Context

According to the observations of the experts, fresh groundwater may be found deeper than 250 metres and, in some cases, the groundwater is saline in nature in Sundarbans.

Concerns Raised by the Report

• Release of Microplastics: 

  • The environmental study report further found four million tonnes of microplastics are released into the Bay of Bengal and the Sundarbans each year from various rivers in Bangladesh and India. 
    • Additionally, less sweet water enters the Sundarbans mangrove system. 

• Dependent on Tidal Rivers and Mangroves: 

  • Sundarbans is situated in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) delta and depends on the tidal rivers and mangroves. 
    • The rivers are mostly saline as they are disconnected from the ‘parent river’. The scarcity of freshwater is the burning issue in the Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve. 

• Major Impacting Factors: 

  • These include river erosion, exploitation of forest resources, conflicts between humans and animals, trafficking of women, human interference (tourist activities, fishing, small-scale businesses, etc), hunting of wild animals and unemployment. 
    • According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the temperature rise has detrimental impacts on the estuarine ecosystem of the mangrove forest. 
    • Moreover, the use of non-forest land for mangrove forestation further exacerbates the situation.
    • Chemicals such as hydrocarbons and marine paints, caused by Bangladesh’s Mongla Port and India’s Leather Estate, contaminate the rivers and water ecosystem. 

• Coastal Erosion: 

• • Due to this, lands have been encroached by the saline river’s water. It has forced many residents to migrate to cities and small towns of West Bengal and other parts of India.  
    • Out of the 104 islands in India, 54 are inhabited by humans.  

• Impact on Forest Dwellers: 

  • The increase in salinity in the water, environmental pollution, socio-political disturbances, changes in biodiversity and sea level, changing characteristics of local rivers and creeks, river erosion and infrastructure issues have made the situation difficult for the forest dwellers. 
    • Corruption and fraudulent practices by stakeholders gradually increase the challenges faced by the Sundarbans ecosystem.

Using Mangrove Resources to Protect the Sundarbans

• Restoring Pond Water Ecosystem: Different aquatic plants and mangrove seedlings like E crassipes, P stratiotes, R mucronata and B gymnorrhiza, as well as two different seaweeds such as S wightii and K alvarezii and algae Anabaena sp can  be used to restore the pond’s water ecosystem. 
• Indigenous Indian major carps such as Rohu (Labeo rohita), Catla (Catla catla), Mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala), Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), Bhetki (Lates calcarifer), Parse (Mugil parsia) and Bhangar (Mugil tada) can aid in restoring ponds’ water ecosystem.
• Wastewater Treatment: The main species involved in effective wastewater treatment are lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus plantarum, L casei and Streptococcus lacti and photosynthetic bacteria such as Rhodopseudomonas palustrus and Rhodobacter spaeroide. 
• Exiguobacterium aurantiacum has the capability of degrading phenol and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. 
• Mineralisation of Organic Wastes: Bacterial species belonging to the genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Cellulomonas, Rhodoseudomonas, Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter are known to help in this.
• • It is recommended that biofilters be installed to trap debris and promote the growth of beneficial bacteria.
  • Installing solar pond fountain aerators can further improve the ecosystem. 

Way Forward

• Nature-Based Solutions: These can be a good way to support the people and environment of Sundarbans. One such example is for protecting streambanks. 
• Instead of cultivating vetiver, which is not a local species and lacks salt tolerance, other grass species such as Wild rice (Porteresia coarctata), Myriostachya wightiana, Biscuit grass (Paspalum vaginatum), and salt couch grass (Sporobolus virginicus) could be cultivated.
• Promoting Sustainable Agriculture: Soil-tolerant paddy varieties such as Darsal, Nona Bokra, Talmugur, etc. should be cultivated.
  • Crop cultivation should be promoted by the government and non governmental organisations to support sustainable agriculture. 
  • Implementing rainwater harvesting and watershed development initiatives will further enhance agricultural production.
  • Minimising the usage of submersible pumps and promoting the establishment of women-run self-help groups and farmer producer organisations to initiate green businesses can contribute to sustainable development.
  • Efforts should be made to stop unscientific agricultural practices and unsustainable irrigation methods. 
  • Exploring opportunities for carbon credits can support development activities while encouraging sustainable practices. 
• Promoting Organic Agriculture: This can help farmers increase their income while maintaining environmental health. 
• Establishing Agro-based Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises: This can contribute to improving rural gross domestic products and creating employment opportunities. 
  • Supporting medicinal plant cultivation can provide additional income sources for farmers. 
  • Utilising non-timber forest resources to develop various products can promote economic growth while ensuring the conservation of natural resources.
•  Policies Focusing on Solar and Bio-Energy: This can significantly aid in supporting livelihoods in the region. 
• Gender Equality: It is paramount in Indian society and women-run farmer producer organisations and self-help groups should be given priority in the implementation and design of any development projects in Sundarbans.
• Healthcare: Establishing well-equipped healthcare facilities that adhere to global standards is essential for the Sundarbans’ inhabitants. 
• Waste Management: Effective solid and liquid waste management, along with water, sanitation and hygiene practices, are crucial for sustainability in the Sundarbans.
• Disaster preparedness and mitigation policies: They are imperative for addressing climate risks in the Sundarbans. 
  • Proper conceptualisation and implementation of such policies can complement other development projects in the region.
• Responsible and Sustainable Tourism: The unique cuisine and culture of Sundarbans have the potential to attract tourists to the area, contributing to its economic growth. 
  • It is essential to ensure that projects dedicated to the Sundarbans undergo thorough auditing and monitoring by capable agencies to ensure their effectiveness and accountability.
• Information, education and communication activities: This will help to promote sustainability and cleanliness among stakeholders.