The Indian Sundarban Mangrove Forests: History, Utilization, Conservation Strategies and Local Perception

Despite maintaining its vast extent, the Indian Sundarbans mangrove forest has experienced significant changes in health and structure over the past two-and-a-half centuries due to human interference, upstream development, extreme weather events, and climate change effects. This study reveals that while the areal coverage of the mangroves has remained relatively stable recently, their ecological integrity is under threat. Researchers used a multi-temporal and multi-scale approach, combining historical maps and remote sensing data, to trace these changes. The findings underscore the complex interplay between conservation strategies, local livelihoods, and environmental pressures, highlighting the need for adaptive management to protect this critical ecosystem.

Ghosh, A., Schmidt, S., Fickert, T., & Nüsser, M. (2015). The Indian Sundarban Mangrove Forests: History, Utilization, Conservation Strategies and Local Perception. Diversity, 7(2), 149–169. https://doi.org/10.3390/d7020149