Sundarbans

The Sundarbans is a vast mangrove forest located in the delta region of the Bay of Bengal, stretching across parts of southern Bangladesh and eastern India. It covers roughly 10,000 square kilometers and is formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers. The name derives from the dominant Sundari tree (Heritiera fomes), which gives the area its characteristic landscape.

Ecology and landscape are shaped by tidal rivers, brackish water, and a dense mangrove canopy. The forest provides a complex habitat for a wide range of species and serves as an important buffer against cyclones and coastal erosion. The Sundarbans is renowned for its wildlife, most famously the Royal Bengal Tiger, which moves between forest patches and backwaters. Other notable residents include saltwater crocodiles, spotted deer, various species of monkeys and primates, and a rich avifauna with numerous waterbirds. The delta supports diverse aquatic life, including fish, dolphins, and crustaceans, sustaining local communities that depend on fishing and honey collection.

Conservation and designation have helped protect the area as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflecting its global ecological importance. The Indian portion includes the Sundarbans National Park, while the Bangladesh portion contains protected reserves; together they form a broader biosphere and reserve network. The Sundarbans faces pressures from climate change, deforestation, overfishing, pollution, and extreme weather events, which threaten both the ecosystem and the human communities that rely on it. Ongoing management aims to balance habitat preservation with sustainable use by local residents.