Proposal to expand Sundarbans Tiger Reserve by 1,100 sq km reaches Union environment ministry
Once approved, the reserve will cover 3,629.57 sq km, making it the second largest in India
Technical clearance already granted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
Expansion to include three forest ranges in South 24-Parganas
Forest officials welcome move; small fishers fear loss of livelihood
Sundarbans Tiger Reserve inches closer to becoming India’s second-largest tiger sanctuary, as a long-pending proposal to expand its area by about 1,100 sq km has finally reached the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
With the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) already granting technical approval, the final hurdle is clearance by the Standing Committee of the National Wildlife Board (NWLB). A senior state forest official confirmed to this correspondent that the revised proposal was submitted to the Centre a few days ago, paving the way for its inclusion in an upcoming NWLB meeting agenda.
Currently spread across 2,585.89 square kilometres, the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve (STR) will expand to 3,629.57 sq km once the Raidighi, Matla and Ramganga forest ranges in South 24-Parganas are formally incorporated. This expansion would position Sundarbans just behind Andhra Pradesh’s Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (3,727.82 sq km) in size and elevate it from the seventh to the second largest tiger reserve in India.
Speaking on Global Tiger Day at the National Zoological Park in Delhi on July 29, 2025, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav emphasised the government’s commitment to expanding and strengthening tiger habitats. “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the number of tiger reserves in the country has increased from 46 in 2014 to 58 till date,” said the minister, announcing a programme for planting 100,000 saplings across all the tiger reserves.
“The expansion of the Sundarbans has already received technical approval from the NTCA,” GS Bhardwaj, former member secretary of the NTCA, had earlier told this correspondent. The NTCA, which reports to the MoEF&CC, is chaired by Yadav, takes technical decisions related to tiger conservation. Incidentally, the Standing Committee of the NWLB is also headed by Yadav.
The idea of including parts of the South 24-Parganas forest division within the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve was first floated nearly 20 years ago. “We had approached the Centre in 2005-06 to integrate the adjoining forest areas with STR, as it would help manage tigers more efficiently under a unified structure,” said Pradip Vyas, a retired senior forester who spent years working in the region.
Despite early efforts, the plan stalled. It was revived more formally in 2022-23, when a committee led by Nilanjan Mullick, director of the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve, recommended the amalgamation. “We felt that including the buffer zones of South 24-Parganas in the STR would be ecologically and administratively sound,” said Mullick.
“The forest department sent the final proposal to the state government about a month ago and it was forwarded to the Centre only a few days back,” said another senior official. “We expect it to be taken up by the NWLB in one of its next meetings — possibly within the next three months.” The board’s last meeting was held in June.
The forest and wildlife community has broadly welcomed the move. The expansion will enhance tiger management in the Sundarbans and attract increased central funding for the mangrove forest.
Soumitra Dasgupta, retired head of the forest force in West Bengal, called it a long-overdue decision. “I’ve been advocating for this for over a decade. Since this is an expansion, not a diversion, and the NTCA has already cleared it, the NWLB is likely to approve it once the paperwork is in order,” he said.
According to the latest tiger census, the Sundarbans has an estimated 101 tigers — 80 inside the current STR and 21 in the adjoining South 24-Parganas forests.
“We expect the tiger population to rise further with improved management,” said Biswajit Roy Chowdhury, a tiger expert and member of the State Wildlife Board. “Bringing these areas under one reserve will lead to better patrolling, central funding, and recruitment of long-vacant posts.” Fellow board member Joydeep Kundu also welcomed the proposal.
While forest officials and conservationists are optimistic, small-scale fishers in the region have raised red flags, warning that the expansion could threaten their livelihoods.
“Fishers already face restrictions in the current reserve. If the three South 24-Parganas ranges are added, it will affect thousands of families dependent on fishing,” said Milan Das, a leader of the Dakshinbanga Matsyajibi Forum (DMF), a platform representing small fishers. He alleged that no consultations were held with local communities before the decision.
We’ve sent protest letters to officials at both state and central levels and submitted deputations opposing the move, said Das.
Forest department officials, however, dismissed the concerns. “Fishing activities will be allowed to continue in the same manner as they do now,” said a senior official, assuring that the expansion will not alter existing community-use patterns.