The Serene Beauty of the Sundarbans

Sundarban is a vast forest located along the Bay of Bengal which is one of the natural wonders of the world. Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers in the Bay of Bengal. Spread across parts of India and Bangladesh, this forest is the largest mangrove forest in the world. It extends from the Baleshwar River in Khulna, Bangladesh to the Hooghly River in the Indian state of West Bengal.

Mangrove swamps are dominated by sundari, gewa or gengwa (Exoicaria agallocha), nipa palm (Nipa fruticans), and other halophytic (salt-tolerant) species. The Sundarbans region is famous for harboring various animal species, many of which are rare and endangered. Notably, it is the last surviving Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), which is found there in relative abundance.

Spread over 10,000 square kilometres, 6,517 square kilometers (66%) of the Sundarbans lie in Bangladesh and the rest (34%) in India.

1. UNESCO World Heritage Site: The Sundarbans has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997 due to its significance in terms of biodiversity conservation.
2. Importance: Besides its ecological importance, the Sundarbans plays a crucial role in protecting coastal regions from storms and cyclones, acting as a natural barrier.
3. Tourism: Tourism is also significant in the Sundarbans, attracting visitors interested in eco-tourism, wildlife photography, and exploring the unique mangrove ecosystem. Boat tours and safaris are popular activities.
4. Challenges: The Sundarbans face various challenges including climate change impacts, human-wildlife conflict, and habitat degradation due to human activities such as fishing and wood collection.

Overall, the Sundarbans in Bangladesh is not only a natural wonder but also a critical ecosystem that requires conservation efforts to preserve its biodiversity and ecological functions.