Editing West Bengal (section)

=== Flora and fauna ===
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The "India State of Forest Report 2017", recorded forest area in the state is {{convert|16847|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}},<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/bengal-green-cover-up-by-just-21-sq-km-aided-by-plantations/articleshow/62894709.cms |title=Bengal green cover up by just 21 sq km, aided by plantations |last=Mukherjee |first=Krishnendu |date=13 February 2018 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=7 May 2018 |archive-date=22 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822115039/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/bengal-green-cover-up-by-just-21-sq-km-aided-by-plantations/articleshow/62894709.cms |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://fsi.nic.in/isfr2017/west-bengal-isfr-2017.pdf |title=West Bengal |website=fsi.nic.in |access-date=22 August 2019 |archive-date=13 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713075340/http://fsi.nic.in/isfr2017/west-bengal-isfr-2017.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> while in 2013, forest area was {{convert|16805|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}, which was 18.93% of the state's geographical area, compared to the then national average of 21.23%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fsi.org.in/cover_2013/sfr_forest_cover.pdf |title=Forest cover |work=India state of forest report 2013 |publisher=Forest Survey of India, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India |access-date = 21 July 2014 |page=17 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140714212158/http://www.fsi.org.in/cover_2013/sfr_forest_cover.pdf |archive-date = 14 July 2014}}</ref> Reserves and protected and unclassed forests constitute 59.4%, 31.8% and 8.9%, respectively, of forested areas, as of 2009.<ref name="fsiwbforest">{{cite web |url=http://www.fsi.nic.in/sfr_2009/westbengal.pdf |title=Forest and tree resources in states and union territories: West Bengal |work=India state of forest report 2009 |publisher=Forest Survey of India, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India |access-date = 4 March 2012 |pages=163–166 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130501210225/http://www.fsi.nic.in/sfr_2009/westbengal.pdf |archive-date = 1 May 2013}}</ref> Part of the world's largest mangrove forest, the [[Sundarban]]s in southern West Bengal.<ref>{{cite news |first=Sadiq |last=Islam |title=World's largest mangrove forest under threat |url=http://archives.cnn.com/2001/fyi/student.bureau/06/29/sundarbans/index.html |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=29 June 2001 |access-date = 31 October 2006 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070822215926/http://archives.cnn.com/2001/fyi/student.bureau/06/29/sundarbans/index.html |archive-date = 22 August 2007}}</ref>

From a [[phytogeographic]] viewpoint, the southern part of West Bengal can be divided into two regions: the [[Gangetic plain]] and the [[littoral]] mangrove forests of the Sundarbans.<ref name=Mukherji>{{cite book |last=Mukherji |first=S.J. |year=2000 |title=College Botany Vol. III: (chapter on Phytogeography) |publisher=New Central Book Agency |location=Calcutta |pages=345–365}}</ref> The alluvial soil of the Gangetic plain, combined with favourable rainfall, makes this region especially fertile.<ref name=Mukherji /> Much of the vegetation of the western part of the state has similar species composition with the plants of the [[Chota Nagpur Plateau|Chota Nagpur plateau]] in the adjoining state of Jharkhand.<ref name=Mukherji /> The predominant commercial tree species is ''Shorea robusta'', commonly known as the [[sal tree]]. The coastal region of [[Purba Medinipur]] exhibits coastal vegetation; the predominant tree is the ''[[Casuarina]]''. A notable tree from the Sundarbans is the ubiquitous ''sundari'' (''Heritiera fomes''), from which the forest gets its name.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/452 |title=Sundarbans National Park |work=World heritage list |publisher=[[UNESCO World Heritage Centre]] |access-date = 4 March 2012 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120306224515/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/452 |archive-date = 6 March 2012}}</ref>

The distribution of vegetation in northern West Bengal is dictated by elevation and [[Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]]. For example, the foothills of the Himalayas, the ''[[Dooars]]'', are densely wooded with sal and other tropical evergreen trees.<ref name=India123>{{cite web |url=http://www.webindia123.com/westbengal/land/forest.htm#N |title=Natural vegetation |access-date = 31 October 2006 |work=West Bengal |publisher=Suni System (P) Ltd |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060523204956/http://www.webindia123.com/westbengal/land/forest.htm#N |archive-date = 23 May 2006}}</ref> Above an elevation of {{convert|1000|m|ft}}, the forest becomes predominantly subtropical. In Darjeeling, which is above {{convert|1500|m|ft}}, temperate forest trees like [[oak]]s, [[conifer]]s and [[rhododendron]]s predominate.<ref name=India123 />

3.26% of the geographical area of West Bengal is protected land, comprising fifteen wildlife sanctuaries and five national parks—[[Sundarbans National Park]], [[Buxa Tiger Reserve]], [[Gorumara National Park]], [[Neora Valley National Park]] and [[Singalila National Park]].<ref name="fsiwbforest" /> Extant wildlife includes [[Indian rhinoceros]], [[Indian elephant]], deer, [[leopard]], [[gaur]], tiger and [[crocodile]]s, as well as many bird species. Migratory birds come to the state during the winter.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiainbusiness.nic.in/indian-states/westbengal/General.htm |title=West Bengal: General Information |access-date = 25 August 2006 |work=India in Business |publisher=Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060819094729/http://www.indiainbusiness.nic.in/indian-states/westbengal/General.htm |archive-date = 19 August 2006}}</ref> The high-altitude forests of Singalila National Park shelter [[barking deer]], [[red panda]], [[chinkara]], [[takin]], [[serow]], [[pangolin]], [[minivet]] and [[kalij pheasant]]s. The Sundarbans are noted for a reserve project devoted to conserving the endangered [[Bengal tiger]], although the forest hosts many other endangered species such as the [[Gangetic dolphin]], river [[terrapin]] and estuarine crocodile.<ref name=hdrchap10>{{harvnb|West Bengal Human Development Report|2004|loc=Ch. 10: Problems of Specific Regions|pp=200–203}}</ref> The mangrove forest also acts as a natural fish nursery, supporting [[coastal fish]]es along the Bay of Bengal.<ref name=hdrchap10 /> Recognising its special conservation value, the Sundarbans area has been declared a [[World Network of Biosphere Reserves|Biosphere Reserve]].<ref name="fsiwbforest" />