SUNDARBANS: A CRITICAL PILLAR FOR CLIMATE, ECONOMIC RESILIENCE IN SOUTH ASIA

The Sundarbans, spanning approximately 10,000 square kilometers across India and Bangladesh, is not only the world's largest contiguous mangrove forest but also a critical ecological buffer zone and a major economic asset for both countries.

- Tamanna Akter Tithi, Milan Mathew, Raktimava Bose

Situated at the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers, this unique wetland acts as a natural defense mechanism, particularly against the frequent tropical cyclones that batter the Bay of Bengal. Despite its critical ecological functions, the Sundarbans faces severe challenges, ranging from climate change to unsustainable human activities, putting millions of people and the region's biodiversity at risk.

Functioning as the "kidneys" of the Earth, wetlands like the Sundarbans play a vital role in regulating water flow and filtering pollutants. Yet, the Sundarbans goes beyond these functions. Its dense mangrove forest diminishes the impact of storm surges and cyclones, providing essential coastal protection. Studies, including one by the World Bank, demonstrate its capacity to reduce surge heights by 4 to 16.5 centimeters, depending on the location. This has proven lifesaving during tropical cyclones like Amphan, Sidr, and Aila, which would have wreaked even greater havoc were it not for this natural barrier.

Beyond environmental resilience, the Sundarbans is an economic powerhouse. Supporting around 7.5 million people, it contributes through provisioning, regulating, and cultural services. Provisioning services—fish, wood, honey, and other resources—have been valued at $713.30 per hectare annually, while its role in air quality improvement, water purification, and storm surge protection contributes $2,584.46 per hectare each year. Cultural services, too, provide intangible benefits, valued at $151.88 per hectare. Such contributions underscore the Sundarbans' role not only as an ecological asset but as an economic backbone for local communities.