Wildlife Management Issues of Sundarban Mangrove Forest with Special Reference to Reptiles

Abstract

Sundarban mangrove forest is famous for wildlife especially tigers. It is the only mangrove tigerland in the world. A lot of Sundarban mangrove forest management activities are centred round this Royal Bengal Tiger species, being the big cat of topmost importance. However, herein, it is emphasized that Sundarban mangrove forest is also famous for a number of reptilian species, viz., Batagur Turtle, Olive Ridley Turtle, King Cobra, Estuarine Crocodile, Water Monitor, etc., which need to be preserved and protected from wildlife trade and trafficking from this forest sources. As such, in the present paper, conservation concerns and management approaches of these reptilian resources are discussed relevant to the Sundarban mangrove forest along with legal issues, strict vigilance, and administrative empowerment of local Panchayat bodies to deal with the endangered species protection and preservation authenticated by local forest authorities.