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As part of the
Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB),
accepted in the general conference of the UNESCO in 1970, the
Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India adopted the
National MAB programme and declared the entire 9630 sq. km. Of
Sundarban as the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve in 1989 through a
notification to establish a formal mechanism for coordinating and
integrating diverse activities of conservation, research and
training for creating a better situation of harmony between man and
environment. The Sundarbans, due to its unique ecosystem, has also
been declared as a World Heritage site in 1989. Sundarban Biosphere
Reserve has also been included as the second Biosphere Reserve from
India , other than Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, in the global network
of Biosphere Reserves, in November 2001.
Sundarban, the largest delta in
the world, consists of 10,200 sq km of Mangrove Forest , spread
over India (4200 sq km of Reserved Forest) and Bangladesh (6000
sq km approx of Reserved Forest) and is also the largest
Mangrove Forest in the world. Another 5400 sq km of non-forest,
inhabited region in India , along the north and north-western
fringe of mangrove forest, is also known as Sundarban region in
India . Hence, the total area of Sundarban region in India is
9600 sq km which constitutes the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve.
Indian Sundarban is bound on the west by river Muriganga and on
the east by rivers Harinbhanga and Raimangal. Other major rivers
flowing through this eco-system are Saptomukhi, Thakuran, Matla
and Goasaba. |
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Uniqueness of Sundarban Forest |
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Sundarban
Biosphere Reserve was constituted by Government of India (GOI) in
1989 and it received the recognition of UNESCO under its Man and
Biosphere (MAB) Programme in November, 2001. Sundarban National Park
, forming the core area of Sundarban Tiger Reserve, received
recognition as World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987. It has been
nominated by GOI for recognition as Ramsar Site (a wetland of
international importance). Sundarban Tiger Reserve was constituted
by GOI under Project Tiger scheme, in 1973. Sundarban is the only
mangrove forest in the world which is the home of Tiger. Sundarban
Tiger Reserve has the highest tiger population in the world. |
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Importance of Sundarban Ecosystem |
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Sundarban has extremely rich diversity of aquatic and
terrestrial flora and fauna. Sundarban's highly productive ecosystem
acts as a natural fish nursery. Sundarban Mangrove reduces the fury
of cyclonic storm and prevents erosion due to tidal action. Finally,
millions of people depend on Sundarban Ecosystem for their
livelihood and sustenance through fishing, collection of honey and
fuelwood/timber. |
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Topography and Soil |
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Geologically, the Sundarban delta is the largest prograding
delta on the globe. The region is covered solely by quaternary
sediments carried and deposited by the rivers Ganges , Matla &
Bidyadhari. |
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Climate and Rainfall |
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Although the region is situated
south of
the Tropic of Cancer, the temperature is equable due
to its
proximity to the sea. Average annual maximum temperature is around 35 C . Average annual
rainfall is 1920 mm. Average humidity is about 82% which is more
or less uniform throughout the year. |
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Present status of Faunal
Resources |
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Sundarban mangrove forest is the single largest home of the
Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris). Sundarban is also the only
mangrove forest in the world having the tiger as its indigenous
population. As per 2004 census, the tiger population in
Indian Sundarban is around 274, out of which Sundarban Tiger
Reserve and South 24-Parganas Forest Division have 249 Tigers and 25
tigers respectively. There are 58 species of mammals, 55 species of
reptiles and around 248 bird species.
Sundarbans also harbors a good number of rare and globally
threatened animals including Estuarine Crocodile (Crocodilus
porosus), Fishing Cat (Felis viverrina), Common otter (Lutra
lutra), Water Monitor lizard (Varanus salvator),
Gangetic Dolphin
(Platinista gangetica), Snubfin dolphin (Orcella brevirostris),
River Terrapin (Batagur baska), marine turtles like Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas ),
Hawksbill Turtle (Eritmochelys imbricata). Six species of Shark
and Ray, which are found here, are included in Schedule I of
Wildlife (Protection) Act. These indicate that Sundarban Reserved
Forest is a natural biodiversity hot spot.
Other mammals comprise of Wild boars, Spotted deer,
Porcupines and Rhesus macaque. Among the reptiles, the King cobra,
the common cobra, Banded krait, Russells Viper
comprise the
community of venomous reptiles, while the Python, Chequered Kill-Back,
Dhaman , Green Whip Snake and several other species constitute the
non-venomous snakes. |
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