Bangladesh, Aug. 28 -- "M.L. Banarani" and "M.L. Banakanya", two century-old pleasure crafts of the Sundarbans that once majestically sailed through the saline waters of the mangrove forest, have been lost forever.

These two luxury water vessels were built to British designs and decorated with Burmese artistic teakwork. The late British Queen Elizabeth II, along with many heads of state and government and numerous VVIPs, visited the Sundarbans aboard these steam-powered vessels.

Instead of being opened to tourists at Karamjal tourist point, the vessels were left uncared for at an undisclosed location for more than a decade for reasons unknown. Despite their archaeological and historical value, they were recently sold at auction by the ...