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Why are the Sundarbans protected by India and Bangladesh?

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Physical map showing the Brahmaputra and Ganges river basins and their drainage networks across northern India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet (China), and Myanmar. The map uses color shading to indicate elevation, from the high Himalayas in brown and white to lowland plains in green, and marks major rivers, tributaries, glaciers, dams, irrigated areas, and regions subject to flooding. An inset locator map highlights the region within South Asia. — Ganges River The Brahmaputra and Ganges river basins and their drainage network.

The Sundarbans are protected by India and Bangladesh primarily to preserve their status as a vital biosphere reserve and a World Heritage site that harbors immense biodiversity. As the world’s largest mangrove forest, the region serves as a critical refuge for numerous rare and endangered species, most notably the Bengal tiger, which has uniquely adapted to a semiaquatic life in the delta.12

Beyond its role as a habitat for diverse fauna—including Ganges river dolphins, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species—the ecosystem provides essential environmental services. The mangrove forests act as a natural buffer against tropical cyclones, protecting inland areas from storm surges. Conservation efforts, such as the establishment of the Sundarbans National Park and various wildlife sanctuaries, are essential to mitigate threats from climate change, rising sea levels, and human activities like illegal logging, poaching, and industrial pollution that endanger this fragile environment.12