Sundarbans – the largest mangrove forest in the world

Today, July 26, we celebrate the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem. It’s not the most media-covered date in the calendar of nature-related observances – and that’s a shame, because it concerns some of the world’s most underrated ecosystems. One such example is the Sundarbans – the largest mangrove forest in the world.

Mangrove forests – force of nature and natural barrier

They are overgrown, muddy, and hard to reach. For years, they were treated as economically useless zones. Today we know that without them, many coastlines would have long since disappeared underwater. Mangroves – the plants in question – act as natural armor protecting land from storm surges, tsunamis, and erosion. Their tangled roots trap sediment, filter pollutants, and help maintain hydrological balance. At the same time, they absorb vast amounts of carbon dioxide, earning them the status of quiet allies of the climate.

Sundarbans – a world between water and land

Imagine a labyrinth of rivers, canals, and muddy islands stretching for kilometers on the border between Bangladesh and India. This is the Sundarbans – the largest mangrove forest in the world, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. There’s no asphalt here, no streetlights. But there are tiger tracks in the mud, knee-deep sludge, and water that changes direction twice a day with the tides. This ecosystem spans over 10,000 km² and was shaped by three rivers: the Ganges, the Brahmaputra, and the Meghna. And although from above it may look like a wild patch of green, it’s a living, pulsing structure where every day brings a battle for survival – for both people and animals.

A tiger among mangroves and other marvels

The Sundarbans is teeming with life. It’s here, among the mangroves, that you might come across a Bengal tiger – the symbol of this wild land. It doesn’t roam dry ground but… swims. Yes, it’s the only big cat that excels in water, capable of swimming several kilometers between islands in search of food. Alongside it live fishing cats, wild boars, monitor lizards, Ganges river dolphins, and estuarine crocodiles. In the tree canopies, herons and kingfishers call, while thousands of invertebrates crawl through the mud. This muddy chaos is home to hundreds of bird species and serves as a nursery for millions of fish – most of them begin their lives here.

What or who threatens mangrove forests?

The Sundarbans is not a place that can be quietly transformed and forgotten. It is an ecosystem that requires constant protection. What’s the greatest threat? Sadly, humans. Trees are cut down to make room for shrimp farms. Tourists leave behind tons of plastic, and rivers that once carried life now carry sewage and silt. Sea levels are rising, storms are more frequent, and tree roots don’t have time to anchor. In the end, the entire delta is slowly falling apart, and the life that depends on it is being pushed to the margins.

Mangrove forests are not a green curiosity or a backdrop for exotic drone footage. They are a living shield protecting millions of people and animals. They absorb carbon dioxide, stop storm waves, and purify water. They provide work for fishermen, honey collectors, and shade for those living on the edge of land and sea. Without them, coastal villages will disappear with the next major cyclone. And we, though thousands of kilometers away, will feel the impact too – in climate change, migration patterns, and food chains. Today, July 26, we have the chance to say it out loud: protecting mangrove forests is not a trend – it’s a necessity. The Sundarbans may disappear faster than we think.