Sunderbans National Park

Sunderbans National Park – Sunderbans Tiger Reserve

Overview

Sundarbans National Park is a tiger as well as biosphere reserve situated in the Sundarbans delta in the state of West Bengal, India. The park derived its name from the Sundari trees that are found in abundance in the area. The present-day Sundarban National Park was once declared as the core region of Sundarban Tiger reserve in 1973 and was later affirmed as a national park in 1984. Today, the park is UNESCO World heritage site and it is considered as one of the largest reserves for the mighty Royal Bengal tiger. The park takes pride in its status of being the largest estuarine mangrove forest in the world. Sundarbans is a hub for wildlife tourism in India as it attracts heaps of tiger lovers from all over the world to witness its majestic aura.

Information

The park is located at the mouth of Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers amid India and Bangladesh and covers an extensive area of roughly 10,000 sq kms, around three fifths of which is in Bangladesh. The unique ecosystem of Sundarbans is home to an exquisite variety of flora and fauna. Apart from being considered as a kingdom of the magnificent Royal Bengal tigers, the park has a lot of other wildlife species such as Fishing Cats, Leopard Cats, Macaques, Wild Boar, Indian Grey Mongoose, Jungle Cat, salt-water crocodile etc. Some of the bird species that are commonly found in the area include openbill storks, black-capped kingfishers, black-headed ibis, pheasant-tailed jacanas etc. The only method of navigating the park is through the means of boats that provide a raw and thrilling experience to visitors who come to revel in the wonders of nature.

• Size –  4,262 sq kms (India)
• Forest type – Moist tropical seral forest with dominant Sundari tree prevalence

Key Species

The smartest way to experience nature and wildlife in all its novelty is by staying in the resorts in Sundarban National park that are located in close proximity to the park. These resorts give you the sense of living in the wild while enjoying the best facilities and luxurious comforts at the same time.

• Key Mammal – Royal Bengal tiger, Fishing Cats, Leopard Cats, Macaques, Wild Boar, Indian Grey Mongoose, Jungle Cat
• Key Birds – Openbill storks, black-capped kingfishers, black-headed ibis, pheasant-tailed jacanas, pariah kites, brahminy kite, marsh harriers, swamp partridges, red junglefowl

How to Reach

• By train – The nearest major railway station to the park is Sealdah station that is 97 kms away and is connected to other major cities in the country. One can then reach the nearest local railway station by taking a local train from Sealdah, i.e. Canning railway station that is 57 kms far from the park.
• By Air – Sundarban National Park is located at a distance of 140 kms from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International airport, which is located in Kolkata, that has air connectivity across the world.
• By road – The park can be easily accessed from Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal as it is approximately 100kms away. One can hire a cab or taxi to reach the park.

Safari

Sunderbans safari takes place from sunrise to sunset. It is an experience second to none. The months of September and March are considered to be the best time to visit. Malta and Bidyadhari, are two free-flowing rivers that give tourists an opportunity to boat through the dense forests of Sunderbans.

Boat Safari Timing: The boat service is available from early morning at 8:30 AM to the approaching dawn time of 16:00 PM.

Note: No boat is allowed inside Sunderban after 6.30 PM.

Weather

Things to Carry

Clothing tips for the right safari experience:

• Clothes in the earthy colours to be worn which are greens, beige and grey. Black attracts mosquitoes and should be avoided. Shiny or bright colours are a big no.
• Clothes as per expected weather are very important:
  • Summer clothes to be carried should be preferably cotton or cotton blend that is comfortable, and breathable.
  • Winter clothes to be packed should be planned for layering over each other when worn. Advisably 4-5 woollen clothes than one heavy item.
• A raincoat or a windcheater is also recommended.
• A hat or a cap as per the weather or season is also prescribed.
• Avoid wearing strong fragrances on the safari.

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