Sundarbans: The Largest Mangrove Forest

Sundarbans is the world's largest mangrove forest area.

Sundarbans lies in the Ganges Delta across India and Bangladesh.

Mangrove forests in Sundarbans shield millions from cyclone flooding.

Sundarbans covers 6,017 square kilometres in Bangladesh's Khulna Division.

Indian Sundarbans extend over 4,260 square kilometres in West Bengal.

Sundarbans includes closed mangrove forests, mudflats, and tidal channels.

Sundri or Heritiera fomes is the most common local mangrove tree.

Sundarbans hosts 453 animal species including 290 birds and 42 mammals.

Bengal tiger shares Sundarbans with crocodiles, snakes, and chital deer.

Cyclone Sidr damaged 40 percent of Sundarbans forest in 2007.

Sea level rise is increasing Sundarbans' salinity and ecosystem stress.

Four Sundarbans protected areas are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Sundarbans name likely comes from the sundri tree common in the area.

Sundarbans is a living ecosystem shaped by tides and sediment deposits.