ABOUT SUNDARBAN NATIONAL PARK:
The Sundarbans National Park is a tiger and biosphere reserve located in the Sundarbans delta in the state of West Bengal (India). The Sundarbans is named after the Sundari trees which are found in bulk in this area. The park was established as a national park on 4th May 1984 as earlier it was created as wildlife sanctuary in 1977, designated as the core area of Sundarbans Tiger Reserve. Its ecosystem is a unique natural wonder of south Asia and the globe. The delta is spread over India and Bangladesh with an area of approximately 10,000 square kilometers and is enjoying the status of being largest halophytic mangrove forest in the world. It is a delta of the two great Indian River the Ganga and The Brahmaputra which converges on the Bengal basin.
The whole area is kingdom of the famous Royal Bengal Tigers.
It was also declared as the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1987.
Flora
There are 64 plant species in Sundarban. Some of the common species of plants which are found include Sundari tree, Golpati, Champa, Dhundul, Genwa and Hatal. It is estimated that there are about 78 species of mangroves in these forests. They are extremely important because of the important role they play in the survival of marine organisms. From a distance, these halophytes exude an aura of mystery, who knows what the darkness within has to offer.
Fauna
Apart from the Royal Bengal Tiger, other animals found in these areas are fishing cats, macaques, leopard cats, Indian grey mongoose, wild boar, flying fox, pangolin, and Indian grey mongoose. The chital deer and rhesus monkey are common sightings.
Sundarban is also famous for its marine life, and is quite rich in it. A crocodile seated leisurely on a mudflat, basking in the afternoon sun, draws an array of reactions from onlookers. Other than the saltwater crocodile, other kinds of aqua life include red fiddler crabs and hermit crabs. While many people may not be aware of it, but Sundarban National Park is home to a large number of reptiles. Some of the more famous ones are water monitor, king cobra and rock python. A species of river turtles called Batagur Baska (which are classified as endangered by the IUCN) are found on the Mechau Beach. They are identified by their small head, a snout which always goes upwards and an olive brown colored carapace. The barking deer also deserves a special mention, as it is found at a place called Holiday Island. Sundarban is very famous for weekend tour from Kolkata.
Popular Tourist Spots in Sundarbans-
Sajnekhali Watch Tower
This tower is great for spotting wildlife and for bird lovers.
Kalash Island
If you are planning to visit Sundarbans in winter you will see a large number of Olive Ridley Turtles and also coastal birds like The Great Stone Curlew.
Henry Island
It has fishery department where you will find more than 50 small ponds by crossing a small bamboo bridge.
Netidhopani
It has a 400 year old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Burirdabri
It has a watch tower, a mud walk and mangrove cage trail which leads to the viewpoint called Raimongal view point.
Safari Timings
Sunderbans National Park offers only boat safari to the visitors. Jeep safaris are not conducted here. The safari timing is from 8:30 AM in the morning till 4:00 PM in the evening. The entry of boats after 6:30 PM is prohibited. Although the park remains open throughout the year, however winter season is the best time to visit Sundarban.
Accommodation Options-
- Sundarban Tiger Safari Resort
- Sundarban Tiger Roar Resort
- Sundarban Jungle Camp
- Sundarban Tiger Camp
- Sundarban Riverside Holiday Resort
Things to Remember-
Sundarbans National Park is one of the top ecotourism destinations in India, and it is absolutely thrilling to visit it. Just like any other place, there are certain travel tips which will make your trip a smooth and pleasant one. Here are some of them.
- Do not drink tap water, as you may end up being severely ill or contracting various water-borne diseases. Always go for filtered water over coconut water.
- You should not carry any mineral water bottle while visiting the national park as Sunderbans is a “no plastic zone”.
- Always carry some light snacks along with fruits and dry fruits with you. They will come in handy when you want a small snack.
- It can be very hot in Sundarbans during the summers. Take adequate precautions if plan on visiting it during this time. Carry hats, sunglasses and sun tan lotion to protect yourself from the heat.
- You will hardly come across any ATM’s in this area, so it’s better to carry enough cash to get you around. The only ATM which you will find here is in the village of Gosaba in Sundarbans.
- Don’t let an illness take away all the fun out of your trip. Keep yourself equipped to deal with illness at any time by carrying medicines for cold, cough and upset stomachs.
- A torch can always carry in handy. Carry one, along with spare batteries.
- Carry spare batteries for your cameras too, in case you don’t find the means to recharge them during the course of your trip.
How to Reach-
By Train: If you are travelling by train and want to cover Sundarban Tour, get down at Sealdah Railway Station. Then, catch a local train to Canning (this should take you about 2 hours). After arriving at Canning, take a local shared van which will take you to Godhkhali Jetty. From here, you can take a boat ride to Sundarbans.
By Air: The nearest airport to Sundarbans National Park is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport at Kolkata. After landing at the airport, you can reach Canning by a local train or car. The distance between the two is 54 km and the drive should take you about 2 hours. After reaching Canning, catch a local shared van towards Godkhali Jetty. There, you will find boats waiting to take you to Sundarban National Park.
By Road: Begin your drive to Godkhali from Kolkata, a drive which should take you about 3 hours 30 minutes. After arriving there, take a ferry towards Gosaba. Once you reach, hire a cycle rickshaw to take you to Pakhiralay Village, situated on the other side of the island. From here, take another boat to Sajnekhali. You also have the option of hiring a boat and going straight to Godhkhali (this ride should take you about 2 hours).
