The Sunderbans is a cluster of low-lying islands in Bay of Bengal, spread across India and Bangladesh. It is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world with great biodiversity of both flora and fauna.

Reasons for Its Depletion

Increasing anthropogenic activities along with natural stresses have led to massive degradation of one of India’s World Heritage Site — the Sunderbans. Some anthropogenic causes for its depletion are:

• Over exploitation of forest to meet the growing requirement and illegal removal of Sundri trees for timber and pulp.
  
  
• Commercialisation of Golpata tree in order to produce oil and alcohol for human consumption.
  
  
• The rapidly expanding shrimp farming industry is deteriorating the mangrove forests in the Sunderbans.
  
  
• Mining and Industrial development, agriculture, and aquaculture has led to huge amount of garbage, waste water, pollutants and other effluents discharged into the wetland making it vulnerable.
  
  
• Oil pollution due to spillages has become a serious threat in the Sunderban and is damaging aquatic fauna and seabirds.
  
  
• Conversion for urbanization, dam and road constructions, and Tourism are other reasons. Artificial Plantation is being done for aesthetic purposes, especially at the tourist spots. These plants are competitive and pose a threat to the mangrove.
  
  

Mangrove Conservation Is Vital Because

• They are the breeding and nursery grounds for more than 35 species of reptiles, 270 species of birds, and 42 species of mammals.
  
  
• They are home to around 400 tigers, which is largest in the world.
  
  
• They are a good source of timber, fuel and fodder to coastal communities.
  
  
• They provide coastal protection against wave and wind erosion as well as moderate the impact of storms and cyclones.
  
  

Way forward

Anthropogenic exploitation of resources in Sunderbans can be mitigated by strengthening them with endemic plant and tree species that can thrive in changing salinity conditions and can provide co-benefits to local communities, and providing sustainable alternatives to forest-based livelihoods. Government of India has also taken up many initiatives such as TEEB, Mangroves for the Future etc. to save the mangroves.