Sundarbans Shrinking: Climate Change Threatens World's Largest Mangrove Forest

The Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest and UNESCO World Heritage site, is under intense danger from sea-level rise and coastal erosion. A recent report indicates that about 4% (9,990 hectares) of the forest has been lost through land erosion in recent years. The coastline is eroding by as much as 200 meters each year, with many islands disappearing and others left deserted because of increasing seas. The environmental damage is estimated to cost $107 million annually. The forest's sensitive ecosystem, where rare animals such as Bengal tigers and Ganges dolphins are found, is threatened. The local population is also impacted, with most turning into "climate refugees" because increasing salinity affects livelihood. Experts say that destruction of this natural barrier may expose coastal regions to cyclones and tsunamis.

Sources: Deutsche Welle, Wikipedia, March 14, 2025