The correct option is (c) 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
The Sunderbans is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world, situated in the delta formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers in the Bay of Bengal.- Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Sunderbans is primarily a mangrove forest (littoral and swamp forest), characterized by salt-tolerant vegetation known as halophytes (e.g., Sundari trees). Coniferous forests are evergreen forests found in high-altitude regions (such as the Himalayas) or high-latitude temperate zones, characterized by needle-like leaves and cones. They are not found in tropical deltaic regions.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The Sunderbans is a designated Biosphere Reserve. It was constituted as a Biosphere Reserve by the Government of India in 1989 and was included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2001. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The Sunderbans is the specific natural habitat of the Royal Bengal Tiger. It is ecologically significant as the only mangrove forest in the world that supports a tiger population.
Key Takeaway: The Sunderbans is a mangrove ecosystem (not coniferous) recognized as a Global Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site, serving as the prime habitat for the Royal Bengal Tiger.