New Delhi

On the occasion of Republic Day, the Border Security Force (BSF) unfurled the Indian national flag on over a dozen islands within the Sunderbans mangrove forest in West Bengal, a senior officer said on Tuesday.

The BSF, responsible for securing the India-Bangladesh border in the region, conducted the flag-hoisting at both inhabited and uninhabited islands including Chandkhali, Chamta, Gona, Baghmara, Peer Khali, Arbesia, Hamilton, Haribhanga, Zilla, and Matla, among others, on Monday.

The ceremony extended across all floating border posts, patrol vessels, medium patrol crafts, and jetty posts, with participation from state forest officials and local residents, the spokesperson added.

The Sunderbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, comprises over 100 islands and is interlaced with rivers, tidal creeks, and channels, covering 9,630 sq km in India, with the remainder in Bangladesh.

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The BSF is responsible for guarding India’s eastern frontier, which spans 4,096 km, of which 2,216 km lies in West Bengal. The riverine stretch in the Sunderbans alone measures approximately 300 km.