Bangladesh has banned tree-felling in its Sundarbans mangrove forest, which is also shared by neighbouring India. Bangladesh's forest and environment minister, Shahjahan Siraj, said: "We must protect our natural forests to balance the biodiversity." There had been reports of illegal logging in the Sunderbans to collect timber for firewood and making furniture. This is causing serious damage to the ecological balance as well as disturbing the natural habitat of some of the endangered species." He added thatfrom now on the only activity allowed in the forest would be the gathering of wild honey.
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