All You Need To Know About Mangrove Plants In Sundarbans

The beauty of nature is gifted but the choice of mother nature is impeccable.

Sundarbans is in the extreme south of West Bengal. The main origin of this name is also in Bengal and Bengali dictionaries. This forest is quite famous around the globe because of its beauty and critical weather. This place inherits the Mangrove Forest which is the largest ecosystem of its kind in this world. Mangrove trees and plants present in this region are a support system for living beings and apart from that it is capable of saving this place from soil erosion and destruction to great extent.

Mangrove: What is the Specialty?

Mangrove resembles tropical plants which are adapted through loose, wet, and salty soil with a damp atmosphere. They are mostly found in coastal swamp areas and tropical regions. The soil here is exposed to seawater. It is also submerged periodically by tides. As the soil is loose here, the trees have tangled roots. The ending of the roots is above the soil to avoid salt water. These forests are very dense.

Mangrove Forest: The Species

Heritiera is the most famous and dominating one in this area. The local name of this species is Sundri or Sundari. It is believed that the name of the Sundarbans was derived from this tree due to its high density here. There are nearly 50 kinds of mangrove trees all over the world, among which 26 can be found in the Sundarbans. You can find Hargoja, Khalsi, Tora, Kalo Baine, and many other species here.

Effect on Soil: Preventing Corrosions

Sundarbans is the southmost part of West Bengal. Mangroves have deep and net-like root structure which keeps soil in its place. It acts like a shock absorber during tides and storms. They can reduce high tides and prevent soil erosion. Furthermore, the deep roots help in the soil making too. If it was not for the mangroves, the coastal area would have been washed off until now.

Effect on Locals: Human influence

Mangrove forests have a significant effect on the civilization around the Sundarbans. The forest is rich as a natural source of wood, honey, coconuts, and many more things. This forest has influenced tourism too. Many people from all over India visit here to witness the beauty of the flora and fauna.

Ecosystem: Balance & Danger

The Sundarbans are rich with many exotic species, not only plants but also animals. The dense forest keeps them safe and distant from external threats. In recent times restrictions have been made to preserve the ecosystem more efficiently.