After nearly five months of closure due to Covid restrictions, the Forest Department is reopening the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest and a Unesco World Heritage Site, on September 1.

The decision was taken yesterday at a meeting between leaders of the Forest Department and the Tour Operators Association of Sundarbans, Khulna.

M Nazmul Azam, general secretary of Tour Operators Association, confirmed the information to UNB.

However, it won't be business as usual as the Forest Department has given some rules and conditions before reopening the forest for tourists.

Forest Conservator of Khulna Region, Mihir Kumar said the Sundarbans will be opened to tourists from September 1 following the "Sundarbans Travel" policy approved by the Cabinet.

"Each launch cannot carry more than 75 passengers. Distancing and hygiene must be maintained. Appropriate sanitizer should be provided," he said, referring to some of the new rules and conditions to be followed.

"The Forest Department will take legal action against any tour operator carrying more tourists or disrupting the environment by violating the said policy," he added.