The road to saving the Sundarbans has always demanded more than just talk—it requires sweat, blisters, and the kind of stubborn hope that keeps you pedaling when the sun burns, and the path turns rough. On March 28-30, 2025, Dutch Ambassador Andre Carstens proved just that, trading diplomatic corridors for the dust and grit of a 163-kilometer cycling expedition from Barishal to the heart of tiger country: WildTeam’s Conservation Biology Centre, TigerHouse, in Joymoni in the Sundarbans. Accompanied by his son, Carstens Jacobus Hermanus, and two other Dutch friends, Niels van den Berge (former Member of Parliament in the Netherlands) and Jongman Karin, Andre wasn’t leading a polished delegation or a media caravan. This was a quiet, deliberate pilgrimage—one that mirrored a similar journey twelve years ago, when a ragtag team of conservationists, diplomats, and students pedaled rickshaws across Bangladesh to sound the alarm for the Bengal tiger. Back then, the mission was to drag the tiger’s plight into the spotlight. This time, it was about feeling the pulse of the Sundarbans firsthand—the heat, the whispers of the mangroves, and the weight of its fragile survival. Andre Carstens, along with the EU Deputy Head of Delegation, Dr. Bernd Spanier, visited the WildTeam Conservation Biology Centre on January 10-11, 2025, for the first time. In less than 80 days, he returned to the same environment just to experience the challenges faced by Bengal tigers, their habitat, and the local communities while also raising awareness among national and international audiences. Andre feels that "People think the Sundarbans is just a forest, but it’s a living, breathing shield for Bangladesh. When you bike through it, you see how much it gives—and how much it’s losing."

The Sundarbans doesn’t make survival easy—not for the tigers that stalk their tangled mangroves, not for the rivers that rewrite its shores with every monsoon, and certainly not for the people who call this wilderness home. But there’s a raw, stubborn beauty in that struggle. This is where Bangladesh’s last tigers hold on, and where, for decades, ordinary people have done extraordinary things to keep their roar alive. Take 2013: twenty strangers including Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Svend Olling, his son, students, entrepreneurs—piled onto cycle rickshaws and pedaled 400 kilometers from Teknaf, the southernmost tip of the country. It was arranged by WildTeam. Their mission? To drag the tiger’s plight into the spotlight. The roads were merciless, the heat suffocating, but something unexpected kept them going. Kids sprinting beside them, shouting ‘Shabash’ (hurrah’)! Fishermen waving from muddy riverbanks. Strangers pressing cups of ‘chaa’ (tea) into their hands. By the time they reached Joymoni, near Mongla at the edge of the Sundarbans, they weren’t just exhausted, they were changed. Twelve years later, today history echoed—this time on two wheels. Charge D'Affaires of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Bangladesh Andre Carstens, his son, Carstens Jacobus Hermanus, and two of his Dutch friends Niels van den Berge and Jongman Karin cycled from Barishal to TigerHouse at Joymoni, near Mongla, WildTeam’s conservation hub deep in tiger country. This is the same place where the rickshaw challengers ended their journey. No fanfare, no big team—just four riders with a simple goal: to feel the land beneath them. They’d biked Bangladesh before, but this was different. Past the brick kilns and rice paddies, past the villages where tigers still slip into backyards, they were tracing a thread between people and wilderness. As Ambassador Carstens and his 29-year-old son cycled toward TigerHouse, Niels’s two-year-old son, Sam, eagerly awaited their arrival with his mother, Sampa, and his grandparents. The young boy’s excitement added a heartwarming touch to the adventure.  

The Sundarbans is crisscrossed by numerous rivers, streams, and canals, which overflow during high tide, allowing water to enter the forest. However, when a fire breaks out in the Sundarbans, an adequate water supply that firefighters can rely on is often unavailable. The absence of nearby water sources causes the fire to spread uncontrollably, making firefighting operations difficult. Firefighters and forest officials frequently struggle to control the blazes, often relying solely on tidal water. If the tide recedes, firefighting efforts must be halted. Sundarbans Fire: Water being used to extinguish remaining flames and prevent reignition To address this issue, the Forest Department is planning to excavate large ponds within the Sundarbans to serve as permanent water sources. Additionally, initiatives have been taken to dredge the rivers and canals to ensure better water flow. Once implemented, these measures will not only meet emergency water demands but also help wildlife meet their water needs.

A new fire broke out in another part of the Sundarbans on Sunday few hours after firelighters brought fire under control in a part in the forest . The Forest Department noticed a blaze in the dense forest area of Shaplar Bil, near the 23 Sher Siler of Dhansagar Patrol Post in the Chandpai Range of the Sundarbans East Division in Bagerhat district. Then the Forest Department has started monitoring the fire using a drone. Kazi Mohammad Nurul Karim, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans East Division, said that they are actively gathering information after reports of the fire at Shaplar Bil. Forest Department staff and fire station workers are on their way to the location and that detailed information would only be available once the forest staff  arrive at the site, he said. Sundarbans fire under control; probe committee formed Bagerhat’s  Sharankhola Fire Station In-charge Aftab-e-Alam  said that fire station personnel have also been dispatched to the site after receiving reports of the new fire. On  Saturday, at around 7am, members of the Forest Department noticed a fire at the Tapar Bil area near the Kolmatji Camp of the Dhansagar Station in the Chandpai Range of the Sundarbans East Division.  Firefighters brought the blaze under full control on Sunday morning, more than 24 hours after it broke out.

The Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is facing an alarming threat as relentless riverbank erosion steadily devours its landmass, displacing communities, destroying infrastructure and shrinking vital forest cover. Spanning the delta region of the Padma, Meghna and Brahmaputra river basins, the Sundarbans is a crucial ecological zone shared between Bangladesh and India. It is home to rich biodiversity, including the endangered Royal Bengal tiger. But continuous erosion is rapidly reshaping the landscape, with islands and coastal land disappearing into the sea. Vanishing Land and Lost Infrastructure Jetties, Forest Department offices and other vital infrastructure are being washed away, forcing officials to abandon their posts. In September last year, the East Sundarbans Division sought assistance from the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) to curb erosion at nine vulnerable locations. Although sand-filled geo bags were placed in front of the Forest Office to mitigate the damage, the measure has largely proven ineffective. Top 3 Books in English on the Bangladesh Sundarbans According to sources in the Forest Department, the situation has worsened over the years, swallowing entire forested areas along with their trees. The jetty at the Dubla Forest Office, several drinking water ponds, cyclone shelters and freshwater reservoirs at Meherali Char have already been lost to the rising tides. Meanwhile, the old rest house and jetty at Katka have disappeared, and the two-storey Bogi Forest Office building is on the brink of collapse into the river. “The forest land is continuously being destroyed, and many trees have already vanished. The old rest house at Katka has gone into the sea, and numerous areas deeper into the Sundarbans have been submerged,” said Soyebur Rahman Suman, in charge of the Katka Sanctuary Centre, a popular tourist spot in the Sundarbans. A Sabur, an officer at Bogi Forest Station, echoed similar concerns. “Our office-cum-barracks are also at risk of being submerged. Staff have been forced to move to alternative shelters to avoid further danger.” Despite efforts to control the damage, the situation has not improved. “The Water Development Board placed sandbags in September and October last year to prevent erosion, but they have not been effective,” added Sabur. Nylon net fencing starts in Sundarbans to prevent tigers entering surrounding localities Nine Critical Zones Under Threat Forest officials have identified nine key locations that are severely affected by erosion: ·         Kachikhali Sanctuary Centre ·         Katka Sanctuary Centre ·         Chandeshwar Patrol Outpost ·         Jelepalli Dubla Patrol Outpost ·         Bogi Forest Station ·         Jhapsi Patrol Outpost ·         Jongra Patrol Outpost ·         Karamjal Wildlife Breeding Centre ·         Shuarmara Patrol Outpost Rana Deb, Sharankhola Range Officer of the Eastern Sundarbans Division, noted that while some forest areas are eroding, new chars (sandbanks) are forming in other river regions. But this offers little consolation given the immense destruction already suffered by the Forest Department, particularly after Cyclone Remal. Funding Shortages Hindering Protection Efforts Abu Raihan Md. Albunni, Executive Engineer of BWDB in Bagerhat, admitted that financial constraints have hindered further erosion prevention efforts. “Sand-filled geo bags were placed in front of Bogi Forest Station, but due to budget limitations, no action has been taken in other erosion-affected areas,” he said. Divisional Forest Officer of the East Sundarbans Division, Kazi Muhammad Nurul Karim, expressed grave concern over the worsening crisis, attributing it in part to climate change. “We sent a letter to the Executive Engineer of BWDB in September last year, requesting urgent intervention at nine locations. Although some geo bags were placed in Bogi, they were ineffective in halting the erosion,” he said. Sundarbans Day to be observed Friday, still awaits national recognition Alarming Shrinkage of the Sundarbans A World Bank report, Coping with Climate Change in the Sundarbans: Lessons from Multidisciplinary Studies (2020), presents alarming evidence of the forest's shrinking footprint. The total area of the Sundarbans (including both Bangladesh and India) measured 11,904 sq km between 1904 and 1924. By 1967, it had reduced to 11,663 sq km, and in 2016, it further declined to 11,506 sq km. According to various sources, the Sundarbans is crisscrossed by approximately 450 rivers and canals, stretching about 350 km in total length. Natural tidal activity continuously reshapes these waterways, causing both erosion and deposition. However, the extent of land loss in the last century has far outpaced natural recovery, posing an existential threat to the forest and its inhabitants. Need for Urgent Action The relentless erosion of the Sundarbans demands immediate intervention from policymakers, conservationists and international stakeholders. Without robust mitigation strategies and sustainable erosion control measures, the continued loss of land will exacerbate climate vulnerability, displace more communities, and push the region’s fragile ecosystem further towards collapse. Conservation projects paying fruit as Sundarbans witness increase in tiger population

In an effort to protect the wild animals from entering into the locality, the government has taken a step to install nylon net fencing covering a 60-km area along the boundaries of the Sundarbans, easing the fear of tigers among thousands of villagers living near the forest. Tigers and other wildlife enter into the locality, making it difficult for the villagers to drive the animals away, causing casualties on both sides due to attacks and counterattacks.  Besides, the natural deposition of silt has filled up rivers and canals, forcing the wildlife animals to leave the forest and enter into villages. Similarly, villagers and their livestock frequently enter the Sundarbans. This marks the first instance of fencing being installed in the Bangladeshi portion of the Sundarbans. On the frontline of disaster-preparedness, Koyra must be given the tools to fight According to the sources at the Forest Department, once the fencing is completed, tigers, deer, wild boars and other animals will no longer be able to enter human settlements and similarly, livestock will be prevented from straying into the forest. The fencing will also restrict unauthorized human entry into the Sundarbans. Villagers living near the Sundarbans claimed that tigers often invade their villages, causing sleepless nights due to fear. The announcement of the fencing has begun to ease their anxiety. Assistant Conservators of Forests (ACFs) Deepen Chandra Das of Chandpai Range and Rana Deb of Sharankhola Range highlighted the fencing’s importance in preserving biodiversity and reducing tiger-related fears among villagers. Efforts are also being made to make local communities aware about protecting the fencing. They urged the government to provide financial incentives for volunteer conservation groups such as the Community Patrol Group, Village Tiger Response Team and Dolphin Conservation Team. Dr. Anwarul Islam, CEO of WildTeam and a wildlife conservation expert, stressed that the fencing will prevent tigers from straying into human settlements but will also put pressure on local communities. He emphasised the need to raise awareness among villagers and establish a social security system to protect the fencing. He further pointed out that maintenance of the fencing is crucial. Daily monitoring is required and the Forest Department must take strict action against vandalism, he said. He also recommended offering incentives for forest staff to ensure their dedication to conservation efforts.

Despite lacking official recognition, ‘Sundarbans Day’ will be observed on Friday in the coastal districts, including Bagerhat and Khulna, with renewed calls for the government to acknowledge it nationally. The Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, is home to diverse animal species and unique flora. Since 2002, coastal communities adjacent to the Sundarbans have marked this day, with divisional-level events held in Khulna. Besides, youth forums in 17 upazilas across five Sundarbans-adjacent districts will observe the day. Even after 23 years, authorities have yet to respond to appeals for official recognition. Organisers believe that a nationally recognised ‘Sundarbans Day’ would enhance the forest’s status and promote its significance both domestically and internationally. Top 3 Books in English on the Bangladesh Sundarbans Such recognition, they argue, would also contribute to conservation efforts. A Natural Wonder at Risk The Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies in southwestern Bangladesh along the Bay of Bengal and has evolved into a natural marvel. In 1878, it was declared a reserved forest, spanning 6,017 square kilometres, including 4,143 square kilometres of land and 1,873 square kilometres of water bodies. More than half of the Sundarbans is now a protected area. The ecosystem is globally recognised for its rich biodiversity, serving as a habitat for the Royal Bengal Tiger and acting as a natural barrier against cyclones and tidal surges. The Sundarbans also offers the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people and attracts both domestic and foreign tourists with its mesmerising landscapes. Conservation projects paying fruit as Sundarbans witness increase in tiger population Experts warn that climate change poses a grave threat to the mangrove forest, with cyclones and tidal surges repeatedly causing damage. Yet, nature's resilience has allowed it to recover time and again. Calls for National Recognition In 1997, UNESCO designated three wildlife sanctuaries in the Sundarbans as World Heritage Sites. The forest's name is believed to derive from the abundance of 'Sundari' trees, though some argue it originates from 'Samundarbana' (forest by the sea), given its proximity to the Bay of Bengal. The first comprehensive survey of the Sundarbans was conducted between 1769 and 1773.

The Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, stretches across Bangladesh and India, with approximately 60% of its vast 10,000 sqkm expanse lying within Bangladesh’s borders. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 and a RAMSAR site in 1992, this unique ecosystem is home to rich biodiversity and serves as Bangladesh’s last stronghold for the endangered Bengal tiger. For those looking to explore the history, ecology, and mysteries of this remarkable forest, here are three essential English-language books on the Sundarbans. 3 Best English-Language Books on Sundarbans in Bangladesh  If you're specifically looking for books on the Sundarbans in Bangladesh, here are three top recommendations covering its ecology, history, culture, and conservation: The Man-Eating Tigers of Sundarbans by Montgomery "The Man-Eating Tigers of Sundarbans" by Sy Montgomery is an engaging exploration of the Sundarbans, a vast mangrove forest along the Bay of Bengal in India and Bangladesh, renowned for its unique population of tigers. Montgomery's narrative delves into the mysteries surrounding these tigers, blending scientific inquiry with local folklore and firsthand accounts. She offers insights into the tigers' behavior, the challenging environment of the mangrove swamps, and the complex relationship between the tigers and the local communities who both revere and fear them. Read more: Tracing the Roots of Ekushey Boi Mela Critics have praised Montgomery's ability to turn a scientific study into a page-turning mystery. Her writing is noted for its fresh, engaging style that captivates readers, making complex subjects accessible and intriguing. Overall, "The Man-Eating Tigers of Sundarbans" offers a fascinating and informative journey into one of the world's most enigmatic regions, providing a balanced perspective that honors both scientific understanding and the rich cultural narratives of the local people. The Bangladesh Sundarbans by Enayetullah Khan "The Bangladesh Sundarbans" by Enayetullah Khan, published in 2011, offers a detailed description of the world's largest mangrove forest. The book delves into the diverse flora and fauna of the Sundarbans and provides insights into the lives of its inhabitants, exploring their lifestyle, beliefs, social customs, and the profound connection they share with the forest. The author illustrates the natural history of this spectacular forest. A brief overview of the lives and means of subsistence of the forest's resource users is also included in this book. "The Bangladesh Sundarbans" reveals how this forest serves as a natural barrier against cyclones and tidal surges.  Read more: Rich Dad Poor Dad– Worth Reading in Your Quarantine The book is enriched with photographs that capture the landscape, people, and wildlife of the Sundarbans, providing readers with a visual context to the compelling narrative.  Critics have praised the book for its comprehensive portrayal of the Sundarbans' natural beauty and cultural richness. Readers interested in the intricate relationship between the Sundarbans' ecosystem and its people may find this book particularly enlightening. Sundarbans and its Ecosystem Services: Traditional Knowledge, Customary Sustainable Use and Community-Based Innovation by Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir (Editor) This edited collection explores traditional knowledge, customary sustainable usage, and community-based innovation in the Sundarbans, the world's largest single-tract continuous mangrove forest. To show that indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) is crucial for the preservation and sustainable use of natural resources, the book examines the Sundarbans' current condition as well as its many values and ecosystem services.  In addition to being crucial to the achievement of SDGs 14 (life below water) and 15 (life on land), this forest also actively aids in the accomplishment of numerous other objectives. By placing human-nature relationships in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic-heightened interest in biodiversity and climate change, the book offers a fresh perspective on sustainability.  Read more: 10 Best eBook Reader Apps for Android, iOS For sustainable development, the book connects scientific knowledge with the multi, inter, and trans-disciplinary character of ILK gathered from the bottom-up level. The market-based approach to valuing natural resources is contested in this book.  Conclusion The Sundarbans in Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It covers about 6,017 sqkm in Bangladesh and extends into India. This unique ecosystem is located in the southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh, mainly in the Khulna, Satkhira, and Bagerhat districts.  So far, we have reviewed the top 3 English books written on the Sundarbans in Bangladesh. These books can enlighten readers about the location, geography, ecosystem, and biodiversity of the Sundarbans. Read more: Benefits of Reading Habit for Mind and Body

Forest officials in a drive seized 25 kgs of deer venison from Jongla area under Chandpai Range of the Sundarbans East Zone in Bagerhat district.Tipped off, a team of forest officials conducted a drive in the area on Sunday and challenged a boat at a canal, two kilometers away from the Sundarbans. 4 deer die while being shifted to Bogura from Dhaka ZooLater, they seized the venison, deer skin, deer head, trap and a boat, said Dipon Chandra Das, said assistant forest conservator of Chandpai Range.However, the forest officials could not arrest anyone as the poachers managed to flee the scene.The seized items were sent to the Khulna. Two men arrested for hunting deer in BagerhatOn January 15, the forest officials seized 30 kgs of venison, two heads, seven legs and a trap from the Sundarbans.  

The International SeaKeepers Society Bangladesh Chapter, in collaboration with WildTeam, has launched a groundbreaking plastic waste management initiative at the WildTeam Conservation Biology Centre (TigerHouse) in the Sundarbans. This pioneering programme, spearheaded by SeaKeepers, underscores their steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable waste management practices. Held on January 10, the launch event was attended by distinguished guests, including the Dutch Ambassador to Bangladesh, Andre Carstens, and the EU Deputy Head of Delegation, Dr. Bernd Spanier, who joined local volunteers and community members in this impactful campaign. Exploring Sundarbans: A Journey of natural wonders, global responsibility