Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the country and UNESCO heritage, has incurred loss USD$3.3 billion in ecosystem services during the last 30 years, a new study revealed.
The study showed decline in forest density and an increase in poisonous substances in water bodies in the Sundarbans due to Climate Change, causing habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss.
The Change Initiative conducted the study and released it publically on Tuesday styled, “Rising Tides, Roaring Futures: The Sundarbans’ Quest for Survival”, the changes in land cover of the Sundarbans from 1973 to 2024, show a loss of dense forest and an increase of water bodies, indicating habitat loss and fragmentation.
The study conducted in observance of ‘The Sundarbans Day’ on February 14, 2024 to support the conservation of the important ecosystem.
The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world, located in the delta region of the Bay of Bengal. Its intricate network of tidal waterways, mudflats, and diverse flora and fauna play a crucial role in maintaining coastal ecosystems and play a significant role in the Ecosystem of Bangladesh.
According to the study analysis, from constituting forest cover of 94.2 percent of the area, there was decline to 91.5 percent. This indicates that there is a considerable decrease in critical ecological stronghold that provides vital natural services, ranging from carbon sequestration to coastal protection and biodiversity sustenance.
Researchers estimate that there has been a loss of $3.3 billion in ecosystem services of the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve during the last 30 years, over 80 percent of which is provided by mangroves.
Collected data further shows an increase in waterbody coverage from 4.8 percent to 7.6 percent, causing environmental concerns due to habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss.
The less dense forest shows a slight decrease from 1.0 percent to 0.9 percent, indicating declining forest robustness and potential degradation due to anthropogenic pressures or natural forest dynamics.
Despite the increasing waterbody coverage, the 210 species of fish, shrimp,
crabs, Mollusca, and lobster, native to the region; is facing depletion due to the
widespread use of poisonous substances for fish baits.
Bangladesh must take immediate steps for conservation of the ecosystem, through national and international efforts; this must include joint management of protected areas, and actions against those contributing to degradation of the ecosystem.
According to the study, the current threats and challenges faced by the Sundarbans must also be considered, such as tiger population decline, Sundari tree disappearance, Geographical Indication (GI) rights for ‘Sundarbans honey’, and establishment of thermal coal plant and risky infrastructure.
M Zakir Hossain Khan, Chief Executive of Change Initiative and International
Climate said, “Conservation of the Sundarbans is crucial and requires a multifaceted approach. This issue must be included in Loss and Damage Funding, as it is a transboundary concern.”
Additionally, to locally address issues of pollution, alternative sources of income
must be offered to local businesses and plants who damage the local ecosystem and those who continue to contribute to pollutants in the area must face consequences, such as loss of government benefits, he suggested.
Bangladesh and India need to strengthen transboundary cooperation in the Sundarbans region, including joint management of protected areas, coordinated conservation efforts, and shared research initiatives, he suggested.
Digital monitoring systems, such as drones, can be used to track illegal activities and wildlife movements. Sensor-based technologies can monitor salinity levels, and methods to combat illegal fishing should be introduced, he said.
Expanding protected areas and wildlife sanctuaries is crucial, he said.
