Fast-disappearing mangrove forests of the Sunderbans pose a question mark over the future of the Royal Bengal Tiger, an endangered species, say scientists.
Rapid deterioration in mangrove health is causing as much as 200 metres of the vegetation-rich coast to disappear annually in the Sunderbans, according to zoologists.
Nathalie Pettorelli, from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and senior study author, said: “Our results indicate a rapidly retreating coastline that cannot be accounted for by the regular dynamics of the Sunderbans. Degradation is happening fast, weakening this natural shield for India and Bangladesh.”
Sunderbans is the largest block of continuous mangrove forest in the world, native to nearly 500 species of reptile, fish, bird and mammals, including the world famous Royal Bengal Tiger, the journal Remote Sensing reports.
Thriving human development, rising global temperatures, degradation of natural protection from tidal waves and cyclones is inevitably leading to species loss in this richly biodiverse part of the world, according to a ZSL statement.
Sarah Christie, ZSL’s tiger conservation expert, says: “The Sunderbans is a critical tiger habitat; one of only a handful of remaining forests big enough to hold several hundred tigers. To lose the Sunderbans would be to move a step closer to the extinction of these majestic animals.”
Keywords: Sunderbans, Royal Bengal Tiger, Zoological Society of London
So sad. Stupid people keep wrecking everything. What's wrong with the Indian govt. What
are we supposed to do?
Maybe they can be sent to Brazil in the amazonian forests. They would definitely be the kings of the amazon if they were allowed to exist there
Tigers in Sunderbans can be saved, if Sunderbans itself is saved. And Sunderbans would be saved if human and nature's onslaught on Sunderbans can be checked.For checking nature's fury, green cover along the entire coastline must be increased and concrete walls be raised at selected places all along the coast.To minimize human onslaught on Sunderbans, local habitants (eligible ones) whose number is over 50 lakhs be provided with alternative means of livelihood viz., may be engaged in cottage industry,pottery, fishery,fish catching,etc.
Now a days people love their TV,computers and cell phones and purse.Who
cares for Animals,not even State Govts.
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