Endangered species of Sundarbans
Sundarban is home to 334 floral, 300 birds, 120 fish, 35 reptiles and 32 different mammal species, including the emblematic Royal Bengal tiger and several species of dolphins and reptiles.
This chart depicts some of the diverse flora and fauna of Sundarbans.
How to read?
The numbers along the circle denote the number of species. (Eg: 4 echinoderms species could be starfish, sea urchin, sea cucumber and sand dollar) Labels radiating outside the circle list the endangered species (as per the IUCN Endangerment status)
Amongst the rich biodiversity of the Indian Sundarbans delta, 14 species of reptiles, 6 species of birds and 5 species of mammals are currently classified as endangered. Some are more critically endangered than others. Below are illustrations of them.
Human Tiger conflict
Sundarbans is home to the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger. But it is also home to lakhs of people. At the forest society interface, there are many instances of tiger attacks on humans.
The reason for the high number of tiger attacks in the Sundarbans is due to the deforestation of the tigers' natural habitats and a decline in their prey populations. Around 180 Bengal tigers and about 30,000 spotted deer are there in the forest currently.
Geographical isolation, poverty and limited economic opportunities has led to frequent venturing of people into the protected forests.
Zoom into the map to see most of the attacks happening in the periphery of the forest.
As seen below, most of the attacks happen on ground or boat affecting fishermen, crab collectors etc.
Up next, discover more about the current situation of the people of Sundarbans
Made with ♥ in IDC | Alivia Chaudhuri