Sundarbans, Jan 06 (V7N) — Tourist transportation to the Sundarbans has been completely suspended as owners of nearly 400 tourist boats, launches, and trawlers called a strike, protesting what they describe as harassment by the Department of Shipping (Khulna). As a result, tourists arriving from different parts of the country and abroad are being forced to return without visiting the world’s largest mangrove forest.

The situation escalated on Sunday when the Department of Shipping conducted an operation at the Mongla ferry terminal area and dismantled and damaged the upper structures of at least 30 tourist boats. Officials reportedly cut and removed parts of the boats’ superstructures and seized the materials, which boat owners claim has destroyed the aesthetic appeal of the vessels as well as seating arrangements meant for passenger comfort.

In response, affected boat owners announced an indefinite strike, halting all movement of tourist vessels to the Sundarbans from early Monday morning. Since dawn, no tourist boats have entered the forest, and visitors arriving at Mongla’s Picnic Corner from distant districts have been left stranded.

Sajed Rahman, who arrived from Jashore with his family and neighbors, said they had planned a Sundarbans tour but were forced to turn back after learning that all tourist boats were on strike. Tamanna Begum, who traveled from Dinajpur with her family, expressed similar frustration, saying they had no option but to return home as water transport services were completely shut down. Rezaual Karim from Chuknagar in Khulna said a bus carrying 54 people had come for the tour, but the entire trip became futile due to the suspension of vessel operations.

President of the Mongla Port Motorized Boatmen Association, Md. Delwar Hossain, said all vessel owners had jointly decided to stop operations in protest against the Department of Shipping’s actions. He stated that nearly 400 launches, tourist boats, and trawlers are included in the strike. He added that the authorities have imposed several conditions that are financially burdensome and unrealistic for boat owners, warning that vessel operations would remain suspended unless the alleged harassment is stopped.

Md. Azad Kabir, acting officer-in-charge of the Karamjal Tourist Center in the Sundarbans, confirmed that no tourist vessels or visitors have arrived since early Monday. He said boat owners halted services after learning about the enforcement drive carried out by the Department of Shipping on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Khulna Shipping Department Inspector Md. Rashedul Alam said the upper structures of the tourist boats were removed to ensure vessel stability and prevent accidents. He emphasized that the primary objective of the operation was to ensure the safety of tourists traveling to the Sundarbans.

The suspension of tourist transport has raised concerns among visitors and local tourism stakeholders, as uncertainty continues over when normal travel to the Sundarbans will resume.

END/AHS/SMA/