World Heritage Identification Number: 452
World Heritage since: 1987
Category: Natural Heritage
WHE Type: Protected Areas & National Parks
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇮🇳 India
Continent: Asia
UNESCO World Region: Asia and the Pacific
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Sundarbans National Park: A Unique Mangrove Ecosystem
Sundarbans National Park, located in the Indian state of West Bengal within the Ganges–Brahmaputra delta near the Bay of Bengal, is a unique and ecologically important mangrove ecosystem. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987 in recognition of its outstanding ecological processes and exceptional biodiversity. The park covers approximately 1,330 square kilometers and forms part of the wider Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, which extends across India and Bangladesh.
The wider Sundarbans encompasses approximately 10,000 square kilometers of land and water across the two countries. This transboundary ecosystem of tidal waterways, islands, mudflats and mangrove forests supports exceptional biodiversity and is globally significant for its ecological processes and threatened wildlife. In Bangladesh, a separate UNESCO World Heritage property, officially named The Sundarbans, was inscribed in 1997.
On the Indian side, Sundarbans National Park is recognized for its outstanding ecological processes and exceptional biodiversity. Its mangrove habitat supports numerous threatened species, most notably the Royal Bengal tiger, which has adapted remarkably well to the challenging conditions of this tidal landscape. The wider Sundarbans is internationally renowned for its tiger population, although population estimates vary according to the geographical area surveyed and the year of assessment.
The park's biodiversity extends far beyond its iconic big cats. Its waterways and wetlands provide habitat for aquatic mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and invertebrates. Irrawaddy dolphins and Ganges river dolphins occur in the wider Sundarbans region, while estuarine crocodiles inhabit its tidal rivers and creeks. The surrounding mangrove landscape also supports species such as the fishing cat and smooth-coated otter. These animals contribute to the ecological complexity of one of the world's most distinctive coastal environments.
Birdlife is another important feature of Sundarbans National Park. Its waterways, mudflats and forested islands attract a variety of resident and migratory birds, including herons, kingfishers, storks, waterfowl and birds of prey. The diversity of habitats provides feeding and resting grounds for numerous species, making the region an important destination for birdwatching. Reptiles are equally significant components of the ecosystem, with species such as the king cobra and estuarine crocodile illustrating the range of wildlife supported by this protected landscape.
The mangrove vegetation of the Sundarbans has developed specialized adaptations that enable it to survive in a challenging environment shaped by tides, saline water and waterlogged soils. Many mangrove species possess aerial roots that help them obtain oxygen in oxygen-poor sediments, while other adaptations support salt regulation and anchorage in unstable mud. These features allow mangroves to thrive where many other plants cannot survive. Together, the different mangrove species create a complex habitat that supports a wide range of terrestrial and aquatic organisms.
The park's mangrove forests play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological health of the region. Their dense root systems help stabilize shorelines, trap sediments and reduce wave energy, offering a degree of protection against coastal erosion and storm surges. Mangroves also provide important nursery habitats for fish, crustaceans and other aquatic organisms, supporting the productivity of coastal waters. These ecological functions are essential not only for wildlife but also for the communities whose livelihoods depend on the wider Sundarbans ecosystem.
Despite its protected status, Sundarbans National Park faces significant conservation challenges. Climate change, rising sea levels, coastal erosion, changing salinity and extreme weather events place pressure on its fragile habitats. Poaching and unsustainable resource use in the wider landscape also create concerns for biodiversity conservation. Effective protected-area management, scientific monitoring, habitat restoration and cooperation with local communities are essential to maintaining the ecological integrity of the park.
Sundarbans National Park stands as a remarkable example of a dynamic mangrove ecosystem and a vital refuge for threatened wildlife. Its UNESCO World Heritage designation recognizes its exceptional natural value and the importance of safeguarding its habitats. Continued conservation efforts, responsible tourism and sustainable management of the wider landscape will be essential to preserving this irreplaceable natural heritage for future generations.
UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
The Sundarbans covers 10,000 km2 of land and water (more than half of it in India, the rest in Bangladesh) in the Ganges delta. It contains the world's largest area of mangrove forests. A number of rare or endangered species live in the park, including tigers, aquatic mammals, birds and reptiles.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (ix): The Sundarbans is the largest area of mangrove forest in the world and the only one that is inhabited by the tiger. The land area in the Sundarbans is constantly being changed, moulded and shaped by the action of the tides, with erosion processes more prominent along estuaries and deposition processes along the banks of inner estuarine waterways influenced by the accelerated discharge of silt from sea water. Its role as a wetland nursery for marine organisms and as a climatic buffer against cyclones is a unique natural process.
Criterion (x): The mangrove ecosystem of the Sundarbans is considered to be unique because of its immensely rich mangrove flora and mangrove-associated fauna. Some 78 species of mangroves have been recorded in the area making it the richest mangrove forest in the world. It is also unique as the mangroves are not only dominant as fringing mangroves along the creeks and backwaters, but also grow along the sides of rivers in muddy as well as in flat, sandy areas. The Sundarbans support a wealth of animal species including the single largest population of tiger and a number of other threatened aquatic mammals such as the Irrawaddy and Ganges River dolphins. The site also contains an exceptional number of threatened reptiles including the king cobra and significant populations of the endemic river terrapin which was once believed to be extinct. The property provides nesting grounds for marine turtles including the olive riley, green and hawksbill. Two of the four species of highly primitive horseshoe crab (Tachypleus gigas and Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda) are found here. The Sajnakhali area, listed as an Important Bird Area, contains a wealth of waterfowl and is of high importance for migratory birds.
Encyclopedia Record: Sundarbans National Park
Sundarbans National Park is a national park in West Bengal, India, and core part of tiger reserve and biosphere reserve. It is part of the Sundarbans on the Ganges Delta and adjacent to the Sundarban Reserve Forest in Bangladesh. It is located to south-west of Bangladesh. The delta is densely covered by mangrove forests, and is one of the largest reserves for the Bengal tiger. It is also home to a variety of bird, reptile and invertebrate species, including the salt-water crocodile. The present Sundarban National Park was declared as the core area of Sundarban Tiger Reserve in 1973 and a wildlife sanctuary in 1977. On 4 May 1984 it was declared a national park. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1987, and it has been designated as a Ramsar site since 2019. It is considered as a World Network of Biosphere Reserve from 10 November 2001.Additional Site Details
Area: 133,010 hectares
Number of Components: 1
(x) — Contains most important habitats for biodiversity
Coordinates: 21.945 , 88.89583333
IUCN World Heritage Outlook
The 2025 Conservation Outlook on Sundarbans National Park reports the following assessment:
Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) · View assessment
Image
© Soumyajit Nandy, CC BY-SA 4.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
World Heritage Research
Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Sundarbans National Park from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.
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A people-centered approach to counter ecosystem degradation and support restoration
A people-centered approach is critical to countering ecosystem degradation and supporting restoration efforts, particularly in globally significant yet fragile ecosystems like the Sundarbans mangrove forest. This PhD thesis highlights that local perceptions of landscape values—such as material (e.g., fishing, medicinal plants) and non-material (e.g., aesthetic, spiritual)—shape place identity, attachment, and dependence among communities. It identifies overharvesting and mangrove loss as primary drivers of degradation, while strong patrolling emerges as a key restoration measure. Spatial analysis reveals that threats like extreme weather and economic pressures disproportionately affect forest-dependent groups, who exhibit higher engagement with landscape values. The study also links human-nature connections (HNCs) to successful restoration, drawing parallels between the Sundarbans and the European Union's Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR). These insights underscore the importance of integrating social-ecological dynamics into conservation strategies to achieve sustainable outcomes.
Polas, Md. Abul Bashar. (2026). A people-centered approach to counter ecosystem degradation and support restoration. KOBRA Universität Kassel. https://doi.org/10.17170/KOBRA-2026022711964
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The silent threat: neglected wildlife diseases and the urgent need for a One Health action plan in Bangladesh
A critical gap in wildlife disease surveillance within Bangladesh's fragmented national institutions is threatening endangered species, destabilizing ecosystems, and elevating pandemic risk. Recent outbreaks, such as anthrax in Rangpur and bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in Safari Park wildlife, highlight the undetected spillover of pathogens across species barriers, particularly in high-density human–livestock–wildlife interfaces like the Sundarbans National Park. The study underscores the urgent need for a One Health action plan, integrating veterinarians' roles in early detection, diagnosis, vaccination, and cross-species surveillance to ensure national security and biodiversity conservation.
Salauddin, Md. (2026). The silent threat: neglected wildlife diseases and the urgent need for a One Health action plan in Bangladesh. IJID One Health, 11, 100114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijidoh.2026.100114
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Can safer livelihood practices strengthen human-tiger coexistence in Sundarban Biosphere Reserve, India?
Safer and energy-efficient livelihood practices, such as goat and poultry rearing and the adoption of improved cooking stoves (ICS), significantly reduce human-tiger negative interactions while increasing household income in the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve. A study across three villages found that forest visitation for fuelwood harvesting decreased by 70% per month and fuelwood harvesting by 30%, leading to a 46% reduction in annual human-tiger conflicts. Average household income rose by 20-25% monthly, indicating improved financial status. These findings suggest that community-based initiatives can strengthen social capacity for coexistence between humans and tigers, offering a scalable model for conservation efforts in densely populated biodiversity-rich areas like the Sundarban Tiger Reserve.
Bajpai, A., Sheel, P., Karmakar, S., Roy, A., Mehra, D., Sinha, S. K., & Ghoshal, A. (2026). Can safer livelihood practices strengthen human-tiger coexistence in Sundarban Biosphere Reserve, India? Societal Impacts, 7, 100191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socimp.2026.100191
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Habitat Ecology and Intraspecific Variations in Estuarine Crocodile Crocodylus porosus Schneider, 1801 (Reptilia: Archosauria: Eusuchia: Crocodylia: Crocodylidae) in Two Contrasting Estuarine Ecosystems of Eastern India
A comparative study of estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) populations in Bhitarkanika National Park and the Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve reveals significant intraspecific variations shaped by habitat connectivity. The research, conducted during March-April 2026, identified 52 individuals across both sites, highlighting differences in population density, size distribution, trophic resources, and territorial behavior. Bhitarkanika's semi-isolated ecosystem exhibited higher competition due to restricted resources, whereas the Sundarbans' dynamic, marine-connected environment supported broader trophic niches and reduced conflict. These findings underscore the critical role of habitat connectivity in crocodilian ecology and conservation outcomes.
Mukherjee, D., & Vijay, M. (2026). Habitat Ecology and Intraspecific Variations in Estuarine Crocodile Crocodylus porosus Schneider, 1801 (Reptilia: Archosauria: Eusuchia: Crocodylia: Crocodylidae) in Two Contrasting Estuarine Ecosystems of Eastern India. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), 1058–1061. https://doi.org/10.21275/sr26517084457
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Overtourism in National Parks and Eco Destinations
Overtourism, combined with climate change pressures, is significantly threatening the ecological and social sustainability of biodiversity hotspots such as the Sundarbans National Park. Research reveals that while nature-based tourism has historically benefited economic development and environmental awareness, its unchecked growth now exceeds ecological boundaries, leading to habitat loss, pollution, and increased social pressure. Climate vulnerabilities, including rising sea levels and erratic weather patterns, further exacerbate these challenges. The study proposes sustainable solutions like community-based tourism, ecological zoning, and digital monitoring to mitigate these impacts and ensure long-term resilience for such fragile ecosystems.
Akhter, Md. S., Talukder, M. B., Jui, D. J., Miah, M. S., Ratul, S. I., Al-Amin, Md., & Wongmahesak, K. (2026). Overtourism in National Parks and Eco Destinations. Advancing Global Communication and Information Exchange through Tourism, 227–262. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3373-7457-4.ch008
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Remembering Vinod Rishi, IFS (1946-2026)
Vinod Rishi, IFS (1946–2026), pioneered innovative conservation strategies that significantly advanced wildlife management in India's Sundarbans National Park and other protected areas. His most notable contribution was the introduction of a unique protective measure for Sundarban fishermen—wearing face masks on their backs—to mitigate tiger attacks, a solution rooted in his deep naturalist instincts and engineering background. Rishi also championed the use of satellite imagery for forest mapping, marking a groundbreaking approach to conservation monitoring in India. As a leader in the second generation of wildlife managers, he strengthened multiple protected areas, including Sundarban Tiger Reserve and Buxa Tiger Reserve, through his fieldwork and policy influence, leaving a lasting legacy in conservation history.
Kazmi, R. (2026). Remembering Vinod Rishi, IFS (1946-2026). Journal of Wildlife Science, 3(3), 153–154. https://doi.org/10.63033/jwls.vejg9971
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Mangrove Flora and Fauna in Sundarbans and Their Significance in a Global Perspective
Sundarbans, the world's largest tidal mangrove ecosystem and a critical tiger habitat, faces severe threats from overexploitation, poaching, natural disasters, and climate change. A comprehensive study identifies 7,533 unique micro- and macro-lifeforms within its 9,630 km² area, marking it as an 'endangered' ecosystem under the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems framework. The research combines literature surveys with longitudinal field investigations using multistage purposive sampling, engaging professionals, NGOs, forest officials, and local communities. It highlights the urgent need for concerted management efforts to restore mangrove ecosystems and conserve biodiversity while addressing the impacts of agriculture, hydrological changes, pollution, and climate change on its transitional zones.
Mallick, J. K. (2025). Mangrove Flora and Fauna in Sundarbans and Their Significance in a Global Perspective. Surviving Sundarbans: Tragedy and Hope, Edition 1, 12–34. https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-93-48859-73-0/ch2
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