Sundarbans Reserved Forest

A swimming Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris) is crossing a tidal creek in Bangladesh Sundarbans
A Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris) is feeding on its prey in the Mangrove Swamp of Bangladesh Sundarbans
A view of Sundarban Mangrove forest of Bangladesh
Colorful ferns, lichens, climbers developed on the trunk of Sundri (Heritiera fomes) of Bangladesh Sundarbans
Boats carrying the harvested Golpata (Nypa fruiticans) from the Sundarbans
Golpata (Nypa fruiticans) are being harvested by people as thatch materials for roofing village houses
Boom of Gewa (Excoecaria agallocha) being transported to the Khulna Newsprint Mill from the Sundarbans as a pulpwood for manufacturing newsprint.
Fish are being dried by the fishermen caught in winter fishery at Dublar char of Bangladesh Sundarban
Fishermen are catching fish with the help of Otter (Lutra percipicilata) in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh
Tourists are visiting the emblem constructed to commemorate the declaration of Sundarbans as World Heritage Site at Nilkamal.

Sundarbans Reserved Forest

  • Country: 
    Bangladesh
  • Site number: 
    560
  • Area: 
    601,700 ha
  • Designation date: 
    21-05-1992
  • Coordinates: 
    22°01'N 89°31'E
Materials presented on this website, particularly maps and territorial information, are as-is and as-available based on available data and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Overview

The Sundarbans Reserved Forest. 21/05/92; Khulna; 601,700 ha, 22°02'N 089°31'E. Reserved Forest, World Heritage Site. At the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers, which with the innumerable small channels and creeks flowing into the Bay of Bengal dissect the whole area creating the largest contiguous mangrove forest in the world, the site is a hotspot of rich flora and fauna, home to a number of unique and endangered species of plants, animals like endangered Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), vulnerable Pallas Fishing Eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus) and Masked Finfoot (Heliopais personata), and critically endangered River Terrapin (Batagur baska), all listed in the IUCN Red Book, rare species of shark (Glyphis gangeticus) and very rich avifauna with 315 species, of which 84 are migratory. Many fish species depend upon this transitional zone between freshwater and saline water pushed by high tides from open sea, for spawning and juvenile feeding. The wetland is remarkable for protection from the tidal surge generated from the cyclonic depression in the Bay of Bengal. Abundant fish and biomass resources are harvested by local communities. Artifacts and festivals within the site have high Hindu religious and cultural importance. Reduction in fresh water flow due to water diversion, the construction of dykes combined with the pollution of the industries and the ports of Khulna and Mongla have affected the plant and fish population. There are 8 research field stations that provide data for ongoing studies and research. Recently an information center was established at Khulna and a management plan is under preparation. Ramsar site no. 560. Most recent RIS information: 2003.

Administrative region: 
Khulna Civil Division

  • Global international designation: 
    • World Heritage site
  • National legal designation: 
    • forest reserve
    • wildlife sanctuaries
  • Last publication date: 
    01-01-2003

Downloads

Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS)

Additional reports and documents