On mangrove

The mangrove forest [Sundarbans, meaning ‘Beautiful Forest’] is mainly divided into two types, the ‘freshwater’ forest, with the lowest level of salinity and the ‘moderately saltwater’ forest. Man, wind, rivers and animals constitute the main threats to the destruction of this forest. In 1907, Prain recorded 245 genera and 334 plant species. Mangrove forest represents the resource of large part of the industrial economy, Excoecaria agallocha wood, for instance is largely used in the newspaper mills industry.

The Sundarbans forest is populated by 4 million people, most of them living without shelter. Professor Hazra declared in the BBC News: ‘the Sundarbans appears to be a lost cause’. 6000 families have lost their home in the last two decades. Scientists believe 1000 sq km will be inundated due to one metre rise of the sea level within the next 50 years. Professor Hazra predicts 15% of habitable area will be lost by 2020, displacing 30.000 people.