The forest around the Bay of Bengal is home to more tigers than anywhere in the world. Readers can learn about their habitat and the myths that surround them.

This book brings together 45 years’ worth of experience-derived information about more than 7,000 micro- and macro- species, which form the unique bio-diversity of the world’s largest mangrove ecosystem, as it struggles against the natural and anthropogenic threats. Up to 1770, the estimated area of Sundarbans was around 36,000 km2, but has reduced over time to 25,000 km2, due to reclamation. This loss and the related degradation of habitats has caused historical species extinction and population decline. Whereas biodiversity conservation within and beyond the protected areas has been the watchword since the 1990s (“biodiversity, aesthetic values and integrity”), the initial two hundred years of imperial and post-colonial forest management focused primarily on revenue and production forestry, to the detriment of the ecology of the area. It will be of interest to researchers, in zoology, botany, ecology and conservation, as well as professionals, such as foresters, environmentalists, conservationists, resource managers, planners, government agencies, academic institutions, NGOs and naturalists.

The book is about the colonization of the Sunderbans that began with the coming of the British. For two centuries, land-hungry peasants strove to transform the tidal forest vegetation into an agro- ecosystem dominated by paddy fields and fish culture. The construction of a permanent railroad led to the spreading of the co- operative movement, the formation of peasant organizations, and finally culminated in open rebellion by the peasants (tebhaga).

The tourists of Sundarbans including the researchers are always interested to know more about the unknown fact with regard to the people of these amazing forests and tiger-land of Sundarbans, their daily struggle for survival, their cultural heritage and also about the forests and wild life in particular. But, hardly the find all the information available to their satisfaction and need. Obviously, at the end of their journey over Sundarbans the tourists or the researchers get disappointed. On the other hand, its true that the numerous and vast islands of Sundarbans located at the remotest corners of Sundarban delta hold certain historical, ecological and anthropological back ground which are still untold or even unexplored. Hence, It is also equally essential to bring about all these hidden treasure of information attached to this unique ‘world heritage site’ to the knowledge of all concerned, tourists and foreigners as well. A continual & detailed search over a period of last 18 years conducted through the Indian and Bangladesh parts of Sundarbans on the various aspects/issues could reveal probably a part of such untold and unexplored treasure of information. As a result, the proposed Hand Book or the Tourist Guide will surely provide a fair idea to the tourists, foreigners and researchers about the most fascinating subject matters of different aspects of Sundarbans concerning history, people, life, wild life and mangrove-brakish water-marine ecology of Sundarbans through informative as well as vivid pictorial presentation.

Contributed papers presented at two ecocriticism conferences organized by Indian Association for Studies in Contemporary Literature in English ... [et al.].

Sundarban Mangrove Wetland: A Comprehensive Global Treatise provides an illustrative account of the ecology, biology, conservation and management strategies of this endangered UNESCO World Heritage Site. The book offers a comprehensive and accessible guide to a variety of wetland ecosystems, including endangered flora and fauna, the ecology and diversity of pelagic and benthic biota, the impact of multiple stresses on the biota, inorganic and organic pollutants in biotic and abiotic matrices and their remedial measures, the impact of climate change on mangrove plants, and their conservation and management strategies. Divided into seven chapters, the book presents a realistic summary of the wetland environment and its resources, citing individual case studies considering a host of topics of particular interest. Analysis of this unique wetland provides crucial comparisons with other wetlands and their status, environmental challenges and possible remedial measures. Sundarban Mangrove Wetland is an in-depth and up-to-date account ideal for the student, teacher or researcher in marine biology & ecology, environmental science, marine geochemistry, marine pollution and ecotoxicology and wastewater treatment. Covering both fundamental and advanced aspects, the book is also useful for policy makers and those involved in coastal resource conservation and management. Presents an in-depth and illustrative accounting of an iconic tropical mangrove wetland in an intelligible and easy-to-understand manner Provides a unique look at the ecology, biodiversity and conservation and management of the Sundarban wetlands, along with the emerging ecological issues that may affect long-term sustainability Focuses on several case studies, considering microzooplankton and trace metals in the Sundarban wetlands

Did you know that European royalty once used cheetahs to hunt deer, or that caracals can capture birds by leaping six and a half feet straight up into the air from a standing start? Have you ever wondered whether domestic cats really do land on their feet when they fall, or how Canada lynx can stalk their prey in the winter without falling through the deep snow? Wild Cats of the World is a treasure trove of answers to questions like these, and many others, for anyone who's interested in learning more about the world's felids, including the ones with whom we share our homes. Mel and Fiona Sunquist have spent more than a decade gathering information about cats from every available source, many of them quite difficult to find, including scientific papers, descriptions of hunts, archeological findings, observations by naturalists and travelers, reports from government agencies, and newsletters from a wide variety of organizations. Weaving information from these sources together with their own experiences observing wild cats around the world, the Sunquists have created the most comprehensive reference on felids available. Each of their accounts of the 36 species of cat contains a description of the cat, including human interactions with it, as well as detailed data on its distribution, ecology and behavior, status in the wild, and efforts to conserve it. Numerous photographs, including more than 40 in full color, illustrate these accounts. Ranging from the two-pound black-footed cat to the five-hundred-pound tiger, and from the African serval with its satellite-dish ears to the web-footed fishing cat of Asia, Wild Cats of the World will fascinate and educate felid fans of any stripe (or spot).

The Wealth Of Information That This Accomplished Study On The Sundarbans Reveals Makes This Book Immensely Valuable.