Why in the news?

  • Estimated population of saltwater crocodiles has shown an uptick in the Sundarban Biosphere reserve compared to last year.

Sundarban Biosphere Reserve

  • Location: On the delta of the Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers in the Bay of Bengal.
  • Include: This Biosphere Reserve includes Sundarban Tiger Reserve, Sundarban National Park (core area), Halliday Island and Lothian Island Wildlife Sanctuaries with Sajnakhali Wildlife Sanctuary forming its buffer area.
  • Protection: It is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • Flora: The vegetation of the area is moist tropical forests, tidal forests and mangroves.
  • Fauna: It is home to Royal Bengal Tiger, Estuarine Crocodile, Gangetic Dolphin, Water Monitor Lizard etc.
  • Features:
    • It is a transboundary delta and mangrove forest lie between Indian and Bangladesh.
    • Protection Status Allotted to Sundarbans
      • Ramsar Site
      • Tiger Reserve
      • National Park
      • UNESCO World Heritage Site

Saltwater Crocodile

  • Features:
    • Largest of all Crocodilians.
    • It is also called the ‘estuarine crocodile’ and as the name suggests, is typically found in the brackish water of estuaries.
    • It can also tolerate saltwater in the oceans and can travel long distances over the open ocean, making use of tidal currents.
  • Habitat:
    • In India – Sundarbans, Bhitarkanika National Park and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
    • Around the World – Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Australia and the Solomon Islands.
    • Mangrove forests and Coastal habitats are inhabited.
  • Threats: Habitat destruction, fragmentation, and transformation, fishing activities and hunting for crocodile body parts for medicinal purposes.
  • Protection Status:
    • IUCN List of Threatened Species: Least Concern
    • CITES: Appendix I (except the populations of Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, which are included in Appendix II).
    • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I