IUBAT: International University of Business Agriculture and Technology

ENG 250: Public Speaking

Prepared For: Wg Cdr Kazi Abdul Matin (Retd) (Course Instructor)

Prepared By: Sanjana Rahman ID # 09102112 Program: BBA Section: C Date: 7th February, 2012

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Aim: The aim of my presentation is to provide some basic information about Sundarbans, and some recommendation to protect Sundarbans. Sequence: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. About Sundarbans History Economical impact Contribution in popular culture Summary Recommendation

About Sundarbans:
The Sundarbans is the largest littoral mangrove forest in the world, stretching 80km (50mi) into the Bangladeshi hinterland from the coast. Since 1966 the Sundarbans has been a wildlife sanctuary, and it is estimated that there are now 400 Royal Bengal tigers and about 30,000 spotted deer in the area. For the last three years Sundarbans has been competing for the worlds top seven natural wonder, and last year it was in 27 th position, but could not took place in top seven.

History:
The history of the area can be traced back to 200300 AD. A ruin of a city built by Chand Sadagar has been found in the Baghmara Forest Block. During the Mughal period, the Mughal Kings leased the forests of the Sundarbans to nearby residents. Many criminals took refuge in the Sundarbans from the advancing armies of Emperor Akbar. Many have been known to be attacked by Tiger many of the buildings which were built by them later fell to hands of Portuguese pirates, salt smugglers and pirates in the 17th century. Evidence of the fact can be traced from the ruins at Netidhopani and other places scattered all over Sundarbans. The legal status of the forests underwent a series of changes, including the distinction of being the first mangrove forest in the world to be brought under scientific management. The area was mapped first in Persian, by the Surveyor General as early as 1764 following soon after proprietary rights were confiscated from the Mughal Emperor Alamgir II by the British East India Company in 1757. As the British had no expertise or adaptation experience in mangrove forests. Systematic management of this forest tract started in the 1860s after the establishment of a Forest Department in the Province of Bengal, in British India. The management was entirely designed to extract whatever treasures were available, but labor and lower management mostly were staffed by locals.

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Sundarbans at a Glance:

Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world (140,000 ha). Sundarbans is one of the famous world heritage declared by UNESCO. Sundarbans is the homeland of world famous Royal Bengal Tiger. About 30,000 beautiful spotted deer live in Sundarbans. There are over 120 different species of fish in Sundarbans. In Sundarbans, not less than 270 varieties of birds are found. More than 50 species of reptiles have found in Sundarbans.

General Information: AREA: Nearly 2400 sq. miles or 6000 sq. km. FOREST LIMITS: North-Bagerhat, Khulna and Sathkira districts : South-Bay of Bengal; EastBaleswar (or Haringhata) river, Perojpur, Barisal district, and West-Raimangal and Hariabhanga rivers which partially form Bangladesh boundary with West Bengal in India. MAIN ATTRACTIONS: Wildlife photography including photography of the famous Royal Bengal Tiger, wildlife viewing, boating inside the forest will call recordings, nature study, meeting fishermen, wood-cutters and honey-collectors, peace and tranquility in the wilderness, seeing the world's largest mangrove forest and the riverine beauty. FAMOUS SPOTS: Hiron Point (Nilkamal) for tiger, deer, monkey, crocodiles, birds and natural beauty. Katka for deer, tiger, crocodiles, varieties of birds and monkey, morning and evening symphony of wild fowls. Vast expanse of grassy meadows running from Katka to Kachikhali (Tiger Point) provide opportunities for wild tracking. Tin Kona Island for tiger and deer. Dublar Char (Island) for fishermen. It is a beautiful island where herds of spotted deer are often seen to graze. Economical Impact: The Sundarbans has a population of over 4 million but much of it is mostly free of permanent human habitation. The Sundarbans plays an important role in the economy of the southwestern region of Bangladesh as well as in the national economy. It is the single largest source of forest produce in the country. The forest provides raw materials for wood based industries. In addition to traditional forest produce like timber, fuelwood, pulpwood etc., large scale harvest of non wood forest products such as thatching materials, honey, bees-wax, fish, and crustacean and mollusk resources of the forest takes place regularly. The vegetated tidal lands of the Sundarbans also function as an essential habitat, produces nutrients and purifies water. The
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forest also traps nutrient and sediment, acts as a storm barrier, shore stabilizer and energy storage unit. Last but not the least, the Sunderbans provides a wonderful aesthetic attraction for local and foreign tourists. The forest also has immense protective and productive functions. Constituting 51% of the total reserved forest estate of Bangladesh, it contributes about 41% of total forest revenue and accounts for about 45% of all timber and fuel wood output of the country (FAO 1995). A number of industries (e.g. newsprint mill, match factory, hardboard, boat building, furniture making) are based on the raw materials obtained from the Sundarbans ecosystem. Various nontimber forest products and plantations help generate considerable employment and income generation opportunities for at least half a million poor coastal population. It also provides natural protection to life and properties of the coastal population in the cyclone prone Bangladesh. Contribution in popular culture: The Sunderbans is celebrated through numerous Bengali folk songs and dances, often centered around the folk heroes, gods and goddesses specific to the Sunderbans (like Bonbibi and Dakshin Rai) and to the Lower Gangetic Delta (like Manasa and Chand Sadagar). The Bengali folk epic Manasamangal mentions Netidhopani and has some passages set in the Sunderbans during the heroine Behula's quest to bring her husband Lakhindar back to life. Recommendation to save Sundarbans: The local people of Sundarbans must be provided with education, training and employment to earn their livelihood. Proper awareness can be created through the campaign program to protect Sundarbans. Summary: So far I have discussed about Sundarban, it is one of the largest mangrove forest in the world. For the last three years Sundarbans has been competing for the worlds top seven natural wonder, and last year it was in 27th position, but could not took place in top seven. Sundarbans is one of the famous world heritage declared by UNESCO. Sundarbans is the homeland of world famous Royal Bengal Tiger, forest limit and the main attraction of Sundarbans. Economical impact of Sundarbans in Bangladesh. The forest also has immense protective and productive
functions. Constituting 51% of the total reserved forest estate of Bangladesh, it contributes about 41% of total forest revenue and accounts for about 45% of all timber and fuel wood output of the country (FAO 1995) and Contribution of Sundarbans in popular culture of Bangladesh. Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sundarbans http://nature.new7wonders.com/archives/wonder/sundarbans 4|Page