Sundarbans delta is the largest mangrove forest in the world. It lies at the mouth of
the Ganges and is spread across areas of Bangladesh and West Bengal, India,
forming the seaward fringe of the delta. Interestingly, the Bangladeshi and Indian
portions of the jungle are listed in the UNESCO world heritage list separately as the
Sundarbans and Sundarbans National Park respectively, though they are simply
parts of the same forest. The Sundarbans is intersected by a complex network of
tidal waterways, mudflats and small islands of salt-tolerant mangrove forests, and
presents an excellent example of ongoing ecological processes. The area is known
for its wide range of fauna. The most famous among these are the Royal Bengal
Tigers, but numerous species of birds, spotted deer, crocodiles and snakes also
inhabit it. It is estimated that there are now 500 Bengal tigers and about 30,000
spotted deer in the area.
The Sundarbans are the largest littoral mangrove belt in the world, stretching 80 km
(50mi) into the Bangladeshi and Indian hinterland from the coast. The Sundarbans
has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The part of the forest within
Indian territory is called Sundarbans National Park. The forests aren't just mangrove
swamps though — they include some of the last remaining stands of the mighty
jungles which once covered the Gangetic plain. The Sundarbans cover an area of
38,500 sq km, of which about one-third is covered in water/marsh areas. Since 1966
the Sundarbans have been a wildlife sanctuary, and it is estimated that there are
now 400 Royal Bengal tigers and about 30,000 spotted deer in the area.
FLORA AND FUANA
There are 64 plant species in Sundarbans and they have the capacity to withstand
estuarine conditions and saline inundation on account of tidal effects. In the month
of April and May the flaming red leaves of the Genwa the crab-like red flowers of the
Kankara and the yellow flowers of Khalsi can be seen, which add a beauty to the
surroundings. Some of the more commonly found plants and trees in the park are
Genwa, Dhundal, Passur, Garjan, Kankra, Sundari and Goran.
The Sundarbans forest is home to more than 200 tigers. The Royal Bengal Tigers
have developed a unique characteristic of swimming in the saline waters, and are
world famous for their man-eating tendencies.
Apart from the Royal Bengal Tiger; Fishing Cats, Macaques, Wild Boar, Common
Grey Mongoose, Fox, Jungle Cat, Flying Fox, Pangolin, Chital, are also found in
abundance in the Sundarbans.
Some of the more popular birds found in this region are - Open Billed Storks, White
Ibis, Water Hens, Coots, Pheasant Tailed Jacanas, Pariah Kites, Brahminy Kites,
Marsh Harriers, Swamp Partridges, Red Jungle Fowls, Spotted Doves, Common
Mynahs, Jungle Crows, Jungle Babblers, Cotton Teals, Herring Gulls, Caspian
Terns, Gray Herons, Brahminy Ducks, Spotted Billed Pelicans, Large Egrets, Night
Herons, Common Snipes, Wood Sandpipers, Green Pigeons, Rose Ringed
Parakeets, Paradise Flycatchers, Cormorants, Fishing Eagles, White Bellied Sea
Eagles, Seagulls, Common Kingfishers, Peregrine falcons, Woodpeckers,
Whimprels, Black-Tailed Godwits, Little Stints, Eastern Knots, Curlews, Golden
Plovers, Pintails, White Eyed Pochards and Whistling Teals.
Some of the fish and amphibians found in the park are Sawfish, Butter Fish, Electric
Rays, Silver carp, Star Fish, Common Carp, King Crabs, Prawn, Shrimps, Gangetic
Dolphins, Skipping Frogs, Common Toads and Tree Frogs.
The Sundarbans National Park houses an excellent number of reptiles as well.
Some of the common ones are - Olive Ridley Turtles, Sea Snakes, Dog Faced Water
Snakes, Green Turtles, Estuarine Crocodiles, Chameleons, King Cobras, Salvator
Lizards, Hard Shelled Batgun Terrapins, Russels Vipers, Mouse Ghekos, Monitor
Lizards, Curviers, Hawks Bill Turtles, Pythons, Common Kraits, Chequered Killbacks
and rat Snakes.
The endangered species that lives within the Sundarbans are Royal Bengal Tiger,
Estuarian Crocodile, River Terrapin (Batagur baska), Olive Ridley Turtle, Gangetic
Dolphin, Ground Turtle, Hawks Bill Turtle and King Crabs (Horse shoe).
GENERAL TIPS
The ideal time to visit the park is November to February when the tigers can be seen
on the river banks having sunbath.
Entry Permits : The foreign tourists who wants to visit the tiger projects and visit the
Sajnekhali, have to obtain the special permits for entry into the Sundarbans National
Park. The tourists should contact the Secretary, West Bengal Forest Department,
Writer's Building, Kolkata - 700001. To obtain the entry permit for other areas of the
Sundarban; the tourists must visit the Field Director, Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, PO
Canning, District 24 Parganas, West Bengal. However a boat cruise through
Sunderbans outside the sanctuary requires no entry permit.
