Alarm bells sounded for Sunderbans ecology

Jayanta Gupta The Times of India 27 Jul 11;

KOLKATA: The West Bengal government needs to be careful. Even as chief minister Mamata Banerjee speaks of developing the Sunderbans into a major tourist attraction, biologists across the globe are concerned about the damage being caused to the fragile ecosystem of the region due to the constant movement of vessels through it.

Research carried out by scientists - including those belonging to the Harvard University - speak of the silent ecological damage that is being caused to the Sunderbans, thanks to the lack of any initiative on the part of the authorities to take firm steps.

"While all attention is paid to the Sunderbans tiger, which is at the top of the food chain, conservationists till now have made little noise about the silent damage that is being caused due to the release of ballast water, spillage of oil and other waste material from vessels passing through the mangroves. The waves created by these vessels inundate the pneumatophores at odd times, causing an imbalance. Unchecked, this will bring an end to the Sunderbans. Many a species may have already disappeared due to this unchecked pollution," a scientist from the ministry of forests and environment said.

Under an existing trade agreement between the governments of India and Bangladesh, barges and coastal ships are given unchecked access through the Sunderbans. Several other ships that call on Bangladeshi ports on their way to India also pass through the mangrove forests. According to studies, over 400 vessels of various size sail through the forest every year, releasing waste oil, ballast water and bilge washings.

"One of the most dangerous pollutants is crude oil and its derivatives. The oil sticks to the leaf surface blocking stomata and affecting photosynthesis, respiration and water metabolism of mangrove plants. Commercial vessels pump sea water into ballast tanks to maintain stability while passing through deep waters. When they approach ports - where the channels are shallow - this ballast water is released. Along with the water, several organisms, foreign to that part of the world, gets introduced to the eco-system. Studies have revealed that several of the organisms released in this fashion are parasitic in nature and destroy indigenous species. Studies in the Bangladeshi part of the Sunderbans have revealed that several new species have been introduced in this manner. These have actually caused immense harm. Unfortunately, no extensive study has been carried out on the Indian side," another biologist noted.

Most countries have restrictions on the release of ballast by foreign vessels along the coast. Unfortunately, the restrictions are not strictly imposed in India. Experts believe that movement of all vessels, save for indigenous ones, should be restricted through the Sunderbans. A few years ago, a company had proposed to develop tourism in the Sunderbans by sending in a large ship with all modern facilities. While the West Bengal government was in agreement, the proposal was shot down by the Centre. Now that Mamata has been talking of developing tourism in the world's largest mangrove delta, better conservation efforts may be needed to ensure that it doesn't disappear from the face of the earth.