| Location
of Sunderbans Tiger Reserve: |
Piyali,
West Bengal, India |
| Area covered: |
1330 sq. km |
| Main Wildlife Found
in Sunderbans Tiger Reserve: |
Bengal
Tiger, Ridley Sea Turtle |
| Best time to visit
Sunderbans Tiger Reserve: |
September
to March (The park remains open all
round the year) |
Located
in the Ganga delta in West Bengal, spanng
the Hooghly in the west and Teulia river in
the east, Sunderbans was declared a National
Park in 1984. The park covers a vast stretch
of mangrove swamp, lush forested islands and
small rivers near the Bay of Bengal. Most
of the region comprises estuarine mangrove
forests and swamps which supports an ecosystem
specially adapted to great salinity.
Project Tiger has also launched a programme
to protect the Olive Ridley sea turtles. Crocodiles
and the Gangetic dolphin are to be found aplenty
in the Raimgangal river. The Sajnakhali sanctuary,
famous for its rich avian population, is regarded
as a part of the Sunderbans National Park.
Flora in Sundarbans National Park
Fascinating life forms await you in this
largest estuarine delta in the world, Sunderbans.
In April and May the flaming red leaves of
the Genwa, edge the emerald islands. The crab
like red flowers of the Kankara and the yellow
blooms of Khalsi add to the dazzling display.
As you penetrate into the forests of Sundarbans,
this fairyland unfolds its mysterious beauty.
Major Wildlife Attractions of
Sundarbans
The
Sundarbans forest is home to more than 400
tigers. The Bengal Tigers have adapted themselves
very well to the saline and aqua environs
and are extremely good swimmers. As you enter
the adventurous wild land of the Sundarbans
you'll be thrilled to see the Chital Dear
and Rhesus Monkey. The aqua fauna of Sundarbans
include variety of fishes, red Fiddler Crabs
and Hermit Crabs.
There
are crocodiles, which can be often seen along
the mud banks. Sundarbans national park is
also noted for its conservation of the Ridley
Sea Turtle. There's is a incredible variety
of reptiles also found in Sundarbans, which
includes King Cobra, Rock Python and Water
Monitor. The endangered river Terrapin, Batagur
Baska is found on the Mechua Beach, while
the Barkind Deer is found only in Holiday
Island in Sunderbans.
Other Attractions In Sundarbans
The Sajnakhali Sanctuary
:The Sajnakhali sanctuary, famous for its
rich avian population, is regarded as a part
of the Sunderbans National Park. The kingdom
of birds at Sajnekhati enchants your eyes.
The most sought after sights by a bird watcher
are seven colourful species of Kingfisher,
white bellied Sea Eagle, Plovers, Lap-Wings,
Curfews, Whimbrels, Sandpipers and occasional
Pelican.
Netidhopani : At Netidhopani,
the ruins of a 400 year old temple and legends
lend mystery to the atmosphere.
Bhagabatpur : Bhagabatpur
is famous for having a hatchery of the largest
estuarine crocodiles in the world.
Kanak : Kanak is the nesting
place of the Olive Ridley Turtles.
Haliday Island : Haliday
island is famous as last retrest of Barking
Dear in India.
Piyali : Piyali is the gatway
to Sundarbans, 72-kms from Kolkatta by road
and close to Sajnekhali, Sudhanyakhali, Netidhopani
through waterways. A small river Piyali flows
through the green paddy fields and mingles
with river Matla. Picturesque Piyali delta
makes an ideal romantic holiday destination.
A beautiful tourist complex with accommodation
and recreation facilities is also situated
over here.
Kaikhali : On your way
to Sundarbans you cannot afford to miss Kaikhali
Island, where nature is so alive and so colourful.
An ideal picnic spot.
Best time to visit Sundarbans Tiger Reserve
- September to May
Due to its proximity to the Bay of Bengal,
the Sunderbans experience very high humidity.
Rainfall is quite heavy during monsoon, which
last from mid-June to mid-September. After
the monsoons, fair weather prevails until
mid-March. The best season to visit the Sunderban
is between December and February.
How to reach Sundarbans Tiger Reserve
By air: Dum Dum (166kms), is the nearest
airport at Calcutta.
By rail: The nearest railhead is at Canning,
48 kms away.
The nearest town is Gosaba, 50 kms away.
Accommodation near Sundarbans Tiger Reserve
Forest lodge and forest rest-houses are available
for accomodation at Sajnakhali.
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