The Chief Minister of West Bengal recently drew attention to the significant damage caused by Cyclone Amphan to the Sunderbans, a unique ecosystem spread over both India and Bangladesh. In response, a campaign was launched to plant mangrove trees and other vegetation in celebration of World Environment Day on 5th June. The move aims to restore about 28% of the damaged region.
The Impact of Cyclone Amphan
Cyclone Amphan has heavily affected the Indian side of the Sunderbans, leaving approximately 1,200 sq km of its vast 4,263 sq km mangrove forest in ruin. Located south of the Dampier Hodges line, an imaginary line indicating the estuarine zone’s northern limits affected by tidal fluctuations, this area is vital in dampening storm surges and reducing wind speed during cyclones. The cyclone has left trees yellow and red due to salinity, and their survival depends on the soil’s salinity level decreasing.
Mangrove Planting Drive
In response to the devastation, the Chief Minister has directed the Forest Department to prepare for planting 3.5 crore mangroves by 14th July, known as World Forest Day. This initiative is part of a wider effort to restore the damaged area and protect it from future natural disasters.
A Closer Look at the Sundarbans
The Sunderbans is a large, continuous mangrove forest ecosystem in the Bay of Bengal’s coastal region. It is located on the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers and stretches across both India and Bangladesh. This unique environment, characterized by a network of tidal waterways, mudflats, and salt-tolerant mangrove forests, constitutes over 60% of India’s total mangrove forest area.
In recognition of its ecological value, the Indian Sundarbans was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, a ‘Wetland of International Importance’ under the Ramsar Convention in January 2019, and a Biosphere Reserve in 1989.
The Unique Fauna of the Sundarbans
The Sunderbans delta is famed for its wide range of fauna, including 260 bird species. It is home to many rare and globally threatened wildlife species such as the Estuarine Crocodile, Royal Bengal Tiger, Water Monitor Lizard, Gangetic Dolphin, and Olive Ridley Turtles. Notably, the Sundarbans Delta is the world’s only mangrove forest inhabited by tigers.
To preserve this precious ecosystem, Discovery India and the World Wide Fund (WWF) India teamed up with the Government of West Bengal and local Sunderbans communities in 2019.
The Vital Role of Mangroves
Mangroves, which occur in inter-tidal zones along tropical and subtropical countries’ coasts, bring many ecological benefits. They provide habitats, food, and spawning grounds for various types of fish, birds, and other valuable fauna. They also protect coastlines and accumulate sediment to form new land.
Among India’s states and Union Territories, West Bengal has the highest percentage of total Mangrove cover, followed by Gujarat and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The India State of Forest Report offers detailed data about the country’s mangroves and their conditions.
