The forest department reports that Cyclone Remal devastated over two crore trees and plants on 27,300 hectares of forest area in Patuakhali and Barguna.
The Patuakhali Coastal Forest Division reports that the losses have cost over Tk 11 crore, with Tk 3.15 crore in Barguna and Tk 7.90 crore in Patuakhali.
Divisional Forest Officer Md Shafiqul Islam states that there are 91,000 hectares of forest land in Patuakhali and Barguna, including 36,136 hectares of reserve forest.
He claimed that the damage to forest resources included 1.08 crore forest seedlings, 19.40 lakh nursery seedlings, and 68,25 lakh trees and plants in natural forests.
He stated that steps will be done to alleviate the damages and that the list of damages has been forwarded to the higher authorities.
The wind speed at its peak, 114.7 km/h, was measured by the Patuakhali Met office during Remal. The storm originally hit with great velocity the coastal areas, the Haringhata and Fatara forests in Barguna, and the Gangamati and Sonarchar in Patuakhali.
Locals claim that because of these forest flora, the area has sustained less damage.
Shafiqul Islam Khokon, a Barguna native, stated: “The Pathorghata reserved forests safeguard us against cyclones, floods, and other natural calamities.” This year, Cyclone Remal did a great deal of damage. The forest needs to be conserved in order for us to survive.”
Fisherman Tunu Mia from the Kuakata neighborhood of Patuakhali claimed that the area’s reserve forests protect locals from many forms of devastation. “These forests save us, like a friend,” he said.
Initiatives for replanting would be put into place, according to Kalapara Forest Range Officer Monirul Haque, to mitigate such harm.
Members Secretary of the national organization “Dhoritree Rokkhay Amra,” Sharif Jamil, stated: “The only way to keep the coast safe from natural disasters is to plant more trees.
