Oill spill threatens rare dolphins in Bangladesh’s Sundarbans region, officials warn
DHAKA, Dec. 12 (NsNewsWire) — Bangladeshi officials have warned that a massive oil spill from a crashed tanker is threatening endangered dolphins and other wildlife in the world’s largest mangrove forest.
The oil tanker was carrying more than 350,000 litres of oil when it collided with another vessel and sank in the Sundarbans’ Shela River, home to the rare Irrawaddy and Ganges dolphins, reports AFP.
“It’s a catastrophe for the delicate ecology of the Sundarbans,” the area’s chief forest official, Amir Hossain, said.
“The oil spill has already blackened the shoreline, threatening trees, plankton, vast populations of small fishes and dolphins.”
Rescue vessels had salvaged the tanker but officials said the damage had been done.
Mr Hossain said the oil had spread over a 60-kilometre area of the Sundarbans, a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site and home to hundreds of Bengal tigers.
The delta comprises a network of rivers and canals.
The accident occurred on Tuesday inside one of three sanctuaries set up for the dolphins, said Rubayat Mansur, Bangladesh head of the New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society.
The three areas were declared dolphin sanctuaries in 2011 after studies found they were home to 6,000 of the species.
Fishing is banned there but tankers and other boats were allowed to pass through.
After visiting the spill spite, Mr Mansur labelled the spill a “national disaster” and accused authorities of not doing enough to contain the damage.
“There are no coordinated efforts to tackle the disaster. The air has become toxic and we got news from fishermen they’ve seen dead fish,” he said.
“Crabs, which make up the largest single group in the forest, are facing the biggest threat.
“And if crabs are hit, the dolphins and tigers will be affected. Dolphins will find it very difficult to breathe this foul air.”
Authorities have launched a small-scale clean-up but warned they lack the hardware and experience for a major effort.