<h4>Geographical Extent of Sundarbans</h4><p>The <strong>Sundarbans</strong>, the world's largest mangrove forest, is a transboundary ecosystem. Approximately <strong>40%</strong> of this unique region lies within <strong>India</strong>, while the remaining portion is situated in <strong>Bangladesh</strong>.</p><div class='info-box'><p><strong>Key Fact:</strong> The Sundarbans delta spans across the <strong>Ganges</strong>, <strong>Brahmaputra</strong>, and <strong>Meghna</strong> river basins.</p></div><h4>UNESCO World Heritage Site Status</h4><p>The Sundarbans has received international recognition for its outstanding universal value. It was designated a <strong>UNESCO World Heritage Site</strong> in two phases, reflecting its transboundary nature.</p><ul><li>The <strong>Indian Sundarbans</strong> received this prestigious status in <strong>1987</strong>.</li><li>The <strong>Bangladesh Sundarbans</strong> was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in <strong>1997</strong>.</li></ul><h4>Ramsar Site Recognition</h4><p>Further bolstering its protected status, the <strong>Sundarban Wetland, India</strong>, was acknowledged under the <strong>Ramsar Convention</strong>.</p><div class='info-box'><p><strong>Date of Recognition:</strong> The Indian Sundarban Wetland was declared a <strong>'Wetland of International Importance'</strong> in <strong>January 2019</strong>.</p></div><h4>Project Tiger's Impact on Sundarbans</h4><p><strong>Project Tiger</strong> stands as a pivotal conservation initiative for the Sundarbans. Its primary objective was to safeguard the habitat of the iconic <strong>Royal Bengal Tiger</strong>.</p><div class='key-point-box'><p><strong>Significance:</strong> By protecting the <strong>Royal Bengal Tiger</strong> population, <strong>Project Tiger</strong> effectively extended protection to the entire, unique <strong>Sundarbans ecosystem</strong>.</p></div><h4>India-Bangladesh Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)</h4><p>Recognizing the shared responsibility for this vital ecosystem, <strong>India</strong> and <strong>Bangladesh</strong> formalized their cooperation.</p><div class='info-box'><p><strong>Agreement:</strong> In <strong>2013</strong>, both nations signed an <strong>MoU on the Conservation of the Sundarbans</strong>. This agreement underscored the mutual need for monitoring and conserving the region.</p></div><h4>Biosphere Reserve and Protected Areas</h4><p>The Sundarbans is also designated as a <strong>Biosphere Reserve (BR)</strong>, a recognition by <strong>UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme</strong>. This status emphasizes sustainable development alongside conservation.</p><p>Within the broader Biosphere Reserve, several specific <strong>protected areas</strong> exist, including national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, ensuring stringent conservation measures.</p><ul><li><strong>Sundarbans National Park</strong> (India)</li><li><strong>Sundarbans East Wildlife Sanctuary</strong> (India)</li><li><strong>Sundarbans West Wildlife Sanctuary</strong> (India)</li><li><strong>Sundarbans South Wildlife Sanctuary</strong> (India)</li><li><strong>Sundarbans Reserve Forest</strong> (Bangladesh)</li></ul><div class='exam-tip-box'><p><strong>UPSC Insight:</strong> Understanding the multi-layered protection (UNESCO, Ramsar, Project Tiger, Biosphere Reserve, Bilateral MoUs) of the <strong>Sundarbans</strong> is crucial for Mains answers on conservation models and international cooperation in environment.</p></div>