Sunderbans Mangrove at Risk

Remote sensing studies and GIS-enabled data, for the first time, have offered definite proof that the mangrove forest cover in Sunderbans has been depleting alarmingly. Variable degrees of erosion were also observed in at least 18 islands. The continuation of this process is a serious ecological threat.

Highlights of the Study

• From 1986 (2,201 sqkm) to 2012 (2122 sqkm), the loss in the mangrove forest in the Indian Sunderbans is about 5.5 %.
• The continuation of this process in response to climate change and sea level rise poses a serious threat to the carbon sequestration potential and other ecosystem services ....