TITLE:
Protecting the Sundarbans: Climate Change, Thermal Power, and International Legal Obligations
AUTHORS:
Md. Mohaiminul Islam, Md. Monjur Hasan, Shijun Zhang, Md. Abu Hanif
KEYWORDS:
Sundarbans, Mangrove Forest, Environmental Impacts, Rampal, Thermal Power, Biological Diversity
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Environmental Protection,
Vol.17 No.10,
October
14,
2026
ABSTRACT: The Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest and a UNESCO World Heritage and Ramsar site, is increasingly threatened by climate change and nearby industrial activities. Rising sea levels, stronger cyclones, and rapid erosion are degrading its biodiversity and weakening the livelihoods of millions who depend on its ecosystem services. These climate pressures are intensified by coal-based thermal power projects such as the Rampal plant, which pose risks of air and water pollution, dredging impacts, and increased salinity—raising concerns from UNESCO, IUCN, and environmental experts. This paper examines Bangladesh’s obligations under key international environmental instruments, including the UNFCCC, the Paris Agreement, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Ramsar Convention, and the World Heritage Convention. It assesses whether industrial activities near the Sundarbans align with these commitments and explores relevant customary principles such as the no-harm rule, precaution, and the duty to conduct impact assessments. The study finds significant gaps between international obligations and national actions, arguing that stronger compliance with global environmental norms is essential to safeguard the long-term ecological integrity of the Sundarbans.