SUNDERBANS NATIONAL PARK

The Sunderbans is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world. The name Sunderban can be literally translated as "beautiful jungle" or "beautiful forest" in the Bengali language. The forest lies in the vast delta on the Bay of Bengal formed by the super confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers across Saiyan southern Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. The forest covers 10,000 sq.km. of which about 6,000 are in Bangladesh. The present Sunderbans National Park was declared as the core area of Sunderbans Tiger Reserve in 1973 and a wildlife sanctuary in 1977. On May 4, 1984 it was declared a National Park. It became inscribed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1997. The interconnected network of waterways makes almost every corner of the forest accessible by boat. The area is known for the eponymous Royal Bengal Tiger, as well as numerous fauna including species of Birds, Spotted Deer, Estuarine Crocodiles and Snakes. A unique ecosystem forms a delicate balance with the huge human population there, who are completely dependent on this mangrove forest for their livelihood. Sunderbans have also been enlisted amongst the finalist in the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

Flora :

The Sundarbans flora is characterized by the abundance of Heritiera fomes, Excoecaria agallocha, Ceriops decandra and Sonneratia apetala. A total 245 genera and 334 plant species were recorded by an independent individual in 1903. Since then several more floras have been discovered while some of the experts still think that more are required to explore. The mangroves of Bangladesh are dominated by the Sterculiaceae and Euphorbiaceae specis. Sundari and Gewa occur prominently throughout the area with discontinuous distribution of Dhundul (Xylocarpus granatum) and Kankra. Among grasses and Palms, Poresia coaractata, Myriostachya Wightiana, Imperata cylindrica, Phragmites Karka, Nypa fruticans, brackish and freshwater marshes, intertidal mudflats, sand flats, sand dunes and plenty more are well distributed.

 Fauna :

The Sundarbans provide a unique ecosystem and a rich wildlife habitat. Sundarban is considered the single largest home of the Royal Bengal Tiger. There is much more wildlife here than just the endangered Royal Bengal Tiger. Sundarbans support diverse biological resources including at least 120 species of commercially important fishes, 270 species of birds, 42 species of mammals, 35 reptiles and eight amphibian species. Sundarban is also an abode of a large number of rare and globally endangered animals along with Estuarine Crocodile ( Crocodilus porosus ), Fishing Cat ( Felis viverrina ), Common otter ( Lutra lutra ), Water Monitor lizard ( Varanus salvator ), Gangetic Dolphin ( Platinista gangetica ), Snubfin dolphin ( Orcella brevirostris ), River Terrapin (Batagur baska ), marine turtles like Olive Ridley ( Lepidochelys olivacea ), Green Sea Turtle ( Chelonia mydas ), Hawksbill Turtle ( Eritmochelys imbricata ). Six different species of Shark and Ray.

Other mammals include Wild boars, Spotted deer, Porcupines and Rhesus macaque. Among the reptiles, the King cobra, the common cobra, Banded krait, Russells Viper comprise the community of venomous reptiles, while the Python, Chequered Kil-Back, Dhaman , Green Whip Snake and several other species constitute the non-venomous snakes.

There are about 248 bird species found in Sunderban national park including a large number of migratory birds from higher latitudes that visits the park in winter months Herons, Egrets, Cormorants, Storks, Green Pigeons, Sand Pipers, Large and Small Spoonbills, Darters, Seagulls, Teal, Partridges, great variety of Wild Geese and Ducks. This National Park has the endemic Brown-winged Kingfishers (Pelargopsis amauroptera) and the globally threatened Lesser Adjutants (Leptoptilos javanicus) and Masked Finfoots (Heliopais personata) and birds of prey such as the ospreys (Pandion haliaetus), White-bellied Sea Eagles (Haliaeetus leucogaster) and Grey-headed Fish-eagles (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus).

Some of the more popular birds found in this region are Open Billed Storks, White Ibis, Water hens, Coots, Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, Pariah Jites, Brahminy Kites, Marsh Harriers, Swamp Partridges, Red Jungle Fowls, Spotted Doves, Common Mynahs, Jungle Crow, Jungle Babblers, Cotton Teals, Herrings Gulls, Caspin Terns, Gray Heron, Brahminy Dicks, Spot-billed Pelicans, Great Egrets, Night Herons, Common Snipes, Wood Sandpipers, Green Pigeon, Rose Ringed Parakeets, Paradise Flycatcher, Cormorants, Fishing Eagles, White-bellied Sea Eagles, Seagulls, Common Kingfisher, Brown-Winged Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Green Bee Eater,Peregrine falcons, Woodpeckers, Whimprels, Black-tailed Godwits, Little Stints, Eastern Knots, Curlews, Golden Plovers, Pintails, White Eyed Pochards and Whistling Teals.

Apart from viewing the wildlife from the boat safaris, you can also visit the following places in Sundarbans which are Sajankhali Bird Sanctuary, Sudhanyakali Watchtower, Dobanki Watch Tower, Netidhopani Watchtower, Bhagatpur Crocodile Project which is a crocodile breeding farm (access from Namkhana), Sagar Island,  Burirdabri Tiger Project. 

How to reach :

Airport : Nearest Airport is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport( Kolkata)166kms away from Sunderbans National Park.
Rail : The nearest railhead is at Canning 48 kms away from Sunderbans National Park.
Road : Sundarbans is accessed from Kolkata ( Calcutta) by traveling either towards the South East or the South West. The South Eastern route is more popular. You drive 110 kms  from Kolkata through wetlands and agricultural land to reach Gadkhali. From there Boat is the only medium for transport. The interiors of Sunderbans Tiger Reserve are accessible only through waterways.

Accommodation : In Sunderbans, Eco Jungle Camp is the best option to stay. In the camp all cottages  are ethnic in style that respect local rural architecture and constructed with local materials. Spotless rooms with modern bath. Large dining. A fishing deck. Surrounded by lush green village gardens, trees, pond -over looking the sanctuary on the bank of river Gumdi. Powered by pollution-free solar energy with powerful generator back up ( Camera battery can be charged).

Food : We serve local dishes specially and tastefully cooked for you by our trained local chef. Much variety is not possible owing to the remoteness of the area; yet best possible food is provided under strict hygienic supervision. Vegetables come from the organic gardens of the village, fresh fish, prawn and crab from the rivers and ponds, chicken from the village farms and fresh honey from the

honey collectors' houses.

Attraction : Bird Watching, Wildlife Watching, Royal Bengal Tiger, National Park Visit, Boat Ride, Flora and Fauna Exploration, Wildlife watching from Watch Tower, Mangrove Interpretation Centre, Local Cultural Experience, Local Cultural Show- Bonbibi Yatra, Village Walk.

Activities : Bird Watching,  Wildlife Watching, National Park Visit, Boat Ride, Flora and Fauna Exploration, Wildlife watching from Watch Tower, Local Cultural Experience, Village Walk, Ethnic Food.