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The Sundarbans, recognized as the largest mangrove ecosystem on Earth and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, spans the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna Delta across India and Bangladesh. It is home to rich biodiversity and supports key ecological processes such as delta formation and tidal dynamics. However, the region faces growing threats from human activities and climate change, compromising ecosystem stability and functionality. To address these challenges, this study emphasizes the need for a comprehensive eco-hydrological restoration effort to revive degraded ecosystems and freshwater bodies while enhancing resilience to climate-related disasters. This study assesses the impacts of climate change and anthropogenic pressures on hydrological conditions, surface water dynamics, water quality, and mangrove ecosystems. Satellite imagery and derived indices reveal a significant decline in surface water availability between 1990 and 2024, especially in restoration-priority areas like Gosaba and Satjelia Islands. While mangrove expansion and embankment construction have helped stabilize shorelines, they have also disrupted hydrological connectivity and reduced freshwater retention. To understand the hydrological conditions in the region, SCS-CN method was used for Runoff estimation, using rainfall, soil type, and land use data. The Mann-Kendall test was applied to identify significant temporal trends, revealing that high clay content in soils leads to high runoff volumes across all four catchments, highlighting the need for effective water harvesting strategies. AHP modelling identified that 53% of the region falls within moderate groundwater recharge potential zones. Seasonal river salinity variations were observed, with pre-monsoon levels significantly higher due to reduced freshwater inflow. Weighted overlay technique was used to identify priority sites for mangrove restoration under various climate change scenarios. By integrating eco-hydrological assessment with GIS tools and restoration planning, the study offers region-specific, science-driven strategies to manage freshwater resources, mitigate salinity intrusion, and enhance ecological resilience in the Sundarbans.
Keywords: Restoration, Hydrology, SCS-CN, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), Ecological resilience.
