UN success stories no one talks about: restoring the Ganges Delta mangrove 

Permits for honey collection in the Sundarbans region are being issued this week. Sundarbans is a vast area of mangrove forest and wetlands located in the Ganges Delta, spanning India’s West Bengal and Bangladesh’s Khulna Division. At 10,000 square metres, it is the world's largest mangrove forest.

Bees make honey from the nectar of mangrove flowers. Each year the authorities issue permits to several thousand honey collectors during the months of April and May. For communities living on the edges of the mangrove forest, honey collection offers a critical income source, especially for the poorest households.

That honey collection continues to contribute to so many livelihoods is just one of the positive outcomes of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) efforts to restore the Sundarbans mangrove ecosystem.

By the early 2000s, deforestation, aquaculture, and rising sea levels had degraded vast swathes of Sundarbans. UNEP stepped in, partnering with local governments, NGOs and community groups, to restore damaged mangrove areas.

In Bangladesh, where UNEP supported community-based mangrove restoration projects, an estimated 50,000-60,000 hectares have been replanted or rehabilitated since 2010.

In India, UNEP has contributed to restoring around 10,000-20,000 hectares in Sundarbans.

This translates to a total of 60,000-80,000 hectares restored with UNEP’s involvement over 15 years. The outcome: a measurable reversal of deforestation trends, with satellite imagery showing denser green belts along vulnerable coastlines.

Restored mangroves have strengthened Sundarbans’ role as a natural shield against cyclones and storm surges. During Cyclone Amphan in 2020, areas with rehabilitated mangroves experienced reduced flooding and erosion compared to degraded zones.

They have also supported fish and crab populations, with local fishermen reporting catch increases of 20-30% in rehabilitated areas by 2023.

Mangroves are carbon sinks. Healthy Sundarbans mangroves absorb an estimated four tons of CO2 per hectare annually. With 60,000–80,000 hectares restored, that’s roughly 240,000–320,000 tons of CO2 sequestered each year.

Maksudur Rahman is head of the Bangladesh Environment and Development Society (BEDS), one of UNEP’s key local partners. He has been vocal about mangrove restoration’s broader impact. In a 2023 interview with Bangladesh’s Daily Star, he emphasized community-driven environmental work, saying, “Mangrove restoration isn’t just about planting trees - it’s about rebuilding lives, securing food and protecting our future against climate change.”