BAGERHAT: Experts feared that an impact on biodiversity is likely to appear in Sundarbans, following a cargo vessel, carrying 500 tones of fertilizers, sank in River Bhola there Tuesday afternoon.
The fertilizer-laden vessel sank some five months after an oil-tanker capsized in a river in the world’s largest mangrove forest.
Sources of Forest Department said that sunken MV Zabale Nur (M-6943) of M/S Al Ehsan Shipping Lines was traveling to Baghabari of Sirajganj, carrying muriate of potash (MoP) from Harbaria of Mongla.
On its way, it fell trapped in a shoal in Bimal Char area in River Bhola. Later owners sent two other cargos to unload MoP from the trapped one.
As they began offloading the fertilizers, the lower parts of trapped MV Zabale Nur burst, leading the vessel to sink in the river partially, added the sources.
Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Kamal Uddin Ahmed of Sundarbans East Forest Division confirmed the matter to banglanews.
The owners were working to move away the fertilizer from the sunken Vessel, said the ACF.
However, banglanews received various informational on the actual amount of fertilizers, loaded in the sunken cargo.
According to Forest Department sources MV Zabale Nur was carrying around 500 metric tones of MoP while Sarankhola Thana Officer-In-Charge (OC) M Rezul Karim of Bagerhat told banglanews that they heard that there were a total 670 metric tons of MoP in the Vessel.
Meanwhile, experts warned that biodiversity of Sundarbans may face severe damage again as the area, where the cargo sank, is sanctuary to dolphins.
Professor Dr. Dilip Kumar Datta of Environmental Science Discipline at Khunna University said MoP is a poisonous chemical and it may damage aquatic animals, getting mixed with water.
Fertilizer will get mixed with water of the rivers and cannels in Sundarbans, creating damage to environment for fish living, opined Dr Abdullah Al Mamum of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology department at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST).
He said that this incident will have no impact immediately, but it will affect on biodiversity of Sundaarbans in long term.
However, fisheries resources, aerial roots, and aquatic animals will face more harm in short term, according to Abdullah.
Meanwhile, forest authorities warned the cargo owners of taking steps, asking them not to dump the melted MoP into the river water, said Divisional Forest Officer M Amir Hossain of Sundarbans East Division.
Moreover, operation is underway to rescue the sunken Vessel and recover the fertilizers, said Babul Howlader, owner of sunken cargo Vessel.
Earlier on December 9, an oil-tanker, carrying 350,000 litres oil, for a power plant in Gopalganj sank in Shela River near Chandpai range of Sundarbans after being hit by another tanker.
Following the oil-tanker capsize, several committees including that of a United Nation recommended banning on Vessel traffic in waterways through Sundarbans.
BDST: 1052 HRS, MAY 06, 2015
HB/RS
