Intergenerational Environmental Justice and the Sundarban: A Systematic Review of Ethical Responsibilities for Future Generations

This study examines the ethical dimensions of environmental degradation in Sundarban, with a particular focus on intergenerational responsibilities and environmental justice. Adopting a systematic qualitative meta-synthesis approach, the research integrates insights from over 65 peer-reviewed scholarly works and policy documents to analyze ethical governance frameworks relevant to Sundarban conservation. Drawing on environmental ethics, intergenerational justice, and philosophical debates such as the non-identity problem, the study synthesizes how moral responsibilities toward future generations are conceptualized within conservation discourse. The findings demonstrate that the ecological fragility of the Sundarban intensifies ethical obligations to preserve ecosystem integrity, mitigate climate risks, and safeguard the life prospects of future populations. The synthesis further highlights that environmental degradation disproportionately affects marginalized communities, underscoring the need to reframe conservation not merely as a technical or ecological challenge but as a moral and governance imperative. By articulating an integrated ethical framework, this study contributes to policy-relevant debates on sustainable environmental governance and offers normative guidance for protecting the Sundarban as a shared ecological and moral heritage for future generations.