The mangrove forests
Photo: Kalim Shantu / Driknews
The Sundarbans is one of the most beautiful and largest mangrove forests in Bangladesh and it is the largest remaining tract of mangrove forests in the world. The forest covers 10,000km of which about 6,000 are in Bangladesh. It became inscribed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1997. Royal Bengal Tiger as well as numerous fauna including different species of birds, spotted deer, crocodiles and snakes etc are found here. But the bad news is that the Sundarbans has a population of over 4 million and they are spoiling its beauty. The population pressure resulted in half of this eco-region's mangrove forests cut down to supply the fuel wood. Other natural resources are also extracted from these forests by this large population. The Sundarbans play an important role in the economy of the south-western region of Bangladesh as well as in the national economy. Now it is contesting to be a part of the Seven Wonders of the World. Therefore, it is high time for the govt to take proper steps to save the beautiful mangrove forests and ensure all kinds of facilities for the tourists and it is up to us to vote for the Sundarbans to keep it in the contest of the Seven Wonders of the world.
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