Illegal Resorts Near the Sundarbans Pose Serious Fire Risks

Abu Hena Mukti

After Cox’s Bazar, worry now turns to the resorts around the Sundarbans. The tourism business around the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world, keeps growing. But many questions arise about how well it protects tourists. People say 24 resorts near the Sundarbans lack the needed approval from the Fire Service, which creates fear of a big fire and loss of life. Concern is growing among those involved about fire safety systems, emergency exits, fire fighting equipment and readiness to handle accidents.

Many tourists come from home and abroad every year to enjoy the natural beauty of the Sundarbans. To serve their stay, food and travel, hotels, resorts, cottages and tourist centers have grown in different areas near the Sundarbans. The growth of tourism helps the local economy. But people fear a big accident can happen at any time if these places do not have enough fire safety.

The number of tourists in the resorts goes up especially in holiday seasons, on weekends and during festivals. If an emergency like a fire starts then, moving everyone out safely, controlling the fire and rescuing the injured can become a big challenge. Sources say a terrible fire recently hit a wooden resort at Inani beach in Cox’s Bazar, and 10 tourists died. After that, deep worry has arisen over the fire safety of 24 eco resorts and tourist centers near the Sundarbans.

These resorts grew right beside the Sundarbans in Khulna. Most of them lack enough fire safety, so people label them as facing extreme fire risk. At the same time, the Department of Environment gave an order about 18 resorts that grew illegally and without approval in an environmentally critical area beside the Sundarbans. It told 10 of them to stop work and remove their structures within 30 days, and eight of them within 15 days.

Reports say about 24 resorts and eco cottages, big and small, have grown in the buffer zone of the Sundarbans and in the environmentally critical area (ECA) near Dakop, Koyra and Mongla upazilas of Khulna. They include Aranyachhaya, Aranyabari, Keorabon, Mayabon, Gahan, The Forest Retreat, Nikunja Valley, La Silva Cottage, Bonobibi, Sundari, Irabati, Bonomali, Golokanon, Piyali, Mangrove, Jongolibari, Bonobas and Bonolata Eco Cottage. In Satkhira district, they include Borsha Resort, Sushilon Resort, Ocean Paradise and Prasad Paradise. In Bagerhat district, they include Tiger Point and Badabon Resort.

Like the Inani beach tragedy, most of these eco resorts in the Sundarbans use natural material such as wood, bamboo, golpata and straw. These burn very easily, and a small mistake can cause a big fire. The resorts ran their business without the needed clearance or valid approval from the Department of Environment. The department clearly said that these resorts stand within the 10 kilometre environmentally critical area of the Sundarbans, so the biodiversity, rivers and whole environment of the forest suffer from encroachment and pollution.

The resort owners demand a clear government policy in response to the closure order. But the administration has started strict legal action to protect the Sundarbans and the lives and property of tourists. Meanwhile, it is urgent to take the needed steps for fire safety, based on the type, size and use of the building and the rules that apply. It is also important to check whether Fire Service approval, clearance or other required papers are needed.

But the claim that 24 resorts near the Sundarbans lack Fire Service approval raises fresh questions about tourist safety. Mr. Azgar Hossain, divisional chairman of the Bangladesh Environment and Human Rights Implementation Society, told Inqilab that people must check whether these resorts have enough fire extinguishers and whether they work. They must also check whether anyone tests the electric connections and kitchen safety on a regular basis. It is also urgent to see whether the resorts keep emergency exits open, train staff on what to do in a fire, and have a plan to move tourists out fast.

He said possible sources of fire in resorts include faulty electric wire, extra electric load, careless use of gas cylinders and kitchens, faulty electric devices and unsafe storage of flammable items. If people do not control these risks well, even a small fire can quickly turn terrible. Mr. Masud Sardar, assistant director of Khulna Fire Service and Civil Defence, said people must take the risk of fire spreading seriously, especially in resorts that build cottages or structures with wood, bamboo, straw or other flammable material. But whether a particular resort uses such material needs a check on the spot.

He said it can be hard to spot a fire quickly at night when tourists sleep. Without enough smoke detectors, alarms, fire fighting equipment and alternative exit routes, the risk of death can rise further. So placing fire extinguishers alone is not enough. Keeping them usable and holding drills on a regular basis is also urgent.

However, Mr. Brajendranath Mondal, leader of the resort owners’ association and owner of Golokanon Resort, said the structures stand beside the Sundarbans, not inside it. They stand in populated areas outside the forest. In his view, these resorts, built by local people, create community tourism, jobs and other ways to earn a living. Instead of closing the resorts, the owners demand a clear government policy.

Mr. Khondokar Mohammad Fazlul Haque, director of the Khulna divisional Department of Environment, said these resorts have no clearance from the department. He said the department has already sent notices to 24 resort authorities. The authorities of 18 of them gave no satisfactory reply, so the department ordered them to close. If they do not follow the order, the department will close them itself.