Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve
Why it matters?
The 2025 West Bengal Forest Department survey reports an increase in saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) numbers in Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve, with 213 sightings, including 23 hatchlings. Population now ranges between 220–242, up from 204–234 in 2024.
What you should know?
It is located in southern West Bengal, at the mouth of the Ganga–Brahmaputra–Meghna delta.
It covers about 9,630 sq. km including core, buffer, and transition zones.
It contains the largest mangrove forest in the world.
The name “Sundarbans” comes from the Sundari tree (Heritiera fomes).
It is shared between India (40%) and Bangladesh (60%).
The reserve is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, the only tiger population in a mangrove ecosystem.
Key fauna includes saltwater crocodiles, olive ridley turtles, estuarine dolphins, fishing cats, and migratory birds.
Sundarbans is recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.
It was declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1989 under UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1987).
It was designated as a Ramsar Site in 2019.
Saltwater crocodile
The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is the largest living reptile and a hypercarnivorous apex predator.
It is found in estuaries, deltas, mangroves, rivers, swamps, and coastal regions.
Major habitats include:
Odisha – Bhitarkanika mangroves (largest population in India).
West Bengal – Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands – coastal creeks and lagoons.
It prefers brackish and saline waters but can tolerate freshwater rivers.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List → Least Concern (LC) globally.
CITES → Appendix I (international trade strictly banned).
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 → Schedule I (highest protection in India).