S.M. Saiful Islam Kabir,  Sundarbans

 On the coast of the World Heritage Sundarbans, the village of Sonatala in Sharankhola upazila of Bagerhat district adjacent to the Sundarbans is plagued by the rampage of wild boars, putting biodiversity at risk. 

Every night, wild boars descend in groups on the village's crop fields. They are causing massive damage to crops such as rice, vegetables, and watermelon. As a result, farmers are facing severe financial losses.

Local farmers said, “Whatever we earn during the day, the boars finish it off at night.”
Farmers are making similar complaints. Some are being forced to harvest their crops early or stop farming altogether. Many are guarding their fields at night, risking their lives to protect their crops.

Local BNP president Md. Shahidul Alam Liton said, “Although this problem has existed for a long time, it has recently increased. We have filed complaints with the Forest Department, but they are not taking action.”

Sharankhola Range Assistant Conservator of Forests, Range Officer Rana Dev said, “Due to the Wildlife Protection Act, wild boars cannot be killed. However, we are taking preventive measures to ensure the safety of villagers, and in the settlements adjacent to the Sundarbans, we are constructing fencing barriers. We are taking steps to complete the work quickly so that wild animals stop entering localities.”

The locals demand that the government and the Forest Department take effective measures quickly. Otherwise, agriculture in the villages adjacent to the Sundarbans will be destroyed, and people’s lives and livelihoods will be at risk.