The Sundarbans region encompasses over 10,000 km2 of land and water located between India and Bangladesh, situated within the largest delta in the world formed by the sediment of three major rivers: the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna. The central area, located in West Bengal (India), was designated as Sundarbans National Park in 1984 and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Nestled in an area frequently battered by intense cyclones and tidal waves that can reach heights of 75 meters, the Sundarbans serve as a protective barrier for the inland regions against these natural disasters. The low mangrove forests, saltwater forests, coastal forests, and sandy vegetation provide habitat for a diverse array of wildlife.
Most importantly, this region is home to the largest population of Bengal tigers in India, with an estimated 264 individuals in 1983. Various species of aquatic mammals, such as the Ganges river dolphin, Indian Ocean humpback dolphin, and finless porpoise, also inhabit these waters. As a site of some of the most intense conflicts between humans and nature, the Sundarbans symbolize humanity’s determination to save the Bengal tiger from extinction.
