Expressing concern over the capsize of an oil tanker, UNDP Bangladesh yesterday said the accident once again highlights the need for a complete ban on the movement of all commercial vessels through the Sundarbans.

Pauline Tamesis, country director of UNDP Bangladesh, in a statement said: "Global experience shows that this kind of incident has long term environmental consequences and it requires coordinated multisectoral efforts to restore the affected areas."

It may also affect the people dependent on the water bodies around the forest, she added. "We're consulting with government, national and international partners to explore ways we can help government minimise the damage and rehabilitate this globally significant natural heritage."

The oil spill happened near the Chadpai Wildlife Sanctuary - the largest aquatic protected area declared by the Bangladesh government and home of two threatened dolphin species: Ganges Dolphin and Irrawaddy Dolphin.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), however, appreciated the government's decision to shut down the Shale River route temporarily to all vessels as reported in newspapers.

The OT Southern Star 7, carrying some 3.57 lakh litres of furnace oil, sank in the river at Mrigmari under the East Zone of the Sundarbans after being hit by cargo vessel Total Cargo at 5:00am on Tuesday.