RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DESTRUCTION OF SUNDARBANS MANGROVE FOREST, BANGLADESH: A REVIEW FROM CLIMATE CHANGE PERSPECTIVE

Sundarbans mangrove forest is the largest continuous mangrove track of the world which is shared by Bangladesh and India. The Sundarbans reserved forest of Bangladesh constitutes around 51% of the country's protected area and more than 3 million people depend on its resources. But the forest is under threats by anthropogenic interventions and climate change. The objective of this paper is to synthesize published works on the impact of climate change on Sundarbans. This paper is based on the desktop review of relevant literature focused on the impact of climate change on Sundarbans. Snowball sampling method was used to select relevant literature. This article conceptualizes from the spatial and temporal point of view. Along with the anthropogenic pressure, climate change has sped up the annihilation of Sundarbans though increasing level of salinity, decreasing freshwater supply, irregular rainfall and sea level rise. The frequency and severity of landfalls of cyclonic storms over the coastal zones increased in the last couple of decades. Projection suggests that one-meter rise in sea level is enough to make Sundarbans disappear from the map of Bangladesh. Comprehensive conservation measures need be taken at the local, regional, national and international level to protect the world's largest mangrove forest.