DHAKA: A ban on vessel movement through river Shela route in the Sundarbans will come into effect from June after the Mongla-Ghashia channel’s full-swing opening.

Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan disclosed the matter to the journalists at a press conference on vessel movement in Mongla-Ghashia channel in the city on Sunday.

Earlier on December 9, oil tanker Southern Star-7, carrying 357,664 liters of furnace oil, sank in the river Shela near Mongla upazila of Bagerhat district after a cargo vessel hit it from behind.

Following the incident, United Nations (UN) urged Bangladesh government to impose a ‘complete ban’ on the movement of commercial vessels through 10,000 sq km areas of the Sundarbans.

However, the Sundarbans, homes of a number of rare animals including the endangered Royal Bengal Tigers and Irrawaddy dolphins, is a UNESCO-declared world heritage.

BDST: 1551 HRS, MAY 12, 2015
HB/RR/SMS