SUNDARBANS FEATURES
Sundarbans, which is located in the southwestern part of Bangladesh & the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world. Sundarbans is a cluster of low-lying islands in the Bay of Bengal, spread across Bangladesh and India this is famous for its unique mangrove forests. This active delta region is among the largest in the world. This forest is consistin
g about 200 islands and separated by about 400 interconnected tidal rivers, canals and creeks. In Bangladesh side this forest reclines under 2 forest divisions & 4 administrative ranges that is Chandpai, Sarankhola, Khulna and Burigoalini and has 16 forest stations. It is further divided into 55 compartments and 9 blocks. The Sundarbans was declared as a Reserve Forest in 1875. Under 1997 UNESCO declared World Heritage Site and its about 32,400 hectares of the Sundarbans three wildlife sanctuaries. Under the Bangladesh Wildlife Preservation Amendment Act-1974 these wildlife sanctuaries were established in 1977. In this forest the main trees are Sundari, gewa, gengwa, nipa palms and other halophytic like salt-tolerant species are the dominant flora in the mangrove swamps. Sundarbans inviter a large variety of animals. In this forest one of the last preserves of Bengal tigers (the spectacular Royal Bengal Tiger), which are found in relative abundance there. Other animals include spotted deer, wild boars, otters, wildcats, and Ganges River dolphins, but several species that once inhabited the region—including Javan rhinoceroses, guar, water buffalo, and spotted deer. Here found the several numbers of reptile and amphibian species are found in the Sundarbans, noticeable crocodiles, Indian pythons, cobras, and marine turtles. The region is home to more than 250 bird species—both seasonal migrants and permanent residents—including species of woodpeckers, barbets, owls, bee-eaters, bulbul, shrikes, drongos, starlings, mynas, babblers, thrush, oriole, flycatchers, and many others.