FLORA DIVERSITY

The flora of Sundarban Mangrove Forest consist of a mangal vegetation of littoral i.e. coastal type. According to classification, the Sundarban forest falls under the sub group 4B tidal swamp forest, with sub-divisions namely, Mangrove type 4B/TS1, 4B/TS2, Salt water type mixed forests 4B/TS3, Brackish type 4B/TS4 and Palm type 4B/E1.
In general, the northern boundary and new depositions are characterized by Baen (Avicennia marina, A. alba, A. officinalis) flanked by foreshore grassland of Oryza coarctata (Dhani Grass). Baen is gradually replaced by Genwa (Excoecaria agallocha) and then Goran (Ceriops spp.). The southern and eastern associates include Garjan (Rhizophora spp.), Kankra (Bruguiera spp.), and few patches of Sundari (Heritiera fomes). Hental (Phoenix spp.) forest exists in relatively high land and compact soil. Dhundul (Xylocarpus granatum), Passur (Xylocarpus mekongensis) and (Nipa fruticans) Golpata palm swamps are extremely limited.

Present status of Flora in Sundarban

• True Mangrove species = 26

• Mangrove associates = 29

• Back mangrove species = 29

• Family = 40

• Genera = 60

The global position of the mangrove flora reveals that except India, Myanmar and some countries of SE Asia, the total number of mangal species in a single estuary does not exceed twenty. The Sundarban of India, which forms more than 60 percent of the country’s mangrove reserve, comprises 64 varieties of mangals.