That a number of environmental organisations have been observing the Sundarbans Day each year on February 14 since 2001 is not widely known. The reason for this is the limited publicity the day's observance receives with the government yet to recognise the day officially. So, the environmental groups arrange the observance in coastal districts such as Khulna and Bagerhat. This is surprising that successive governments have failed to find merit in designating it as a national day for so long. Even the British rulers declared the forest government property as early as 1817. Even the Bangladesh part of the Sundarbans received the UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation) recognition as a world heritage site 10 years later in 1997 than the Indian site's recognition. But the Bangladesh part of the forest is larger with roughly 60 per cent of the world's largest mangrove forest. 

The official apathy towards conservation of not only the Sundarbans alone but also other forests and ancient relics is entrenched in the mindset of those in charge of saving the heritages. Overexploitation of forest resources and leaving open the cargo routes close to the mangrove have combined together to pose a serious threat. There are incidents of cargo vessels and oil tankers sinking in the neighbouring river and the subsequent oil spill causing environmental pollution. Add to this the use of poisonous bait for fishing, the picture that unfolds is really nightmarish. Yet another problem that has been recurring in recent times is the forest fire. The manpower now engaged in keeping vigilance over such illegal activities including poaching seems to be inadequate. Also, people without orientation for Nature may not do their job well. The foresters who are posted for the job of conservation must be passionate about their protective role.

In fact, under the British rule, the seed of conservation of the mangrove was laid when it was recognised a government-protected forest early in the 19th century. Now that environmental groups are numerous, the issue of the forest's conservation should have received the official recognition. The status of the UNESCO World Heritage Site will disintegrate if stringent protective measures are not taken immediately. With a smaller share of the forest, the tigers in the Indian side are well taken care of. This is clear from the tiger census that found a larger number of tigers inhabiting there. 

Now some environmental and research organisations have announced that a three-day Sundarbans summit would be held from April 23 points to the fact that such entities are taking the conservation issue seriously. The Sundarbans has been protecting the coastal belt in the country's south and west, now is the time to save that forest against the backdrop of climate change. Disintegration and disappearance of the Sunderbans will not only seriously affect that coastal belt but also the entire country. Against cyclones and tidal bores, the forest has acted as the first line of defence. If that defence crumbles, any cyclone of Sidr or Aila's order will lay waste to a significant portion of the mainland Bangladesh. Also, the loss of $55 billion the forest contributes to the economy and livelihoods of 3.5 million to 5.0 million people will prove devastating. Let the conference be successful in drawing attention to the critical need for protection of the Sundarbans in a method based on advanced science and technology.