Fishers and wood collectors were allowed to re-enter the Sundarbans on Tuesday after a three-month closure, with entry passes issued for fishing and ecotourism activities. In the Satkhira Range, 159 passes had been issued by noon, allowing more than 400 forest-dependent workers to enter. Persistent rain and adverse weather, however, delayed many departures and kept tourist numbers low on the first day.

Authorities renewed 2,938 boat licence certificates across four stations in the Satkhira Range for the current season. The Kolagachhi and Dobeki ecotourism centres are ready for visitors, according to Assistant Forest Conservator Mashieur Rahman, who said tourist traffic could rise when weather conditions improve. A fisherman from Shyamnagar said workers must enter the forest despite storms because fishing in the Sundarbans sustains their households.

Workers also voiced fears of water and forest bandits, while alleging that brokers collected extra money beyond official costs during boat licence renewal. Forest officials said joint patrols with the Coast Guard continued during the closure and remain ongoing. Access is closed annually from June 1 to August 31 to protect fish breeding and biodiversity.