Sea level rise threatens Sundarbans

The Sundarbans in India, the world's largest mangrove forest, is facing erosion due to rising sea levels. Stroming has advised WWF India on the future of this area, emphasizing that sustainable development, with an integrated approach, offers opportunities and solutions for the area that benefit both nature and the people (4.5 million residents!).

Highlight unique characteristics and establish flexible transition zones

Stroming's advice is to explicitly mention the unique characteristics of the area (which also serves as an important tiger reserve) in the vision and establish a flexible transition zone in the most vulnerable agricultural areas. This can be done by relocating the embankments/dikes (which are currently mostly along the waterways) further back and allowing mangrove forests to develop on the outer embanked land. This will reduce wave action, provide a firmer foundation for the embankments, and create space for nature and natural processes.

Collaboration with local communities

Local communities can use the transition zone for wood, honey, fish, clay mining, and the construction of appropriate tourist facilities (on stilts/mounds or floating). Additionally, local communities can be more involved in the design and management of the embankments, which are currently constructed and maintained by the central government. The transition zone will vary from island to island, depending on the local situation and needs. An additional opportunity lies in the proximity to the city of Kolkata (Calcutta). By involving urban dwellers more, support and financial resources can be generated.

The advice provided by Stroming will be incorporated into the vision that WWF India is developing for the area. This vision will be discussed at the end of June 2010, including with the Indian Minister of Environment.