Sunderbans is situated in the 24 Parganas district of the Indian state of west Bengal. Created by the confluence of three rivers, Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna, the Sunderbans delta covers an area of 38,500 sq.kms with a major portion of it falling in Bangladesh. It consists of 54 small islands, and swamps crisscrossed by innumerable waterways and canals, and are named after the sundari trees growing abundantly here.

 

Spread over 2585 sq.km, the Sunderbans National Park situated in West Bengal, India, is the world’s biggest estuarine mangrove forest and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987. The park is home to a wide variety of plant life in addition to an amazing variety of wildlife. Endangered species like Olive Ridley turtles, Gangetic Dolphins, the fishing cat, River Terrapin, etc find a home here. The park is known as the habitat of the endangered Royal Bengal tiger too which number more than 200.

The Tiger Reserve is undoubtedly the most popular draw in Sunderbans National Park. The tigers have adapted themselves to the unique eco-system of the region and are excellent swimmers who eat fish. Jungle cats, wild boars, rhesus monkeys, fishing cats, chitals, dolphins, snakes, king cobras and estuarine crocodiles are some of the inhabitants of the park. The Crocodile Sanctuary at Bhagabatpur where crocodiles are bred is also worth a visit. A visit to the Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary, home to birds such as spotted-billed pelicans, white ibis, eagles, ospreys, falcons, Caspian terns and open-billed herons, to name a few, will be a thrilling experience for avian enthusiasts. A Mangrove Interpretation Centre here helps to create awareness about the need for conservation of forests.

The Halliday Island and Lotian Island Sanctuaries, lying south of the Sunderbans is a home for birds. Amidst mangrove forests, there is a 400 year old temple in Netidhopani. The watch tower here provides panoramic views of the surrounding areas. The beaches at Kanak are a favorite breeding place of Olive Ridley turtles that migrate from a long distance to the shallow coastal waters. The islands of Sunderbans with the swamps, mangroves and amazing variety of flora and fauna are a travel destination that promises an unforgettable and unique experience.