Over decades and centuries, India was and still is known for its cultural, architectural, and ecological diversities. India secured 42 projects between 1983 and 2023 to be listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List categorised as Natural, Cultural, and Mixed World Heritage Sites. In 1987, Sundarbans National Park was listed on the World Heritage List meeting two listing criteria with an outstanding universal value (UNESCO).
This National Park, also known as Sunderbunds is an ecological site extending over 10,000 km2 with diverse fauna and flora. This site has 34% of its extension in Bangal northeastern India, while the rest is extended in Bangladesh.
Outstanding Universal Value
Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest worldwide with biologically productive ecosystems, is located on the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers. Within the forest, many species facing extinction threats are living: tigers and water mammals. Moreover, the fauna in the Sundarbans is way too diversified and not limited to Sundari, Avicennia, and Nypa Palms. What gives the park more value are the islands with economic importance.
These islands are considered protective barriers from storms, stabilising the shore, and rich in natural resources. Adding to this, they are natural examples of monsoon rain flooding and delta formation (UNESCO).
Criteria IX and X
With two operational criteria consecutively in 2002 and 2005, the selection process for the UNESCO World Heritage List follows 10 criteria covering natural, cultural, and mixed sites. Sundarbans especially, are meeting the 9th and 10th criteria: These criteria consecutively deal with significant ongoing ecological and biological processes, and site housing threatened species alongside a universal value.
Starting with criterion 9, Sundarbans are the only mangrove forest worldwide where tigers live. The shape of lands there is periodically shaped by tides with erosion and deposition highly occurred by seawater discharging in inner canals – a natural phenomenon buffering against cyclones and considered a nursery for the marine living species (UNESCO).
Moving to the 10th criterion, Sundarbans is considered as of the richest ecosystems in the world housing 78 species. In addition, the Sundarbans host the largest population of tigers and threatened mammals and reptiles alongside marine turtles and primitive horseshoe crab species (UNESCO).
Integrity, Protection, and Management Requirements
Talking about the Sundarbans importance could not end without targeting aspects other than criteria and Universal Value. According to the UNESCO Report “Even though the Park is protected and maintained, the Indian salinity is influenced by the diversion of rivers upstream which cause potential oil spills. Nevertheless, the Park faces conflicts with locals The Tiger Reserve is there for some activities such as fishing”.
Various rules, regulations, and laws concerning the protection and management procedures protect Sundarbans. Laws started to be applied in 1927 with The Indian Forest Act, followed by The Forest Conservation Act in 1980 and the Wildlife Protection Act in 1972, ending with The Environmental Protection Act in 1986 (UNESCO).
The UNESCO World Heritage Conservation mentioned that regular maintenance is carried out based on schedule and following the management plan.
To cut it short, The Forest Department is working on improved property management, a need for alternative livelihoods to reduce the dependence on the existing ecosystem, and reinforced community support through participatory activities.
Interesting Facts About Sundarbans Forest
Several facts are related to Sundarbans National Park, these facts could be resumed to the following: Sundarbans is the largest city in India spanning 4000 km2 with 54 inhabited islands from the 102 existing ones. The forest is the largest in the world with amazing landscapes shared with India and Bangladesh. The forest is accessed by boats giving the tourists a unique experience while exploring the exotic jungle. The forest is a natural home for over 400 Royal Bengal Tigers. Gosaba – the local self-governance island is the largest inhabited city and holds its panchayat, educational, and medical institutions. The area features unique tides that occur twice a day.
The Future of Sundarbans
Critical issues and vital problems are hitting Sundarbans putting actionists on the front line of immediate implementations. According to Mukut Biswas, “ Celebrities, Communities, governments, and funders act only in times of catastrophes. The latest crowd fundraising initiatives occurred after the Amphan and Yaas Super-Cyclones”.
After heavy rains and winds occurred during Aila Storm, The Indian Government initiated a machinery-based Embankment Reconstruction Project after the 400 Km linear damage provoked high rates of salinity in water (National Geographic Staff, 2019).
Acknowledged for its three-dimensional richness and diversity, India has been featured with 42 projects on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 80 years. Sundarbans National Park, crossing the borders from India to reach Bangladesh is the world’s largest mangrove forest to be featured on the List. This site is rich in flora and fauna species: around 400 Royal Bengal Tigers alongside 78 other species. Regardless of the global recognition, the site faces several obstacles such as potential oil spills and people’s confrontation. However, The Sundarbans National Park is protected by rules and legislation including The Environmental Protection Act and many more.
References :
UNESCO. The Selection Criteria. World Heritage Conservation. [Online]. Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/criteria/
UNESCO. Sundarbans National Park. World Heritage Conservation. [Online]. Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/452/
Subhash. (August 01, 2018). 15 Interesting Facts You Must Know About Sundarban Forest. Sundarban National Park. [Online]. Available at: https://www.sunderbannationalpark.in/blog/interesting-facts-about-sunderban-forest/
Biswas, M. (September 20, 2021). The Sundarbans: India Must Protect The World’s Largest Delta From A Dystopian Future, and Now. Down To Earth. [Online]. Available at: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/climate-change/the-sundarbans-india-must-protect-the-world-s-largest-delta-from-a-dystopian-future-and-now-79092
National Geographic Staff. (February 22, 2019). Building Tomorrow In The Sundarbans. National Geographic. [Online]. Available at: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/partner-content-transforming-sundarbans
List of Images
1_Sundarbans. [Photograph]. Available at: https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/314412/sundarbans-tourism-incurs-losses-due-to-3-month
2_Collected. Sundarbans Today. [Photograph]. Available at: https://bangladeshpost.net/posts/sundarbans-reopen-for-tourists-fishermen-today-119737
3_Sundari Trees. [Photograph]. Available at: https://planet.outlookindia.com/opinions/sundari-trees-in-sundarban-delta-are-dying-a-slow-death-is-anyone-listening–news-414349
4_Muller, N. Indian Sundarbans. [Photograph]. Available at:
https://thediplomat.com/2020/05/in-the-indian-sundarbans-the-sea-is-coming/
5_Chakraborty, A. Sundarbans River Dam. [Photograph]. Available at:
https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2020/07/in-14-photos-the-ground-reality-of-the-river-dams-of-sundarbans-in-monsoon/
6_Chakraborty, A. Endangered Life In Sundarbans. [Photograph]. Available at:
https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2020/07/in-14-photos-the-ground-reality-of-the-river-dams-of-sundarbans-in-monsoon/
