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About Sundarbans
The Sundarbans, a vast area of mangrove forests situated in the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna Rivers in the Bay of Bengal, is the largest mangrove forest in the world, covering an area of about 10,000 km2. The Sundarbans Reserve Forest (SRF) of Bangladesh spans from the Baleswar River to the Hooghly River in India’s state of West Bengal, comprising both closed and open mangrove forests, land for agricultural use, mudflats, and barren land. It is intersected by several tidal streams and channels and is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including 453 fauna species, such as 290 bird, 120 fish, 42 mammal, 35 reptile, and eight amphibian species. The most common tree species found in the Sundarbans are the sundri (Heritiera fomes) and gewa (Excoecaria agallocha).
However, despite being recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the implementation of protective measures by the governments, the Sundarbans are facing a variety of threats. Cyclones, such as Cyclone Sidr and Cyclone Aila, have caused significant damage to the forest. Rising sea levels, caused by climate change, and the resulting increased salinity are also affecting the ecosystem negatively. Additionally, a proposed coal-fired Rampal power station, located 14 km north of the Sundarbans in Bangladesh, is predicted to cause further damage to the mangrove forest. Human activities, such as poaching and habitat destruction, also pose a threat to the wildlife in the area.
Experts suggest that further focus should be given to mangrove restoration and management, and advocating for adaptation of human populations, through processes like managed retreat and investments in resilient infrastructure. It is crucial to take immediate action to protect this unique ecosystem, which is not only an important habitat for wildlife but also provides significant ecological, social, and economic benefits to the region.
Etymology of Sundarban
The name “Sundarban” is derived from the Bengali words “Sundar” meaning beautiful and “ban” meaning forest. Thus, the term Sundarban translates to “beautiful forest.” The name is an apt description of the area, as the Sundarbans are renowned for their stunning natural beauty, with dense mangrove forests, numerous waterways, and diverse wildlife. The name “Sundarban” has been in use for centuries and was first recorded in writing by a Portuguese sailor named Barbosa in the 16th century. Over time, the name became widely recognized and is now used to refer to the entire region encompassing the mangrove forests in the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna Rivers in the Bay of Bengal.
History of Sundarban
The history of Sundarbans is intertwined with the history of the people who have inhabited the region for centuries. The earliest human settlements in the Sundarbans can be traced back to the 3rd century BC when it was under the rule of the Mauryan Empire. The region was an important center for trade and commerce during the ancient and medieval periods, with traders from different parts of the world arriving in search of goods such as salt, honey, wax, and timber.
The Sundarbans also played a significant role in the development of the Mughal Empire in India. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Mughal Emperor Akbar recognized the strategic importance of the Sundarbans and established a naval base in the region. The naval base was used to protect the empire’s trade routes and to launch expeditions against pirates and other enemies.
During the British colonial period, the Sundarbans were recognized for their economic value as a source of timber, honey, and other forest products. The British established several forestry departments to manage the forests and encouraged the establishment of large-scale agriculture in the region. The cultivation of crops such as rice and jute transformed the Sundarbans into a major agricultural center, with the region becoming one of the largest producers of these crops in the world.
In the early 20th century, the Sundarbans became the center of the movement for Indian independence. The Indian National Congress and other political parties organized rallies and protests in the region, calling for an end to British colonial rule. The Sundarbans also played a crucial role in the formation of the state of Bangladesh, with the region being a key battleground during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.
Today, the Sundarbans are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are protected by both the Indian and Bangladeshi governments. The region is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including the Bengal tiger, saltwater crocodile, and several species of birds and fish. The Sundarbans are also an important source of livelihood for the people who live in the region, with fishing, honey harvesting, and ecotourism being major industries. However, the Sundarbans face several threats, including climate change, rising sea levels, and human encroachment, which have the potential to disrupt the delicate ecological balance of the region.
Geography about Sundarban
Sundarbans is a vast and complex area located in the delta formed by the confluence of three major rivers – the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna, in the Bay of Bengal. The region encompasses an area of around 10,000 sq km, stretching across two countries, India and Bangladesh. The Sundarbans Reserve Forest (SRF) of Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world, while the Indian Sundarbans form the largest tiger reserve and national park in the country.
The Sundarbans is a dynamic ecosystem consisting of closed and open mangrove forests, mudflats, intertidal areas, and barren lands intersected by multiple tidal streams and channels. The mangrove forests cover about 4,110 sq km in Bangladesh and 2,580 sq km in India, forming an intricate network of waterways and islands.
The terrain of Sundarbans is unique, with about 80% of the area being inundated by water during high tide. The region is characterized by its extensive tidal mudflats, sandy beaches, and salt marshes, which are flooded twice a day by the tides. The tidal range in the Sundarbans is one of the highest in the world, with tides varying between 3-5 meters.
The Sundarbans is also home to several large and small islands, including the largest one, Sagar Island, located at the mouth of the Hooghly River in India. The islands in the Sundarbans are primarily composed of sedimentary deposits, with the soil consisting of silt and clay deposits. The vegetation in the Sundarbans is dominated by a few species of mangrove trees, including the Sundari (Heritiera fomes), Gewa (Excoecaria agallocha), Keora (Sonneratia apetala), and Goran (Ceriops decandra).
The Sundarbans is rich in biodiversity and is home to a wide range of flora and fauna. The mangrove forests provide habitat to a variety of species, including 453 wildlife species, including the Royal Bengal tiger, saltwater crocodile, Indian python, Indian cobra, spotted deer, and various species of birds and fish. However, the Sundarbans is facing multiple threats, including climate change, rising sea levels, and human activities such as deforestation, poaching, and overfishing.
Physiography of Sundarban
The Sundarbans is a vast deltaic archipelago that covers an area of approximately 10,000 square kilometers across India and Bangladesh. It is formed by the confluence of three rivers: the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna. The deltaic region is characterized by a complex network of tidal rivers, creeks, and canals that meander through the dense mangrove forests, forming an intricate labyrinthine system.
The physiography of the Sundarbans is shaped by a dynamic interplay between land and water. The region is constantly undergoing changes due to the ebb and flow of tides and the deposition and erosion of sediments. The islands of the Sundarbans are classified into two types: elevated islands and low-lying islands.
The elevated islands are composed of relatively higher grounds, which are generally above the reach of the highest tides. These islands are mostly covered by dense mangrove forests and are home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. Some of the prominent elevated islands in the Indian Sundarbans include Sagar, Jambudwip, Lothian, and Ghoramara.
The low-lying islands, on the other hand, are characterized by their relatively flat topography and are mostly submerged under water during high tides. These islands are formed by the deposition of sediments carried by the rivers and the tides. The low-lying islands are home to a variety of aquatic fauna, such as fish, crabs, and mollusks. Some of the prominent low-lying islands in the Indian Sundarbans include Mousuni, Baliara, and Lohachara.
The Sundarbans also comprises a network of intertidal mudflats and creeks, which are important habitats for a variety of aquatic fauna, such as prawns, crabs, and mollusks. The intertidal mudflats are also important feeding grounds for a variety of migratory birds, such as sandpipers, plovers, and curlews.
Overall, the physiography of the Sundarbans is shaped by a unique combination of land and water, which gives rise to a rich and diverse ecosystem that is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. The region’s complex network of rivers, creeks, and canals, combined with its dense mangrove forests and intertidal mudflats, makes it a truly unique and majestic wonder of nature.