Travel Guide to Sundarbans National Park

Located at the South Eastern tip of the West Bengal in India is the exceptional Mangrove forest. These forests are officially known as the Sundarbans forest. This mangrove swamp is of such grandeur that it is a wildlife sanctuary, national park, tiger reserve as well as a UNESCO world heritage site.

In a nutshell, Sundarban wildlife sanctuary is the synonym for ethereal landscapes, complex ecosystems, exceptional flora, and fauna. Without a doubt, it is a honeymoon for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. Sundarbans is the riot of exuberant colors ready to make you feel at home.

1.  History of Sundarbans Tiger Reserve

These forests have existed on the face of the earth for many centuries now. One can find the earliest mention of Sundarban forest in texts dating back to 200-300 AD. One can trace back their importance in the Mughal period too. There used to be many human settlements in the past dotted across the forest. Their remnants can be seen today also at a place famously known as Netidhopani.

In an earnest attempt to protect the endangered royal Bengal tigers, the Government of India declared it the Sundarbans Tiger reserve in 1973. Likewise, in 1977 and 1984, this mangrove forest got uplifted to the status of Sundarbans Wildlife sanctuary and Sundarbans National park.

2.  Geography of Sundarban Forest

Other than flora and fauna and picturesque landscapes, it is the placement of the Sundarbans national park that fascinates the wildlife lovers the most. It spreads in an area of 9630 square kilometers. Apart from that, it is on the largest delta formed by majestic as well as of mythological importance river that is Ganga and its tributaries.

Sundarbans national park lies in the buffer zone of salt and freshwater. Moreover, It is a cluster of 102 low lying islands.

3.  How to reach Sundarban?

Located in 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, Sundarbans wildlife sanctuary is merely at a distance of 110 kilometers from Kolkata. Kolkata has a convenient, safe, and affordable connectivity with the rest of India.

Once you reach Kolkata, you can further move towards Sundarbans either by train or road till Godhkhari. From Godhkhari, you have to cover the rest of the journey by boat or ferry. Clearly there is no other way to reach Sundarbans.

How to reach Godhkhali

By Air:- Reach Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport, Kolkata, which is the nearest airport to the forest. After landing at the airport, you can either travel by train or by road up to Canning, which is hardly 54 kilometers from Kolkata. After reaching Canning, you have to share a local cab to Godhkhali.

By train:- The nearest railway station to the Sundarbans National park is in Canning. From Canning, You have to reach to Godhkhali by a shared cab. Furthermore, from Godhkhali board the ferry or a boat that will take you to Sundarbans.

By road:- Reach Godhkhali by road, and travel by ferry or a boat from there to reach the Sundarbans.

4.  Where to Stay in Sundarbans?

Hundreds of tourists visit Sundarbans, and accommodation is never a problem for the wildlife lovers here. Furthermore, Tourists can choose from an extensive list of accommodations varying from eco-friendly resorts to government-run budget-friendly hotels and lodges.

A few of the accommodations which provide a safe stay, as well as fantastic hospitality, are such as:-

• Sundarbans Tiger Camp
• Sundarbans Riverside Holiday Resort
• Sundarbans Tiger Safari Resort
• Sundarbans Mangrove Retreat
• Sundarbans Jungle Camp

5.  About the Royal Bengal Tigers of Sundarbans

The Mangrove forests of the Sundarbans forest are famous for hosting a significant population of Royal Bengal Tigers. The fascinating fact about these magnanimous beings is that they have adapted themselves to the unique ecosystem. They have adapted to swimming also. Sundarbans is not land but a collection of many islands that get inundated during high tide.

You can spot a tiger crossing these water bodies which connect one island to another. Moreover, these conditions have helped the tigers to evolve and become better hunters too. These ferocious beings can also be easily spotted sunbathing during the wintertime.

6.  About Sundarban Tiger Camp

Sundarbans Tiger Camp resort is a safe and comfortable hideout for the tourists. It is also safe haven for those who want to relax and enjoy their time away from the chaos and clutters of the world. Founded in 2004 and equipped with modern facilities, the resort has four types of accommodation categories. These categories are tents, bamboo huts, rooms, and cottages.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes, the serene atmosphere here will instantly make you feel at peace and harmony with nature.

The unmatchable and enthralling facilities include a restaurant known as The Fisherman’s Wharf and a bar. The camp also provides services such as intercom, boat rental, wifi, and doctors on call, souvenir shop, and many more to give a wholesome experience during the stay.

7.  Wildlife in Sundarban National Park

The mangrove forest has a wide array of some of the rarest as well as impressive wildlife. The unique saltwater ecosystem of the Sundarbans forests spread in India and Bangladesh is famous for the species like Irrawaddy Dolphins and India Python apart from the Royal Bengal tigers.

Other than these, the species which wildlife lovers love to see are Saltwater crocodiles, Pangolin, Flying Fox, Water Monitors, Salvator Lizards, common grey mongoose, and many more.

These saline mud-flats are the world’s most extensive estuarine forests named after the ‘Sundari’ trees. Sundari trees have around sixty-four varieties. Other plant species found here are cannonball mangrove, Garjan, Kankra, Goran, Genwa, and Passur.

These mangrove forests provide ideal conditions for many birds species to flourish. There are as many as 248 species of birds here, which make Sundarbans a haven for ornithologists and bird watchers.

8.  What to See and Do

The thrill begins as soon as you board a ferry or a boat to reach the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve. This forest is the retreat for the eyes and soul of the wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers. Not only that, one can witness the wilderness and colors of nature at its best.

Sundarbans is the home to some of the rarest species, such as royal Bengal tigers and saltwater crocodiles. There are watchtowers built especially for the travelers to get the bird’s eye view of the wildlife in their natural habitat.

Other than wildlife, visitors should also explore, enjoy, and indulge themselves in the lifestyle, culture, and cuisines of the local people.

Sundarbans is truly the testimony of nature’s colorfulness and bounty. The rich and vibrant colors of Sundarbans will color your soul as soon as your feet touch the ground. While in Sundarbans, be as relaxed and playful as nature is. Sundarbans in real is an opportunity to connect you with nature and locals of the forest.