Khulna, Sept. 1 -- The Sundarbans reopened to tourists and forest-dependent people on Tuesday after a three-month ban imposed to protect fish breeding and preserve the biodiversity of the world's largest mangrove forest.

Fishermen and other forest-dependent people from villages and upazilas adjacent to the Sundarbans have completed preparations to return to the forest with valid passes and permits to catch fish and crabs.

The reopening has brought relief to thousands of families who depend directly or indirectly on the forest for their livelihoods after remaining without work for three months.

However, concerns over security remain among the them particularly regarding extortion, harassment and possible abductions by forest criminals....