Pressure on the Sundarbans mangrove forest

High severity. Serious, widespread effects requiring sustained action. Severity is descriptive editorial metadata summarising documented effects. It is not a measured index or a score.

1. 01

   Salinity changes

   Reduced freshwater inflow alters the conditions mangrove species depend on.

2. 02

   Shipping and spills

   Vessel traffic through the forest has led to oil and cargo spills.

3. 03

   Nearby industrial development

   Power generation and industry near the forest raise pollution concerns.

4. 04

   Cyclone damage

   Strong storms damage large areas of forest.

1. 01

   Biodiversity loss

   Species including the Bengal tiger and river dolphins are affected by habitat change.

2. 02

   Reduced coastal protection

   Degraded mangroves offer less buffering against storm surges.

3. 03

   Livelihood effects

   Fishers, honey collectors and others who depend on the forest face reduced resources.

1. Protected area management

   Management under national law and World Heritage status, including anti-poaching work.

   Expected effectMaintains core habitat and tiger populations.

2. Shipping controls

   Restricting and regulating vessel routes through the forest.

   Expected effectReduces spill and disturbance risk.

3. Community co-management

   Involving forest-dependent communities in management and alternative livelihoods.

   Expected effectReduces pressure while supporting incomes.

No reliable quantitative indicator is included for this issue. TerraLens shows figures only where a credible source supports them — consult the sources below for current data.

1. [1]The Sundarbans — World Heritage ListUNESCO World Heritage Centrewhc.unesco.org(opens in a new tab)
2. [2]Bangladesh Forest DepartmentGovernment of Bangladeshbforest.gov.bd(opens in a new tab)

Links open the publishing organisation's site. Some point to the publisher's main page, where the named report or dataset can be found.