Pirate gangs resurge in Bangladesh's Sundarbans mangrove forest amid poverty

Pirate gangs have returned to Bangladesh's Sundarbans mangrove forest after being thought largely subdued following mass surrenders a decade ago, according to France 24. The resurgence, driven by poverty and debt, has made the forest's network of rivers dangerous for residents and workers who now fear the gangs more than the region's tiger population. The Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and critical mangrove ecosystem, serves as a livelihood for thousands of fishermen and honey collectors whose safety is now threatened. The gangs' return reflects broader challenges of economic desperation in one of Bangladesh's most vulnerable regions.