Deer and many other animals died in the Sundarbans due to Cyclone Rimal. So far 30 dead deer have been recovered from Katka area of the forest alone. Apart from this, 15 more injured deer were rescued by floating. The search is still going on in the forest, the number of dead deer may increase.
On Tuesday (May 28), the forest department recovered the dead deer by searching from morning to noon.
Cyclone Rimal has damaged 25 patrol posts inside the forest. At least 80 fresh water ponds have been damaged due to salt water intrusion. Mihir Kumar Do, Conservator of Forests (CF) of Khulan area, confirmed this information.
He said that since Sunday afternoon, Cyclone Rimal’s rampage and tidal waves have caused extensive damage to the wildlife of the Sundarbans. Apart from the loss of trees, various forest offices of the forest department, including patrol boats, tin sheds, windows and doors, solar panels and infrastructure have been extensively damaged. At this time, the jetty of the office ghat in Cuttack Sanctuary has been washed away in the Bay of Bengal by the tide. The tin sheds of infrastructure including kitchens of 25 patrol posts along with various forest offices including Dubla, Katka, Kochikhali, Bagi were blown away.
He said that so far the forest department has recovered 30 dead deer only from Katka area of the forest. Forest guards are searching the forest for dead wildlife. The search is likely to unearth more dead wildlife.
Chairman of Save the Sundarban Foundation. Sheikh Faridul Islam said that it is important to keep enough high hills and shelters for the wild animals of Sundarbans. Then such corrosion damage can be minimized. Banks of freshwater ponds should also be raised to prevent flood water from entering.
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