Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- World Bank has assured the Bangladesh government of continuing its support to biodiversity and ecosystem conservation and sustainable development in the Sundarbans, the world’s single largest mangrove forest.
In response to government’s request, the World Bank helps preparation of various studies to enable the government to develop a holistic program for the Sundarbans. The studies are expected to be completed by September 2011, a World Bank press statement said.
Bangladesh and India share the world’s largest mangrove forest Sundarbans and sixty-two percent of the Sundarbans falls in Bangladesh. Due to its rich biodiversity and unique ecosystem, the ecological importance of the Sundarbans Reserve Forest (SRF) is immense.
The Sundarbans is home to an estimated 425 species of wildlife, including 300 species of birds and 42 species of mammals, as well as the Royal Bengal Tiger.
Over 3.5 million people live in the Sundarbans Ecologically Critical Area (ECA), with no permanent settlement within the Sundarbans Reserve Forest.
Among them, about 1.2 million people directly depend on the Sundarbans for their livelihoods. Most of these people are Bowalis (wood cutters/golpatta collectors), fishermen, crab and shell collectors, Mowalis (honey collectors) and shrimp fry collectors and mostly women and children.
A World Bank team visited Bangladesh in June this year to prepare the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the studies and to discuss setting-up of two national committees to ensure the quality of the studies and coordinate closely with the study team.
The studies will take into consideration existing programs, studies and information available. The World Bank earlier facilitated wide consultation with government agencies, development partners and research institutions involved in the Sundarbans areas to prepare the Concept Note.
BBN/SS/SI/AD-02Aug.10-10:07 am (BST)
