‘This forest is keeping us alive. If there was no forest, it would have floated us many more times! Who knew?’ This is how the elderly people who lost everything in the face of the cyclone of the ’70 were talking about the protection walls of the mangrove forest. He said, this forest kept us at bay. The big storm hit the forest before it hit us. Ninety-year-old Abdul Quader Maal kept wiping his eyes while saying the words. The picture of that day seemed to be flashing in his memory. While talking, he drew the scene of the day in front of his eyes.
Abdul Quader Maal has fallen under the weight of age. He was a young man in his forties during the cyclone of the seventies. He got married a few days ago. A small boy came to the house. In the face of the catastrophic cyclone of the seventies, everything went randomly. Fighting strong winds and storms over tree branches did not save the end. He could not save his wife and the child. However, his own life was saved. After that catastrophe stopped, life began anew; from scratch. I was talking with him walking along the village path. He talked about various things in front of the street corner shop. Stupid body; blue check towel tied around the waist. He tried to explain the intensity of the incident with both hands while talking.
His home is in the village of North Manika. It is a village in Charfason upazila south of the island district Bhola. During talks a few more people gathered there. A few more elderly people hang out at Abdur Rashid Dhari's shop on Trimohini Road. Mofidul Islam (54), another Fazle Karim (66), Sahabuddin Mia (62). They added a few more facts to help with Quader Maal's talk.
Shopkeeper Rashid Dhari also narrated some incidents. In the life of each of them there are signs of the catastrophe of that day. They did't want to remember that horrible picture anymore.
What was the cause of so much damage in the cyclone of the ‘70s? As soon as the question was asked, one of them said that there was no embankment; there were no plants. The house was unprotected. Extreme high tides have washed everything away. No one got back the lost farthing. We could not fill the gap. One lamented, now that forest is there; had there was such a forest before, nothing would have been lost that day. How are you safe now? Answering the question, Rashid Dhari said that mangrove forests were planted in many places after the cyclone of 1970. In 50 years those plants have grown much larger. These forests are now our shield. We do not feel the storm due to the forest. Kader Maal said, if there was a forest then, my wife, son would have saved.
Which forest are you talking about? Which forest is keeping the people of this area alive? To ask a question, one of them said- Kukri Mukri forest. This picture is not just of North Char Manika village. The people of other nearby villages have said the same thing. Char Manika, Aicha, Dakshin Aicha, Kachhpia, Shashibhushan, Char Kalmi, Baburhat, Ghosher Hat, Anjurhat and the whole Charfason Upazila; Even the Bhola district is guarded by the mangroves of Kukri Mukri. The manner in which the region suffered extensive damage during the cyclone of the ‘70s. In the same way, the forest is keeping the villages alive in this region. Because of the forest, people's courage has increased. The big storms of the last few years have done no harm to them. So people in this area are not so afraid of signals anymore. People understand the need for forests. So they themselves are planting a lot of backyard.
According to local sources, Kukri Mukri mangrove forest has developed as a natural shield in last 50 years. Considering the diversity and extent of the forest, it is known as the 'Second Sundarbans'. The entire area of Kukri Mukri Union, which covers an area of 8,249 hectares, is surrounded by forests. To reach the island in any direction, one has to enter through a winding canal. Many people come here to enjoy the natural beauty almost in all the season of the year. Kukri Mukri has been providing security to tens of thousands of people and protecting many people and resources in this forest affected area for generations. Concerned people said that without this mangrove, there would have been a lot of damage in the cyclone. Now the storm takes less. People are safe.
Sources said that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman went to Kukri Mukri Island after the catastrophic cyclone of 1970. He urged for extensive afforestation in the interest of the safety of the residents. Since then, the forest department has taken initiative to develop afforestation here. The forest area is increasing day by day due to the joint efforts of the forest department and the local people. Now the area of forest here is about 5 thousand hectares. There are various species of plants including Keora, Chaila, Gewa, Garan, Singra, Sundari, Bain, Khalsa, Golapata. Deer, monkeys, vultures, foxes and various species of birds reign throughout the forest. As far as is known, this forest was ruled by bandits before the eighties. There were many problems in forest protection then. Later the bandits fled, and the management of the forest changed drastically. Outside the forest area, the forest department has planted trees on both sides of the embankment built around Kukri Mukri Island. As a result, the whole island is full of green.
When deforestation is rampant in various areas of the coast; then how is the forest of Kukri Mukri not being destroyed but expanding further? In response to the question, Forest Department Officer of Kukri Mukri Range Saiful Islam said that at one time there were many problems in forest protection. The robbers were annoyed. Fishermen used to cut down forest trees and used them for fishing. Many trees were cut down for the nets. They have been prevented. Awareness has been raised among the people. Several strategies have been adopted here for forest protection. In the meantime, forest protection has become easier as the forest department and the local governments, i.e. the union parishads have worked together. After the construction of the embankment, the locals took the initiative to plant trees on both sides of the embankment.
How did Kukri Mukri forest become a natural protection wall? Responding to the question, the chairman of Kukri Mukri Union Parishad said that the central coastal region was at high risk before the creation of this forest. But now this forest is acting as a natural shield in this area ensuring the safety of human life and property. Without this forest, cyclones would have caused extensive damage. Now the cyclone signal comes frequently. As a result, this forest is more useful for public life. The main magic of forest protection is to raise awareness among the people. Extensive activities were taken from the Union Parishads and Forest Department in this regard. The importance of forests has been explained to the public. Any activity that causes damage to the forest is prohibited here. There are restrictions on fishing in forest canals. We are taking necessary measures to save the birds and give the guest birds a chance to roam freely. Even if tourists come here so as not to damage the forest; we keep an eye on that. Kukri Mukri Mangrove is protected through all these.
Concerned people said that if Kukri Mukri's example of forest protection can be applied to all parts of the coast, natural walls can be built across the coast. Therefore, some strategies have to be taken with public awareness. Through this, people and resources can be saved, the coast will be protected.