Background Sundarbans Wetland and Mangrove Forest
The Sundarbans is a mangrove area in the delta formed by the confluence of Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna Rivers in the Bay of Bengal. The Sundarbans is a biodiversity hotspot covering an area of about 10,000 km². It is the home of many rare, endangered and critically endangered species. But it is matter of regret that 35 % of mangrove forests have been reduced since 1980s and every year 2.1 % mangroves are decreasing from the world (Ref: FAO 2003) due to peoples’ unsustainable resource harvesting and climate change.
The environmental situation of the wetland is not satisfactory at all as a result of the diverse human activities and natural causes. The Sundarbans resource harvesters (Fisherman, Honey collector and Nipa Collector) adopt unfair means and harvest mangrove resources in an unsustainable way. Illegal hunting and trading of wildlife and timber are problems.