On February 26, we embarked on a journey from Khulna to Baintola in Assasuni District to conduct various measurements crucial for understanding sea level rise, land subsidence, and sedimentation in the low-lying delta of Bangladesh. This trip marked the fourth out of the nine sites in coastal Bangladesh that we planned to visit during this expedition.
Our team, comprised of Austin, Sazzad, and Zohur, traveled in bicycle vans to reach the site, which required an early start at 6 am due to the long distance. Along the way, we passed numerous shrimp farms, where we observed the saltiness of the soil preventing the growth of rice. Fallow fields used for cattle grazing dotted the landscape, with rice cultivation limited to the monsoon season, except for some areas with salt-tolerant rice varieties.
After a challenging journey filled with rough roads and logistical hurdles, we finally arrived at the primary school hosting my GNSS station BNTL, where Sakib from BRAC joined us. Despite some technical issues with the equipment, we managed to collect and download valuable data with the help of EarthScope over the phone.
Later, we transitioned to another site outside the embankment to measure subsidence and sedimentation, facing obstacles such as ongoing dredging activities in the Kobadak River. Our collaboration with local organizations like BRAC and the Forestry Department highlighted the significance of our work for the sustainability of the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest.
Our adventure continued as we set sail to the Sundarbans on the M/V Bawali, experiencing the natural wonders of the world’s largest mangrove forest. From observing wildlife to conducting fieldwork, each day brought new challenges and discoveries, such as the deep auger samples we collected at Hiron Point.
Despite some setbacks, like forgetting our GNSS toolkit and technical glitches, our team persevered and successfully completed our tasks while enjoying the beauty of the Sundarbans. As we navigated through tidal channels and explored the forest, we immersed ourselves in the diverse ecosystem, reinforcing the importance of our research in understanding and preserving this unique natural habitat.
