The Sundarbans, known for its breathtaking mangrove forests and rich biodiversity, also face grave environmental and legal challenges. Dr. Changappa highlighted key issues, including human-wildlife conflicts—particularly with the Royal Bengal Tiger, poaching threats, and transboundary environmental crimes. He stressed that while laws like the Wildlife Protection Act and Forest Conservation Act are stringent and non-bailable, NCRB data reflects alarmingly low conviction rates, exposing gaps in enforcement. Sundarban despite being a UNESCO Ramsar Site and home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, deforestation, unsustainable aquaculture, and tourism are causing environmental degradation, the speaker with worry has stated that even a one-inch rise in sea level could submerge the region of Sundarban. A critical takeaway was the need for a comprehensive legal framework to address inconsistencies across regulatory authorities. He also emphasized Joint Forest Management, where tribal communities and forest officials share responsibility for conservation. Beyond the right to environment, he advocated for the right of the environment—a crucial shift in perspective for sustainable governance.
