Known as “Motherly Sundarbans” by locals, the Sundarbans Reserved Forest is the largest mangrove forest on Earth and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Ramsar Site for its outstanding natural and cultural landscape. The Sundarbans consist of three wildlife sanctuaries (Sundarbans West, East and South) lying on disjunct deltaic islands in the Sundarbans Forest Division of Khulna District, close to the border with India and just west of the main outflow of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers. Sixty percent of the mangrove forest is in Bangladesh; the other 40% is in neighboring India.
This biologically diverse ecosystem covers 100,000 hectares of dense mangrove habitat and serves as the last stronghold for the iconic Bengal tiger. The Sundarbans Reserved Forest hosts 334 plant species, 49 mammal species, around 300 bird species, 59 reptile species, eight amphibian species, and 210 fish species providing a rich experience for visitors to spot a diverse array of wildlife.
Ecotourism Sites & Visitor Centers in the Sundbarbans
The Sundarbans offers limited access for visitors interested in experiencing the protected area’s natural environment. Specifically, visitors are restricted to 13 ecotourism sites and visitor centers located across the Sundarbans. Official data recorded by BFD suggests that more than 200,000 visitors a year visit these sites, with the high season occurring during the dry winter months from November to February. The majority of visitation takes place at three-day visitor centers: Karamjal, Harbaria, and Kalagachia Ecotourism Centers.
Ecological Significance of the Reserved Forest
Surrounded on three sides by two of the most densely populated countries on earth, India and Bangladesh, the Sundarbans remains wild, remote, and surprisingly untouched.
The Reserve is located southwest of Bangladesh between the Baleshwar and Harinbhanga rivers and extends to the Bay of Bengal. The area of the Reserve expands to over 200 islands and populates the banks of 15 major rivers, 400 tidal estuaries, and a series of life-supporting canals. As a result of its vast carbon-capturing qualities and other ecosystem services, it is arguably one of the most important ecological areas in Asia.
The mangrove ecosystem benefits over 7.79 million people living in the Sundarbans Impact Zone (SIZ), including socioeconomic services that sustain livelihoods and in the form of a shelter belt protecting low-lying Bangladesh from storms, cyclones, tidal surges, seawater seepage, and intrusion.
The Sundarbans Reserved Forest is also Bangladesh’s most visited tourism destination, which is forecasted to contribute upwards of 9.5% of the total GDP by 2027. As a visitor to the Sundarbans Reserved Forest, you, too, have an essential role to play. Every visitor contributes to the ongoing protection of the ecosystem, and in exchange, you will have the extraordinary chance to appreciate its pristine natural beauty, magnificent tangles of mangrove trees, culturally rich villages, traditional practices, and exciting wildlife. An important opportunity here is to protect and share one of the world's most vulnerable and essential habitats.
A Brief History of the Sundarbans
The Sundarbans has a geological history that traces back to the early Pleistocene epoch, approximately 2.58 million years ago. This period marked significant tectonic activities, notably the collision between the Indian subcontinent and the Eurasian plate, which led to the uplift of the Himalayas and subsequently the formation of the Bengal Delta. These geological transformations laid the foundational bed for what would become the Sundarbans, shaping its unique ecosystem characterized by marshy islands, tidal rivers, and dense mangrove forests.
In recorded history, the Sundarbans first gained prominence in the 16th century when it was utilized by Mughal rulers for timber and other natural resources. As far as archeological sites, there are some historical records suggesting that in the past, the Sundarbans may have been home to small settlements, temples, or structures, but due to the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the mangrove environment, most of all these historical sites may have eroded or been reclaimed by nature over time. Shekhertek Kali Temple is one of these ruins that still exists in the Sundarbans and is treated as one of the popular destinations.
By the 19th century, the management of the Sundarbans was formalized with the establishment of the Bangladesh Forest Department in 1874. Over the years, it has achieved significant conservation status, including designation as a Ramsar Site in 1992 and as a World Heritage Site in 1997. Today, the Forest Department continues to oversee its vast biodiversity while balancing the needs of local communities who rely on the forest for their livelihoods, marking the Sundarbans as both a national treasure and a crucial area for global ecological conservation.
