Why in news ?
- Debate triggered after Union Environment Minister said Sundarbans tourism is under-exploited, comparing ~9–9.5 lakh annual visitors with ~19 lakh in Ranthambore, raising questions on tourism as climate-adaptation strategy.
- Experts caution that Sundarbans is ecologically fragile, disaster-prone, and densely populated, making scale and model of tourism more critical than raw tourist numbers.
- Context links tourism with climate-induced loss and damage (L&D) and livelihood diversification in one of India’s most climate-vulnerable regions.
Relevance
- GS1 (Geography): Mangroves, coastal vulnerability
- GS2 (Governance): Climate adaptation, disaster policy
- GS3 (Environment): Climate change, biodiversity
Basics and background
- Sundarbans is the world’s largest contiguous mangrove forest (~19,000 sq km across India–Bangladesh) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for biodiversity and Royal Bengal Tiger habitat.
- Indian Sundarbans cover ~4,000 sq km in West Bengal, with over 4.5 million residents dependent on agriculture, fishing, and forest resources.
- Region is low-lying, tidally influenced, and cyclone-prone, making it a frontline zone for sea-level rise and climate extremes.
Climate vulnerability and loss–damage context
- Sundarbans frequently face cyclones, floods, and tidal surges, whose intensity and frequency are rising with climate change in the Bay of Bengal.
- Study across 48 inhabited islands shows agriculture most climate-affected (impact score 4.27/5) and fishery moderately affected (2.52/5).
- Nearly three-fifths of surveyed families reported migration due to disaster-linked livelihood stress, showing climate-induced displacement pressures.
Non-economic loss and damage (NELD)
- NELD includes psychological trauma, cultural erosion, social disruption, and educational discontinuity, often invisible in GDP-based damage assessments.
- Among 75 students (12–16 years) across 10 islands, most experienced ~4 cyclones, with ~60 showing persistent trauma and disaster anxiety.
- Reports show 40 land productivity losses, 25 house damages, 30 school disruptions, indicating deep social impacts beyond economic loss.
Tourism potential: opportunities
- Carefully designed eco-tourism can diversify livelihoods, reducing dependence on climate-sensitive agriculture and fisheries.
- Community-based tourism can generate income for boat operators, guides, homestays, handicrafts, and local services, spreading climate-risk.
- Mangrove and wildlife tourism can incentivise conservation-linked livelihoods, aligning ecology and economy.
Ecological and governance risks
- Sundarbans’ carrying capacity is unassessed, making large-scale tourism scientifically risky for fragile mangrove and delta ecosystems.
- Mangroves act as natural coastal buffers, and ecosystem disturbance can weaken storm protection functions.
- Illegal tourism already violates CRZ norms and NGT orders, reflecting weak regulatory enforcement.
Comparative perspective
- Comparing Sundarbans with Ranthambore is ecologically flawed; Sundarbans is riverine, dispersed, and sighting-based tourism is inherently uncertain.
- Ranthambore supports safari tourism on firm terrain, whereas Sundarbans relies on boat-based, low-density access, limiting scale.
- Tourism models must reflect ecosystem type, hazard exposure, and settlement density.
Institutional and funding dimension
- Sundarbans hold over 42% of India’s mangrove cover, yet West Bengal reportedly receives relatively lower central mangrove-conservation funding.
- Expansion as a major tiger reserve indicates conservation success but also requires balancing tourism with habitat protection.
- Climate adaptation finance and conservation funding remain critical.
Challenges and criticisms
- Risk of over-commercialisation in a fragile delta could damage biodiversity and increase disaster exposure.
- Tourism income may be seasonal and unevenly distributed, not a complete substitute for primary livelihoods.
- Infrastructure expansion can increase ecological footprint and disaster vulnerability.
Way forward
- Conduct scientific carrying-capacity and vulnerability assessments before scaling tourism.
- Promote low-impact, community-based eco-tourism, not mass tourism.
- Strict enforcement of CRZ norms, NGT orders, and mangrove protection laws.
- Integrate tourism with climate adaptation planning and disaster-resilient infrastructure.
- Channel climate finance for livelihood diversification, education, and mental health support.
