Sundarbans National Park

Location: Piyali (72 km from Kolkata by road), West Bengal, India

Nearest city: Kolkata

Area: 1,330.12 km2 (328,680 acres)

Major Attractions: Royal Bengal Tiger, Ridley Sea Turtle.

Ideal Time to Visit the Park: During the months of September and May. Winter is the time to see the Royal Bengal Tiger sun-bathing on the river banks. 

  

The Sundarbans National Park is a National Park, Tiger Reserve, and a Biosphere Reserve in West Bengal, India. It is part of the Sundarbans on the Ganges Delta, and adjacent to the Sundarbans Reserve Forest in Bangladesh. The delta is densely covered by mangrove forests, and is one of the largest reserves for the Bengal tiger. It is also home to a variety of bird, reptile and invertebrate species, including the salt-water crocodile. The present Sundarbans National Park was declared as the core area of Sundarbans Tiger Reserve in 1973 and a wildlife sanctuary in 1977. On 4 May 1984 it was declared a National Park. 

Location

Tiger in Sundarbans National ParkThe Sundarbans National Park lies in the south-east of Kolkata in the 24-Paraganas District of West Bengal and forms part of the Gangetic Delta, which borders on the Bay of Bengal. The vast swampy delta of the two great Indian rivers, Brahamaputra and the Ganges stretches over areas consisting of mangrove forests, swamps and forest island all knotted in a network of small rivers and streams. The Sundarbans National Park in West Bengal is home of the Royal Bengal Tiger and is also the largest mangrove forest in the world, forming the core of this region. The Sundarban region has derived its name from the Sundari trees, once found in large number here.

Sunderban is characterized by the sundari trees that give the mangrove their name. These trees hold together the small islands of mud, on which they grow, with their roots. Nevertheless, with each incoming tide, the greyish brown silt looses itself to water seamlessly. Sunderban consists of a large flora population like genwa, dhundal, passur, garjan and kankra.  Apart from these trees, impenetrable goran trees between 1.8 metres and 3.6 metres high cover almost the entire region.  One of the most remarkable features of this place is the bayonet like roots of mangrove forests that stick out above the water level.

 

Nature apart, if you want to feel the essence of spirituality then this is the place to be.  A place famous for Ma Bonobibi (the goddess of the forest) to Shiber Kumir (Lord Shiva's Crocodile) or from Dakshinaroy (an ogre, the ancestor of all tigers) to Kapil Muni (an incarnation of Vishnu). 

Sundarban Forest 

Sunderban Biosphere Reserve was constituted by Government of India (GOI) in 1989 and it received the recognition of UNESCO under its Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme in November, 2001. Sunderban National Park, forming the core area of Sunderban Tiger Reserve, received recognition as World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.  It has been nominated by GOI for recognition as Ramsar Site (a wetland of international importance).  Sunderban Tiger Reserve was constituted by GOI under Project Tiger scheme, in 1973.  Sunderban is the only mangrove forest in the world which is the home of Tigers.  Sunderban Tiger Reserve has the highest tiger population in the world. 

Ecosystem

Sunderban has extremely rich diversity of aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna. Sunderban's highly productive ecosystem acts as a natural fish nursery. Sunderban mangrove reduces the fury of cyclonic storm and prevents erosion due to tidal action. Finally, millions of people depend on Sunderban ecosystem for their livelihood and sustenance through fishing, collection of honey and fuelwood/timber. 

Topography and Soil

Geologically, the Sunderban delta is the largest prograding delta on the globe. The region is covered solely by quaternary sediments carried and deposited by the rivers Ganges , Matla & Bidyadhari. 

Tiger Census

The Tiger estimation has traditionally been done in Sunderban by “Pug Mark Method” in which the fresh left hind pug mark impression is collected from the field and analyzed. The pugmark method was field friendly but due to some of the drawbacks, Project Tiger developed a new methodology for the “Monitoring of Tigers, Co-predators, Prey and Habitat”

The Monitoring of Tiger, Co-predators, Prey and Habitat Exercise in Sunderban was conducted from 5th January 2006 to 10th January 2006, as a part of All India estimation of Tiger, Co-predators, Prey and Habitat exercise.

Sunderban is among the five Natural World Heritage Sites In India namely, Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park, Keoladeo Wildlife Sanctuary, Sunderban National Park and Nandadevi National Park.

The Sunderban Biosphere Reserve has three main objectives:

• Restoration of the unique mangrove ecosystem of Sunderban and conservation of its     biodiversity.

• Development of sustainable economic, social activities of the population living in the Biosphere Reserve.

• Facilitating research, monitoring, education and training to perpetuate the achievements made. 

People

The people of this area are unique in their occupation and lifestyle, faiths, rituals and beliefs – farmers, fishermen, wood collectors, honey collectors and poachers.

Sunderban represents a society that is primarily agricultural.  The people live in villages adjoining forests which is the home of Tigers. For survival, these people have to fight with nature day in and day out. The hardships of daily existence have given rise to fraternal feelings and non-communal traditions.  Members of both Hindu and Muslim communities worship the same Gods and Goddesses. The two most famous among them are Dakshin Ray and Banabibi.  Dakshin Ray is worshiped as the God of Tiger and all those who enter the forests for subsistence, worship Dakshin Ray irrespective of their caste, creed and religion.  Banabibi, on the other hand, is considered as the protector of the inhabitants of the forests.  She is popular both amongst Hindus and Muslims.

The Ganges and the Brahmaputra form this alluvial archipelago of 54 islands watered by the Bay of Bengal. The islands Goasaba, Sandeshkali and Basanti form the northern boundary of the Sundarbans; on the south is the sea; to the west side of the Sunderbans park is the Matla and Bidya Rivers and to the east is the international boundary of Bangladesh. 

Climate

Rainfall is heavy and humidity high (80% on average) due to the proximity of the Bay of Bengal. The monsoon usually lasts from mid-June until mid-September, after which fair weather prevails until mid-March. Mean annual maximum and minimum temperatures recorded are 34°C and 20°C, respectively. Prevailing wind is from the north and north-east from October to mid-March, although January and February are quieter months. Violent south-westerlies prevail from mid-March to September. Storms are common in May and October-November, sometimes developing into cyclones which are usually accompanied by tidal waves and cause much loss of life and damage to property and the forests 

Important Dates in Sundarbans' History

The Sundarbans National Park was established as a national park on 4 May 1984. Before this it was been declared as a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1977. It was been designated as the core area of Sundarbans Tiger Reserve in December 1973. Sunderbans National Park was inscribed on the World Heritage List in year 1985. 

Landscape

The area that makes up the Sunderban National Park is the largest estuarine mangrove forest in the world. With the altitude averaging at 7.5 m above sea level, there is hardly any highland variation throughout the park at the Sundarbans. The park is dotted with 54 small islands that are networked by many tributaries of the mighty rivers Ganga and Brahmaputra, which finally flow out at the southern tip into the Bay of Bengal. 

Flora

The main forest cover in the Sunderbans comprises of estuarine mangrove forests intermixed by swamp and littoral forests. There is mangrove scrub forest, salt water mixed forest, brackish water mixed forest and alluvial grasslands. Due to the dense and huge forest reserve, Sundarbans has also been classified as a World Biosphere Reserve. Some of the more commonly found plants and trees in the park are Genwa, Dhundal, Passur, Garjan, Kankra and Goran. 

Fauna

The Sundarbans forest is home to more than 400 tigers. The Royal Bengal Tigers have adapted themselves very well to the saline and aqua surroundings and are extremely good swimmers.

The animal number of the Sundarbans is quite varied keeping it's climatic conditions in mind. Apart from the Royal Bengal Tiger, Sundarbans houses - Fishing Cats, Macaques, Wild Boar, Common Grey Mongoose, Fox, Jungle Cat, Flying Fox, Indian Pangolin, Chitals, etc. 

Avifauna

Due to climatic conditions popular at the park, it creates an ideal habitat for the native as well as migratory birds of a numerous variety. 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, Seaguls, Common Kingfishers, Peregrine falcons, Woodpeckers, Whimprels, Black-Tailed Godwits, Little Stints, Eastern Knots, Curlews, Golden Plovers, Pintails, White Eyed Pochards and Whistling Teals. 

Reptiles

The Sundarbans National Park has an excellent number of reptiles that are seen within its area. Some of the most seen 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. 

Rides in the Sundarbans National Park

The Boat Cruise

The best and only means of travelling the park is to hire a boat and float down the various lanes formed by the many flowing rivers. Either hire one, which is operated by the locals in the area or one of the two luxury launches - M.V. Chitrarekha and M.V. Madhukar, operated by the tourism department. The M.V. Chitrarekha offers all the basic facilities required by the tourists, including overnight accommodation. The local boats are available at Canning, Gosaba and Basanti whereas the luxury launches starts their journey only from Canning.

SunderbansTiger Reserve Wildlife Travel Circuit

Delhi - Guwahati - Kaziranga National Park - Guwahati - Bagdogra - Kalimpong - Siliguri - Kolkata - Sunderbans National Park. 

How to Get There

Air : The nearest airport is Kolkata, at 112 km.

Rail : Canning is nearest railhead, at a distance of 48 km.

Road : Road transportation is available from Kolkata for Namkhana (105-kms), Sonakhali (100-kms), Raidighi (76-kms), Canning (64-kms), and Najat (92-kms), which are all near the Sunderbans and have access to the riverine waterways.

Water : Sundarbans are approachable only by riverrine waterways. Motor launch facilitiy are available from Namkhana - Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project- Sagar Island -Jambudwip; from Sajnekhali - Sudhanyakhali-Buridabri- Netidhopan-Holiday Island; from Sonakhali - Gosaba; from Raidighi - Kalas.

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