This document discusses the cultural services provided by ecosystems in the Sundarbans region of India and Bangladesh. It outlines several cultural activities that take place in the Sundarbans, including eco-tourism focused on the diverse wildlife, the annual Dubla Rash Mela festival attracting 40-50 thousand people, the Sundarbans Mangrove Festival aimed at environmental education, religious festivals celebrated by the local Munda community, and Banbibi Utsav honoring the forest goddess Banbibi. It also mentions some local rumors and superstitions among the people regarding ghostly presences in the forest and avoiding entering on Fridays.

1. Cultural service:
Non-material benefits people obtain from ecosystems through spiritual enrichment, cognitive
development, reflection, recreation and aesthetic experiences. There are different forms of cultural
services such as;
1. Cultural
 Use of nature as motif in books, film, painting, folklore, national symbols, architect,
advertising, etc.
2. Spiritual and historical
 Including use of nature for religious or heritage value or natural.
3. Recreational experiences
 Including ecotourism, outdoor sports, and recreation.
4. Science and education
 Including use of natural systems for school excursions, and scientific discovery
5. Therapeutic
 Including eco-therapy, social forestry and animal assisted therapy.
Cultural services ofSundarbans:
1. Eco-tourism is defined as `Environmentally responsible travel to undisturbed natural areas to
enjoy and appreciate nature that promotes conservation and provides benefit to the local
community through active socio economic involvement'.
The Sundarban is a very unique habitual and ecosystem that has been recognized globally for its
importance in terms of biodiversity and resources. The Sundarbans supports as wide range of
important flora and fauna, both in quantity and diversity, some of which are endangered, both
domestically and worldwide. Presence of the Royal Bengal Tiger, estuarine crocodile, a variety of
dolphins, reptiles and a certain number of birds and highly endangered species has created lot of
importance to eco-tourism in Sundarban.
2. Dubla Rash Mela: Dubla Rash Mela is not only a big fair for Bagerhat, it is undoubtedly one of
the biggest fairs in the country. Dubla-island stands on the Bay of Bengal and is a part of the
Sundarban Forest. The fair on the Dubla-island was started in 1923 by Hari Bhajan, a disciple of
Thakur Hari Chand, The life of Hari Bhajan was very extraordinary. During his stay in
Sundarbans for twenty four years, he lived on the fruits of the forest. He had many disciples in
nearby villages. One of his notable works was to start the Dubla Rash Mela during the Rash
Purnima. To celebrate the occasion and keep alive the memory of Thakur Hari Chand, the
devotees, especially the fishermen of the Sundarbans, organise this five-day fair.
This has become a grand occasion for many foreign tourists visiting the Sundarbans and people
come from India as well. Around 40-50 thousand people join the celebrations every year.
Handicrafts and precious wooden items are put on sale.

2. 3. The Sundarbans Mangrove Festival was held at Bali Island, West Bengal, on 23 January. The aim
of the festival - jointly organized by the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, West Bengal Police and the
Wildlife Protection Society of India - was to create awareness and educate the public about the
importance of mangrove forests and their sustainability.
4. The Mundas, an ethnic community of the Sundarbans mangrove ecological zone is mere known
to people of Bangladesh as well as to the social scientist. The Munda community has been a part
of the Sundarbans for generations now. They are a community that lives on their own wonderful
traditions and customs and it is up to us to join the fight and help revive their culture and
safeguard it from extinction. Their religious cultural activities are:
 The community members celebrate the news at the 9th day of born and recognize the new
baby and also the mother. Rituals regarding newborn baby is known as Shoshi puja.
 The ancestral worship is called Sharul puja by the community members, held in the
month of chatro at any Shoni (Saturday) Mongol (Tuesday).
 Gohil Puja is colourful festival of the Munda community. It is held every year at the
month of kartik at new moon night. The puja is conducted for safety and production of
cattle. Mundas believed that through this ceremony they will get healthy cuff, enough
milk and meat.
 The community also celebrates seven generation through a festival named pahari puja.
They belief that they are lucky, gets the ceremony in their life period. It is held in the out
of the community residence in the month of Chatra.
5. Banbibi (Bon Bibi) is being considered as the guardian deity of the entire forest areas of
Sundarbans. She is also popular by the names of Goddess Ban Devi or Ban Durga. Banbibi plays
a significant role in the daily life of the lacal people of Sundarbans, as it is believed that she is
protecting the native peoples from all kind of dangers in the jungle especially from the Royal
Bengal Tigers. Banbibi Utsav is being organized in different villages of Sundarban area, to pay
the devotion towards the divinity of the forest. Irrespective of religion & cast, all the local people
get involved themselves in the celebration and enjoy the festival.
6. Romours:
 Spirit ofa woman: The local people said that there is a lady ghost in this forest. They
believed it strongly. But none can see it. A photography works behind this paranormal
story.
 Local people think that Friday is not lucky for them. As the result of this, they didn’t
enter into the forest in Friday normally. Many reasons stand behind the rumour.