T H E L A R G E R  P E R S P E C T I V E

Sundarbans is a mangrove area in the delta formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna Rivers in the Bay of Bengal. The mangrove forest covers an area of about 10,000 sq.km (3,900 sq mi), of which forests in Bangladesh's Khulna Division extend over 6,017 sq.km (2,323 sq mi) and in West Bengal, they extend over 4,260 sq.km (1,640 sq mi). The sediments deposits of both the rivers results in large mudflats. During the monsoons the area turns into a freshwater swamp forest.