India and Bangladesh have signed an agreement to tackle climate-related loss and damage in the Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site shared by both nations. This agreement aims to create a joint initiative involving various stakeholders to raise global awareness about the climate challenges faced by the Sundarbans. Despite minimal contributions to carbon emissions, the Sundarbans confront significant climate impacts, including cyclones, rising sea levels, and forced migrations. The Sundarbans, located in the Bay of Bengal, is a vital mangrove area formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna Rivers, housing unique features like the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve and being the world’s largest mangrove forest inhabited by tigers.
Facts/Terms for UPSC Prelims
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: A location recognized and protected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for its cultural, historical, scientific, or natural significance.
- Climate-Related Loss and Damage: Adverse effects of climate change that result in loss of livelihoods, property, and other forms of damage, often disproportionately affecting vulnerable regions like the Sundarbans.
- Mangrove Ecosystem: A coastal ecosystem characterized by salt-tolerant trees and shrubs growing in brackish water, serving as a critical habitat for various wildlife species and a natural barrier against coastal erosion.
- Sundarbans Tiger Reserve: A protected area within the Sundarbans that serves as a habitat for the endangered Bengal tiger, highlighting the unique coexistence of tigers and mangrove forests.
