Mongla, Mar 21 (V7N)– Environmental activists held a sit-in protest in the mangrove forest of Mongla Government College on Friday, March 21, demanding urgent action to protect the Sundarbans. The protest, held on International Day of Forests, highlighted the growing threats to the world's largest mangrove forest, including pollution, wildlife crime, and deforestation.

The activists called for an immediate end to all wildlife killings in the Sundarbans, including the poisoning of fish and deer hunting, and the cancellation of deforestation projects. They also raised concerns about the impact of the Rampal Power Plant's coal pollution on the Pashur River and the Sundarbans.

"To protect the Sundarbans, pollution control and wildlife crime must be curbed. Poison polluters and deer hunters have become reckless in the rivers and canals of the Sundarbans," said a spokesperson for the organizers.

The sit-in action was organized by Dharitree Raksha Amara (Dhara), Sundarban Raksha Amara, Pashur River Waterkeeper, and Service Bangladesh.

"The area of the Sundarbans is shrinking due to the aggressive attitude of land robbers. The rivers of Pashur and the Sundarbans are also affected by coal pollution from the Rampal Power Plant," said Pashur River Waterkeeper Md. Nur Alam Sheikh, coordinator of AMR for the protection of the Sundarbans, who presided over the event.

Other speakers, including Service Bangladesh President Mostafizur Rahman Milon and Dhara leader Kamala Sarkar, emphasized the devastating effects of coal, poison, and plastic pollution on the Sundarbans' biodiversity. They urged authorities to close the Rampal Power Plant and halt reckless industrialization in the Sundarbans' buffer zone.

"Biodiversity in the Sundarbans is being destroyed due to coal, poison and plastic pollution. We must take an oath to protect the Sundarbans on International Forest Day," said environmental activist Mostafizur Rahman Milon.

The protesters underscored the Sundarbans' crucial role in protecting Bangladesh from natural disasters and called for greater government action to safeguard the forest's future.

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