The Sundarbans: South Asia’s Disappearing Natural Shield and a Call for Urgent Action
Kolkata, July 28 – Home to over 78 mangrove species, the endangered Royal Bengal Tiger, and countless coastal communities, the Sundarbans is more than just a forest—it’s a lifeline. Spanning the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta, this largest contiguous mangrove forest on Earth extends across southern Bangladesh and the eastern Indian state of West Bengal. With its dense roots binding land against cyclones and surging tides, and its saline ecosystem soaking up carbon emissions, the Sundarbans stands as one of the most crucial natural shields for the subcontinent.
But this ecological wonder is in danger. Climate change, rising sea levels, stronger cyclones, and human encroachment are eroding the region's land, biodiversity, and way of life. While global conservation efforts are underway, experts and communities alike warn that time is running out.
What Makes the Sundarbans Unique?
The name “Sundarbans” comes from the abundant Sundari trees (Heritiera fomes), a keystone mangrove species. The region is defined by:
- A vast deltaic network formed by the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers
- Intertwining tidal waterways, mudflats, and tiny islands
- A mix of saline and freshwater habitats supporting rare wildlife
The Sundarbans is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and a Ramsar wetland of international importance, underscoring its global ecological significance.
Biodiversity Hotspot and Climate Buffer
The Sundarbans hosts:
- The Royal Bengal Tiger, an endangered and elusive apex predator
- Irrawaddy and Ganges River dolphins
- Saltwater crocodiles, mudskippers, and horseshoe crabs
- Hundreds of species of birds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles
The mangrove ecosystem plays a critical role in carbon sequestration, helping mitigate climate change, while acting as a natural barrier against storms like Cyclone Amphan (2020), Yaas (2021), and Remal (2024). The roots trap sediments, reduce coastal erosion, and absorb wave energy—saving thousands of inland lives and properties each year.
The Human Face of the Sundarbans
Yet for the people of the Sundarbans, life is far from idyllic. Spread across more than 100 islands, many communities remain off the power grid, dependent on solar power, and isolated during floods. Their livelihoods—fishing, crab hunting, honey collection, and agriculture—are highly vulnerable to the shifting climate.
In places like Bali Island, electricity is often a luxury. Frequent storms destroy homes, flood fields, and erode soil. In the wake of Cyclone Remal earlier this year, hundreds were displaced. With disaster recovery slow and often underfunded, locals are trapped between bans, debt, and dwindling income options.
Climate Change: A Constant Crisis
The region faces some of the most acute effects of climate change:
- Sea-level rise is swallowing entire islands
- Salinisation of soil and water threatens agriculture
- Stronger cyclones uproot trees, devastate villages, and breach embankments
- Flooding and erosion damage homes and livelihoods
These crises push families into forced migration. Repeated displacement and loss of land have made many environmental refugees, a growing phenomenon in South Asia.
Community-led Solutions: Hope Amid Crisis
Despite immense challenges, the region is also a model of resilience and innovation. Several community-based and government-led initiatives are offering a glimmer of hope:
1. Joint Mangrove Management (JMM)
Launched by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) and state forest departments, JMM engages local communities in mangrove plantation, protection, and sustainable usage.
2. Grassroots Leaders Like Anil Mistry
A conservationist born and raised in the Sundarbans, Mistry has helped residents shift to sustainable livelihoods—such as handicrafts, honey production, and eco-tourism—reducing reliance on forest exploitation.
3. NGO-Led Green Projects
- Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS), in partnership with Livelihoods Venture, has planted over 16 million mangrove saplings since 2011 to strengthen man-made embankments.
- MUKTI, a local NGO, offers interest-free loans, women’s skill development, and education programs.
- Sundarban Foundation supports underprivileged women and children affected by disasters and tiger attacks.
Government and International Efforts
India
- In the 2025–26 Union Budget, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change was allocated ₹3,412.82 crore—9% higher than the previous year.
- West Bengal's Forest Department and NGOs planted over 75,000 saplings across 25 villages, with plans for 4 crore more trees.
- Over 4,000 hectares were restored through mangrove and Jhaw plantations by the Department of Sundarban Affairs.
Bangladesh
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Cross-border projects like climate-smart villages bring together farmers, scientists, and policymakers to adopt resilient agricultural techniques.
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The Bangladesh Forest Department, supported by international donors, runs mangrove restoration and disaster preparedness programs across the coastal belt.
Women at the Heart of Change
Women in the Sundarbans are increasingly leading the sustainability drive:
- Running nurseries for mangrove saplings
- Producing organic honey, paper bags, and eco-friendly crafts
- Participating in disaster preparedness training
These efforts create alternative incomes, empower women, and reduce the need for illegal forest exploitation.
What Needs to Happen Next?
Despite promising signs, experts warn that piecemeal projects and budget increases are not enough. Key actions include:
- Stronger climate adaptation planning at both local and national levels
- Faster rehabilitation efforts after natural disasters
- Expansion of solar and sustainable energy
- Protection of biodiversity through enforcement of conservation laws
- Community inclusion in all climate and conservation policies
- Cross-border collaboration between India and Bangladesh on data-sharing, early-warning systems, and joint restoration
A Global Responsibility
The Sundarbans is more than a local concern. Its preservation is a global imperative. The delta’s mangroves act as one of the largest carbon sinks in South Asia, making it a frontline defence in the fight against global warming.
With millions depending on its protection, the world must act collectively to fund, monitor, and support climate adaptation, conservation, and livelihood diversification in the region.
Reader Takeaway
The Sundarbans is not just a forest—it is a living, breathing ecosystem, a cultural tapestry, and a bastion against climate disaster. It needs more than awareness; it needs urgent, sustained action from governments, citizens, and the international community.
If the tide turns in the Sundarbans, it could change the future for millions in South Asia—and serve as a beacon of hope for climate resilience worldwide.
