In the Ganges delta, bordering on the Bay of Bengal, lies the Sundarbans National Park – more than 6000 square miles of wetlands, criss-crossed with an extensive system of waterways.  More than half of this national park is in India while the rest lay in Bangladesh.  Sundarbans is a lush wetland landscape, containing the world’s largest mangrove forests and constantly shifting and changing from the heavy rains and tides.  The Sundarbans National Park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1987.

The massive web of rivers and channels inundates about half of the area of Sundarbans.   Some of these rivers reach over a mile across and many of them alter their course almost constantly as alluvial islands and mud banks change form and alter the landscape.  The only change in the pattern is along the coast, where sandy beaches and dunes make up the oceanic border of Sundarbans.  Some of the most spectacular scenery in the world exists in this area due to its unique ecosystem.

Sundarbans is also home to many rare and endangered species.  The world's largest populations of Bengal tigers roams these wetlands and have made a reputation for themselves with their man-eating habits.  Reptiles such as crocodiles, monitor lizards, turtles, and chameleons also wander the mudflats, as well as mammals such as rhinos, water buffalo, swamp deer and the Indian muntjac.  The delta is a favorite spot for several varieties of dolphins and a wide range of waterbirds.

For many creatures, Sundarbans is the only remaining habitat in the area where they can survive, though some of these species are disappearing.  The land surrounding the park is being converted into agriculture and infringing upon the boundaries of the animals’ sanctuary.  The added problem of increased salinity in the water is another serious threat.  Luckily, the governments of India and Bangladesh are making efforts to replant the buffer forests and counteract some of the damage being done by human activity.  Hopefully, this will be enough to keep Sundarbans alive and thriving for generations to come.