Mangrove forests abound in the equatorial region as they flourish in tropical climate. Mangrove forests have an intricate system of prop roots that make the trees look as if they were standing on stilts above the water level to prevent erosion of the coastline due to storms
and tidal waves. The lower part of the Ganga delta in West Bengal is a vast swampy forest
area called the Sunderbans. It has the largest mangrove forest in the world. Sunderban means
beautiful forest. The forest also gets its name from the evergreen Sundari trees common to that area. The
vegetation is dense as the climate is humid throughout most of the year, making it an ideal
home for deer, wild pig and the Bengal tiger. Streams in the south of the delta are home to
crocodiles, snake and fish. During the summer months, these marshy areas are visited by
swarms of rock bees that migrate from forests at the foot of the Himalayas, attracted by the
fragrant flowers in the Sunderbans. Monkeys in the area smear themselves with mud and
disturb the bees before carrying away hives laden with honey.