SUNDERBAN TIGERS THREATENED BY CYCLONE “AILA”

Many parts of East India and Bangladesh were hit by cyclone Aila that made 25th of May the beginning of a dark trail for millions. The storm erupted from a depression caused in the Bay of Bengal, and with a velocity of 120 km per hour, it devastated whatever came on its way. Life came to a standstill as the roads were blocked, educational institutions were shut down and flights were canceled.

The cyclone caused a lot of damage to life and property. More than 200 people were killed and around 5,00,000 people were rendered homeless as the cyclone tore into the villages of West Bengal. Floods and mud slides created a havoc since people had to climb up on rooftops to protect themselves from being washed away. Rescue operations intensified as the day progressed, trying to make available food and potable water to every corner of effected area.

Even the Sunderban Forests were not left unhindered as the precious mangrove forests were flooded taking a toll of almost a dozen endangered Royal Bengal Tigers. One of the Tigers, threatened by the havoc created in the Sunderbans, approached the Jamespur Village of West Bengal, to take refuge on the higher lands. But, since the village was already evacuated, not much hue and cry was made on the Tiger's presence. As soon as the water level declined, the Tiger was rescued and calmed.

Apart from the loss of Tigers, the forest officials also fear deaths of many other wild species. The 8 ft water level in the forest area is expected to have engulfed most of the valuable wildlife from the Sunderbans. The assessment of the loss to the Sunderbans will be made only once the water level settles down.