**Sundarbans Reopens to Tourists After Three‑Month Closure**
*Dhaka, 1 September 2026* – The Sundarbans mangrove forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site, reopened to tourists, local residents, and forest‑dependent communities on Tuesday, 1 September, after a three‑month seasonal closure. The first day of the reopening coincided with heavy rain and strong winds, which limited the number of visitors able to enter the forest.
**Visitor Numbers and Issued Passes**
According to Mohammad Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Bagherhat Sundarbans East Division, approximately 300 domestic and foreign tourists arrived at the forest on the opening day. Mashiur Rahman, Assistant Forest Ranger for the Satkhira Range, reported that by 2 p.m. a total of 159 boat passes had been issued, allowing more than 400 members of the Jela and Bawali communities to access the protected area.
**Preparations for Eco‑Tourism**
The Satkhira Range has renewed 2,938 boat‑license certificates (BLCs) for the current season, facilitating both fishing and eco‑tourism activities. The Kolagachhi and Dobeki eco‑tourism centers have also been readied for visitor use.
**Seasonal Restrictions**
Under the forest department’s annual management plan, all activities such as entry, fishing, crab collection, honey gathering, and tourism are prohibited from 1 June to 31 August each year. The restriction is intended to protect wildlife breeding and migration patterns. With the ban lifted on 1 September, these activities have resumed, although inclement weather delayed many tourists from venturing inland on the first day.
**Local Feedback**
Tourists from Dhaka, identified as Munia and Imran Hossain, said they traveled to view the Sundarbans’ scenery but were unable to enter the forest due to the rain and wind. They expressed hope to explore the area the following day if conditions improve. Officials at several resorts in the Munshiganj area of the Satkhira Range noted that, despite guest arrivals, many could not proceed into the forest because of the adverse weather.
**Security and Enforcement**
Ranger Mashiur Rahman confirmed that joint patrols with the Coast Guard are ongoing inside the forest to safeguard both the Jela communities and forest personnel. He added that any credible information about poaching or piracy will be acted upon promptly.
**Impact of the Closure on Wildlife**
The Bagherhat East Division reported that the three‑month closure reduced human disturbance and boat traffic, creating a relatively tranquil environment for wildlife. According to departmental data, 63 anti‑poaching operations were conducted between June and August. These operations resulted in 39 legal cases, the arrest of 37 individuals, and the seizure of:
* 12 motorized trawlers
* 50 boats
* 55 fishing nets
* 28 bottles and 2 litres of toxic liquid
* 6,290 deer‑hunting traps
Additionally, authorities recovered 186 kg of poisonous fish, 736 kg of crabs, 1,562 kg of “charu” (a local fish species), 2,000 kg of “bora” (another fish species), 170 kg of honey, and two containers holding a total of five kilograms of “shunti” fish.
**Ongoing Monitoring**
The forest division emphasized that entry permits will continue to be issued only to authorized individuals, boat movements will be regulated, and access for forest‑dependent communities will be managed. Enhanced surveillance measures are in place to protect the Sundarbans’ biodiversity.
**Background on Seasonal Closures**
The practice of closing the Sundarbans to the public began in 2019, initially restricting access from 1 July to 31 August. In 2022, the prohibited period was extended to start on 1 June, aligning with the peak breeding season for many species.
*Report compiled from statements by forest officials and on‑site observations.*
Article and image source: bd-journal.com
