Sundarbans, a vast forest that is one of the natural wonders of the world. As the largest single mangrove forest in the salty coastal environment, the Sundarbans is the largest continuous forest in the world.
The main plant of the Sundarbans is the Sundari tree. According to experts, this naturally formed forest was named Sundarbans after the Sundari tree. Many also believe that the word ‘sea’ was first ‘Samundarban’ and later ‘Sundarban’ because of its location near the sea.
The Sundarbans was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 6 December 1997. Although its Bangladeshi and Indian parts are actually adjacent parts of the same continuous land mass, they are listed under different names on the UNESCO World Heritage List; ‘Sundarbans’ and ‘Sundarbans National Park’ respectively. 6,517 square kilometers (66%) of the Sundarbans, spread over an area of 10,000 square kilometers, are in Bangladesh and the remaining part (34%) is in India.
Photo#1: Collage photogratphy of the Sundarbans
The Sundarbans have reduced the speed, loss of life and irreparable damage to property caused by cyclones Aila in 2009, Sidr in 2007, Amphan in 2020 and Yas in 2021. Without the Sundarbans, their homes would not have existed during the cyclones and floods. Although there was a lot of damage to the plants and animals in the forest, people’s lives and livelihoods were saved.
According to the Forest Department, the Bangladesh part of the Sundarbans covers an area of 6,170 square kilometers. The Sundarbans are home to 528 species of plants and 505 species of wild animals. These include 49 species of mammals, 87 species of reptiles and 14 species of amphibians. In addition, there are 355 species of birds. According to the 2023 census, there are 136,604 deer, 152,444 monkeys, 47,515 wild boars, 25,124 gannets and 12,241 porcupines in the Sundarbans. In addition, according to the latest survey in 2024, there are 125 tigers in the Sundarbans. (Source: ক্ষতবিক্ষত নৈসর্গিক শ্বাসমূলীয় বন | প্রথম আলো)
Photo#2: Collage photogratphy of animals the Sundarbans
All these biodiversity are constantly under threat due to human ignorance. If this continues, the survival resources of human civilization will also be lost someday. We have become quite capable of breaking this chain of animal ecosystems for personal gain. At the same time, we are recklessly sacrificing our long-term resources of life and livelihood in the hope of small gains.
Photo#3 : The respiratory roots of the trees of the Sundarbans can be called the lungs of the trees, which help them breathe.
Sundarbans Day reminds us that everyone has life to bring ourselves back from this destruction. As we further remember, human civilization does not abandon nature, but life regains a new form in the proximity of nature.
How this Sundarbans Day came about:
The Bangladesh Environment Movement played a significant role in making the Sundarbans Day effective. In 2001, the first National Sundarbans Conference was led by the Environment Movement, led by Khulna University, Khulna’s voluntary organization Pantarpan and 70 other environmental organizations across the country. From this conference, February 14 was declared as Sundarbans Day every year to protect biodiversity. Since then, Sundarbans Day has been celebrated on this day.
How Sundarbans Day is celebrated:
Various day-long programs are being celebrated in 17 upazilas of Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Pirojpur and Barguna, known as the impact zone of the Sundarbans. These include awareness processions, discussion meetings, painting competitions, bicycle rallies, public signature drives, human chains, photography competitions, etc.
The theme for this year’s day is ‘Love the Sundarbans on World Valentine’s Day’.
(Source: https://bangla.thedailystar.net/environment/natural-resources/sundarban-forest/news-651156)
A country is truly prosperous only when its nature and culture are safe. Just as we love our loved ones, we must love our nature. The Sundarbans are not just a forest, they protect us from disasters. They provide oxygen, livelihoods and natural balance. Therefore, it is our responsibility to protect the Sundarbans.
Photo#4: The 200th meet-up of Bangladesh Local Guides was held near the Sundarbans.
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