First-Ever Fencing of Sundarbans Border

First-Ever Fencing of Sundarbans Border

#GS-3 #Environment #Biodiversity #Wildlife #Current Events #National #GS-1 #Geography #Physical Geography #Border Security #Sundarbans

Why in News

  • The **Union Ministry of Home Affairs** plans to construct a fence along a **90 km** stretch of the **Sundarbans** on the **India-Bangladesh border** in **West Bengal** to boost security across challenging terrain.
  • The **Border Security Force (BSF)** has initiated feasibility and technical surveys for this project, where mangroves, tidal swamps, creeks, embankments, and marshy river stretches make border control extremely complex.
  • At present, no physical ground barriers exist in this region, forcing the **BSF** to rely on **Floating Border Outposts** to guard river and creek zones.
  • The overall length of the **India-Bangladesh border** running through **West Bengal** measures approximately **2,216.7 km**.

Key Features of Sundarbans

  • The **Sundarbans** contains the largest mangrove forest system globally, situated on the vast delta formed by the **Ganges**, **Brahmaputra**, and **Meghna** rivers where they meet the **Bay of Bengal**.
  • This ecological habitat shelters **84 species of flora** (including **26 mangrove species**) alongside **453 species of fauna**, which feature **120 species of fish**, **290 species of birds**, **42 species of mammals**, **35 reptiles**, and **eight amphibian species**.
  • Over **12 million people** live within this estuarine ecosystem, comprising **4.5 million in India** and **7.5 million in Bangladesh**.
  • The region protects several globally threatened wildlife species, including the **estuarine crocodile**, **water monitor lizard**, **Gangetic dolphin**, and **olive ridley turtle**.
  • Out of the total Sundarbans ecosystem, **40% of Sundarban** is located within **India**.

Environmental Status and Protection

  • The area was declared a **UNESCO World Heritage site** in **1987** for the Indian segment and in **1997** for the Bangladesh segment.
  • The Indian part of Sundarban gained recognition as a **Wetland of International Importance** under the **Ramsar Convention** in **January 2019**.
  • It serves as a major habitat for **Royal Bengal Tigers** under the umbrella of **Project Tiger**.
  • The **Sundarbans** is designated as a **Biosphere Reserve**, encompassing key protected zones such as **Sundarbans National Park (India)**, **Sundarbans East Wildlife Sanctuary (India)**, **Sundarbans South Wildlife Sanctuary (India)**, **Sundarbans West Wildlife Sanctuary (India)**, and **Sundarbans Reserve Forest (Bangladesh)**.