Context:
National Board of Wildlife (NBWL), led by the Union minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, approved the West Bengal government’s proposal to increase the area of Sundarbans Tiger Reserve (STR). STR has become India’s second-largest tiger reserve. Total area now: 3,629.57 sq km, up from its previous rank of seventh in size among tiger reserves.
Significance
- Part of India’s Project Tiger network.
- Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Globally important for the mangrove–tiger ecosystem, combining rich biodiversity with unique mangrove habitats.
Establishment
- Declared a Tiger Reserve in 1973 under the first phase of Project Tiger.
- Designated a Biosphere Reserve in 1989.
- Recognized by UNESCO in 2001.
Flora
- Dominated by mangroves: Sundari (Heritiera fomes), Gewa (Excoecaria agallocha), and Golpata (Nypa fruticans).
- Plants are adapted to saline, tidal conditions with specialized pneumatophores (breathing roots).
Fauna
- Royal Bengal Tiger: adapted to swimming across estuaries.
- Other wildlife: estuarine crocodiles, fishing cats, water monitor lizards, olive ridley turtles, spotted deer.
- Rich avian diversity: kingfishers, herons, and other birds.
- Aquatic biodiversity: includes Hilsa and other economically important fish species supporting local livelihoods.
