By how much area (in sq. km) was the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve expanded in August 2025, and what did this make its new total area?

The Sundarbans Tiger Reserve (STR) received an addition of 1,044.68 sq. km in August 2025, bringing its total area to 3,629.57 sq. km. This expansion followed approvals by the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) after clearances from the NTCA and the State Board of Wildlife, and included the Matla, Raidighi, and Ramganga ranges from South 24 Parganas. The precise figures are important because they determine STR’s rank among India’s reserves: with 3,629.57 sq. km, it becomes India’s second-largest tiger reserve, after Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam. These area numbers matter for conservation planning, funding allocation, habitat connectivity, and staffing requirements.