Faruk Hasan, Staff Reporter, CBN
The Sundarbans, often called the “lungs of the Bengal Delta,” is a unique mangrove forest that protects millions of people from storms and floods. However, this vital ecosystem is now quietly struggling to survive as rising salinity threatens its very existence. Increasing saltwater intrusion, driven by climate change and human activities, is slowly destroying the forest and endangering the lives of both wildlife and local communities.
The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world, shared between Bangladesh and India. It supports a rich variety of plants and animals, including the endangered Royal Bengal Tiger. But due to rising sea levels and reduced freshwater flow from upstream rivers, saltwater is moving further inland. This salinity intrusion harms the soil and water quality, making it difficult for many freshwater-dependent plants and animals to survive.
One of the hardest-hit species is the Sundari tree, a key mangrove species, which is dying due to increased salt levels. This change affects the entire forest ecosystem, reducing biodiversity and weakening the forest’s ability to protect against cyclones and tidal surges.
Local communities, who depend on farming, fishing, and honey collection, are also suffering. Saline water damages crops and lowers fish populations, threatening their income and food security. Many people are forced to leave their homes in search of better opportunities.
Urgent action is needed to restore freshwater flows and develop salt-tolerant crops. Sustainable management of the Sundarbans can help protect this invaluable forest and support the millions of people who rely on it. Without immediate efforts, the Sundarbans may continue to silently suffocate from rising salinity, risking both nature and human livelihoods.
