Among the various wildlife hotpots of India, the Sunderbans of West Bengal occupies an important place. An enchanting wildlife spot, Sunderbans is also the largest delta in the world with a total area of more than 10000 sq km.
Sunderbans covers two nations -- India and Bangladesh, and is formed by three rivers--Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna. Large tracts of mangrove forests, saltwater swamps, brackish and fresh water marshes, sand flats, sand dunes, and crocodiles--infested estuaries make the Sunderbans.
This famous wildlife spot derives its name from the Sundari trees (mangrove) which constitute the main trees of the Sunderbans forests. Actually, the Sunderbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world even though the place’s pride is the Sunderbans National Park--also known as the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve. This national park, located on the Sunderbans Delta, is the largest protected area in the world and also India’s biggest national park.
The Sunderbans is the last preserve of the Royal Bengal Tigers with the largest number of wild tigers (about 500) in the world. The Sunderbans Tiger Reserve is the site of Tiger Preserve Project started in 1974. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve has a total area of 2585 sq km with a core area of 330 sq km.
Apart from being home to the Royal Bengal Tigers, the Sunderbans also has Cheetal, Wild Boar, Rhesus, Macaque, and the Fishing Cat. The Sunderbans are also a perfect breeding ground for the estuarine crocodiles. The Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project started at Bhagabatpur has proved much successful. Actually, Bhagabatpur is the world’s largest hatchery of estuarine crocodiles.
Besides crocodiles, the Sunderbans is also a great place for the Salvator Lizards, Horse Shoe/King Crabs and River Terrapin. The place also much suits the Trans Himalayan Migratory Birds. No wonder, the Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary at the Sunderbans much attracts them. The Sunderbans is also the last retreat of the barking deer. The Holiday Island is a beautiful spot that much inspires the visitors to go on an interesting tour of the island to see the barking deer in their perfect natural surroundings.
How and when to visit
Port Canning is the main entry point to the Sunderbans and remains open for the visitors from July to March. However, if you love bird watching, then July to September is the best time for you to go on the much interesting tour of the Sunderbans.
