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INTRODUCTION
The name Sunderbans
is perhaps derived from the term meaning 'the forest of sundari'
(Heritiera fomes), a reference to the large mangrove tree t hat
provides valuable fuel. Along the coast, the southern part of the
forest passes into a mangrove swamp, which has numerous wild animals
and crocodile-infested estuaries. It is one of the last preserves of
the Royal Bengal tiger and the site of a tiger conservation project.
Situated south of Calcutta, Sunderbans is
one of the most unique ecosystems in this part of the world and is
dominated by mangrove forests. Situated at the mouth of the Ganges,
Sunderbans spreads over 54 islands and two countries (the West
Bengal state in India and Bangladesh) and is a part of the world's
largest delta region.
A UNESCO world heritage site, Sunderbans
is home to the largest number of wild tigers in the world.
CLIMATE
The region has a tropical climate with hot
summers and cold winters. Maximum and minimum temperatures during
the summer are 42°C and 37°C respectively. In winters, the maximum
and minimum temperatures are 29°C and 9.2°C respectively.
ATTRACTIONS
Tigers
Sunderbans is the largest estuarine delta in the
world and the biggest colony of the Royal Bengal Tigers.
These evergreen mangrove forests pulsate with myriad forms of life,
which hide during hide tide and the ebbing tide reveals them on the
glistening mud flats. The land is split by numerous rivers and water
channels all emptying into the Bay of Bengal. It is believed
that Bonbibi, the goddess of the forest, protects the
woodcutters, honey-collectors and fishermen on their hazardous
missions through the forest. For, as the local saying goes, `here
the tiger is always watching you'.
Project Tiger was implemented here in 1973 and
later the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve was demarcated over an area of
2,585-sq km. The core area of 1,330 sq km has been declared a
national park and a world heritage site. The reserve has a tiger
population of 287(1984 census). The only mangrove species, the tiger
here has adapted well to its habitat.
Reptiles
The Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project is a
crocodile-breeding farm. Tours are organized by the West Bengal
Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDC). This place is accessible
through Namkhana. Both the West Bengal Tourism Department and the
WBTDC organize conducted tours to the Sunderbans by their motor
launches. Bhagabatpur is a hatchery of the largest estuarine
crocodile in the world.
The Sunderbans provide important habitat for a
variety of reptiles including river terrapin (Batagur baska E),
Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea E), estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus
porosus E), monitor lizard (Varanus flavescens), water monitor (Varanus
salvator) and Indian python (Python molurus V).
The only species of turtle known to nest in the
Sunderbans is the Olive Ridley but hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata)
has also been caught in fishermen's nets. The creeks are spawning
grounds for some 90 species of fish, 48 species of crabs and a large
variety of molluscs.
Birds
Sajnekhali has a bird sanctuary and is the
only place to have a hotel in this area. There is a Mangrove
Interpretation Centre here. There are watchtowers at Sajnekhali,
Sudhanyakhali, Netidhopan, Haldi and a number of other places.
The Sajnekhali area contains a wealth of water
birds, noteworthy residents including Asian openbill stork (Anastomus
oscitans), black-necked stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus), greater
adjutant stork (Leptoptilos dubius), white ibis (Threskiornis
melanocephalus), swamp francolin (Francolinus gularis),
white-collared kingfisher (Halcyon chloris), black-capped kingfisher
(Halcyon pileata) and brown-winged kingfisher (Pelargopsis
amauroptera).
This area is also important for waders, including
the Asian dowitcher (Limnodromus semipalmatus R), a rare winter
migrant. Interesting marsh birds found in the reclaimed areas
include egrets (Egretta alba, Egretta garzetta and Egretta
intermedia), purple heron (Ardea purpurea), which is a rare vagrant
from Africa, and green-backed heron (Butorides striatus).
Birds of prey include osprey (Pandion haliaetus),
Pallas's fish eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus), white-bellied sea
eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), grey-headed fishing eagle (Ichthyophaga
ichthyaetus), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), Oriential hobby (Falco
severus), northern eagle owl (Bubo bubo) and brown fish owl (Ketupa
zeylonensis).
Other interesting places in the area include
Netidhopan, which has the ruins of a 400-year-old temple,
Holiday Island, which is a retreat of the barking deer and
Kanak, which is the nesting place of Olive Ridley Turtles.
Piyali is 72 km from Calcutta and is a gateway to the Sunderbans.
It is being developed as a tourist complex.
REACHING THERE
By
Air
Dum Dum (166kms), is the nearest airport at
Calcutta.
By
Rail
The nearest railhead is at Canning, 48 km
away. The nearest town is Gosaba, 50 km away.
Sunderbans is accessible only by riverine
waterways. From Calcutta there are suburban trains to Canning and
buses to Namkhana, Raidighi, Sonakhali and Najat from where motor
launch services are available for Sunderbans.
By
Road
Means of road transport are available from
Calcutta for the places like Namkhana (105 km), Sonakhali (100 km),
Raidighi (76 km), Canning (64 km), and Najat (92 km), which are all
near the Sunderbans and have access to the riverine waterways
leading to it.
Waterways
The approximate time taken between various points
is -
From Namkhana - Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project
(2.5 hours) Sagar Island (2.5 hours) Jambudwip (3.5 hours)
From Sajnekhali - Sudhanyakhali (40 minutes)
Buridabri (Tiger Project Area) (5 hours) Netidhopan (3.5 hours)
Holiday Island (3 hours)
From Sonakhali - Gosaba (1 hour)
From Raidighi - Kalas (5 hours)
STAYING THERE
Forest lodges and forest rest houses are
available for accommodation at Sajnekhali. |
