Located
in the Ganga delta in West Bengal, spanning 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.
Sunderbans is home to the magnificent Royal Bengal tiger, the park holding more
tigers than any other tiger reserve. More than 400 tigers were recorded during
the mid-1980s. 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.
When to visit
September to May
How to get there
By air : Dum Dum (166kms), is the nearest airport at
Kolkata.
By rail : The nearest railhead is at Canning, 48 kms away.
The nearest town is Gosaba, 50 km away.
Where to stay
Forest lodge and forest rest-houses are available for
accommodation at Sajnakhali.
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