This book presents a multidisciplinary chronicle of the Sundarbans. It explores its geological origins, social evolution, ecological transformations, and cultural heritage, and illuminates how nature and people have co- shaped the world’s largest mangrove delta.

Drawing on insights from geology, ecology, social history, and development studies, the book examines the intricacies of the Sundarbans and how natural forces and human activities have shaped this unique region over time. The mangrove forests and ecosystems are facing threats from climate change, rising sea levels, and biodiversity loss. The book showcases the innovative resilience strategies employed by local communities that combine traditional practices with modern approaches to achieve sustainable livelihoods. It provides crucial insights into environmental stewardship and the cultural and ecological significance of the Sundarbans, promoting a pathway toward sustainable coexistence.

This book is valuable for environmental scientists, geographers, historians, policymakers, urban planners, and students of sustainability and development studies. It will also be of interest to NGOs, conservationists, government agencies, and policy makers.

Ranadhir Mukhopadhyay has extensive research experience in both natural sciences and social sciences. He earned his PhD in Geology in 1988 with a focus on manganese nodules, and in 2019, he earned another PhD in Public Administration with a focus on climate change governance. Over four decades, he researched marine minerals, plate boundary geometry, seamount tectonics, continental margin architecture, public administration, and blue economy. Dr. Mukhopadhyay is an experienced teacher and supervisor at Goa University and AcSIR University. He has held leadership positions at the Mauritius Oceanography Institute and the National Institute of Oceanography in Goa. He has also provided consultation services to the NAM Intergovernmental S&T Centre. Dr. Mukhopadhyay has authored over 65 research papers and 5 scientific books on marine minerals, climate change governance, and the blue economy.

Somnath Bandyopadhyay is a “Development Ecologist” based in Vadodara, India. As a student of Prof. Amalesh Choudhury, he did his Masters in Marine Sciences from Calcutta University. He went on to do his MPhil and PhD in Environmental Sciences from Jawaharlal Nehru University, specialising in wetland ecology. In a career spanning over three decades, he has worked on pioneering environmental policies and programs of both the national and state governments in India and crafted innovative community- based rural development programs for international non- profit organisations. As a professional, he is also trained in Environmental Economics from Harvard University and in Market Approaches for the Poor from the Springfield Centre, UK. His final career was as an academic, a founding faculty of the School of Ecology and Environment Studies at Nalanda University, Rajgir, where he served till 2022. His academic expertise in ecology, combined with his rich experience in development, sets him apart as a unique thinker, author, and speaker.

Sourabh Kumar Dubey is an interdisciplinary researcher specialising in aquaculture, fisheries, and the environment with a decade of experience in applied research. He holds an M.Sc. in Zoology (University of Calcutta) and a PhD (Vidyasagar University, India). Dr. Dubey’s research interests span climate- resilient aquaculture, mangrove conservation, small- scale fisheries, nutrition- sensitive production systems, community-based management, and governance of aquatic food systems. His professional trajectory has been strongly shaped by long- term engagement in the Sundarbans with Prof. Amalesh Choudhury, where he has worked extensively at the interface of ecology, livelihoods, and development. Dr. Dubey is currently a scientist with WorldFish, a CGIAR research organisation. He has served across academia, government, and international organisations, including the West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, the Marine Products Export Development Authority (Government of India), the Water Resources Investigation & Development Department (Government of West Bengal), the International Water Association, and several international consultancy firms. Dr. Dubey has published widely in peer- reviewed journals and contributed to book chapters, technical reports, and policy documents at national and international levels. Beyond his academic work, he is an avid traveller and photographer, documenting the relationships between people, landscapes, and biodiversity.