Thursday, December 29, 2011

Sundarbans



Sundarbans, literally means beautiful forest, is a combined forest in Bangladesh and India and a heaven for photographers and travelers and is the biggest mangrove forest in the world and is a treasure island of biodiversity. The Sundarbans has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The part of the forest within Indian Territory is called Sundarbans National Park and is in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. The Sundarbans cover an area of 38,500 sq km, of which about one-third is covered in water/marsh areas. Since 1966 the Sundarbans have been a wildlife sanctuary, and it is estimated that there are now 400 Royal Bengal tigers and about 30,000 spotted deer in the area.

Paradise for wild life and greenish dense forest adventures and enthusiastic photographers, looks for the real panoramic region as the canvas, come over to Sundarbans. This forest has the credit of large number of Sundari trees and some claim that Sundarban derived its name from these trees. One who likes nature in its wildest forms, Sundarbans is the prime location which is not to be missed.
It is also the perfect place for the ordinary holiday makers who desire to rest or roam around at will to refresh their mind and feast their eyes with the rich treasure that nature has so fondly bestowed.

Climate

  • October to February — winter, cool and temperate
  • March to May — summer, hot and humid
  • June to September — the monsoon season, wet and windy

PLACES TO SEE :
  • Hiron Point a beautiful spot, great for spotting tigers and other wildlife
  • Tin Kona Island another popular spot for wildlife spotting.
  • Katka a base for safaris, and good spot to see tigers and for bird-watching.
  • Dublar Char Island it's possible to fish here.

For people visiting the place from India (West Bengal), the following should form a part of the itinerary:

  • Sudhanyakhali Watch Tower - Most of the tigers are sighted from this tower. Some other wildlife like axis deers and crocodiles may also be seen from this watch tower.
  • Sajnekhali Watch Tower - Another watch tower that also houses a museum, a Bonobibi Temple and a crocodile park within its premises.
  • Sajnekhali Pakiralaya
  • Dobanki Watch Tower
  • Bhagbatpur crocodile project
  • Buridabri
  • Netidhopani - It has a temple that’s 400 years old
  • Kanak - Ideal for viewing the Olive Ridley Turtles
  • Holiday Island - It is famous for the Barking Deers

Do :

Apart from visiting the tourist destinations, you may also take some time-out to go to a nearby village to see the life-style of the local people and talk to them to have an insight into their lives.


Buy :

Some handcrafted articles made by the local people could be good mementos to bring back home.

Eat :

It's best to savor the delicious dishes made of fresh catches from the water. Some of the lodges also have their own kitchen garden to give the guests a sample of fresh produce.


Drink :

It is wise to carry own drinking water or carry water purifier tablet/liquid drop.

Sleep :

- SAJNEKHALI TOURIST LODGE

Address: Hotel Sajnekhali Tourist Lodge, P.O. - Gosaba, District - South 24 Parganas, 743331, West Bengal, India.

Ratings: Government approved. FOR MORE INFORMATION

-SUNDERBAN CHITAL TOURIST LODGE

SITUATED NEAR THE MANGROVE WILD HUB LAND OF SUNDERBAN AT SAJNEKHALI, IS THE BEAUTIFUL GOVT. RUN TOURIST LODGE OF SUNDAR CHITAL. FOR RESERVATION DO CONTACT :- WEST BENGAL TOURIST DEVELOPMENT. FOR MORE INFORMATION

SUNDERBAN TIGER CAMP:

Sunderban Tiger Camp is a luxuary forest resort, amidst of a sprawling 15 bighas of forest land just opposite of Sajnekhali Tiger Reserve Forest, in the heart of sunderbans. Our resorts with all star facilities and services is just a breeze away. FOR MORE INFORMATION

Stay safe :

While as a tourist you are unlikely to face any danger from the local wildlife, it is wise to be informed that two of the most potentially dangerous animals on Earth reside within the Sundarbans. The Sundarbans is well known as the only place left where Bengal Tigers still hunt and kill humans, and they do it regularly. That being said, these victims are always locals who live within the Sundarbans and rely on it for survival, hence there is a "live and let live" policy between man and tiger. Saltwater Crocodiles also inhabit the Sundarbans and are well known to be the largest and (along with the Nile Crocodile) most aggressive reptile on Earth. In the Sundarbans you are unlikely to be in crocodile territory without a large boat, so the risk is minimal. As you can see, while living in the Sundarbans is extremely dangerous, very little risk is posed to the average tourist. Snakes exist, but are primarily either shy or nocturnal, unless you plan on venturing off into the bush alone you don't have much to worry about.


Stay healthy :

As with the rest of tropical Asia, mosquito-borne diseases including (but not limited to) Malaria and Dengue Fever are present within the Sundarbans at varying levels dependent on the season (the Wet season representing the greatest risk.) It is important to note that the most feared animal (by both locals and tourists) within the tropics is the mosquito and represents a greater threat than any man-eater could. Also, as with any rural part of India, drinking water should be limited to bottled only and always use your best judgment when choosing what to eat.


  • How to reach Sunderbans by Road :

    From Calcutta: Namkhana (105 km), Sonakhali (100 km), Raidighi (76 km), Canning (64 km), Najat (92 km).


  • How to reach Sunderbans by Rail :


    The nearest railhead is at Canning, 48 kms away.The nearest town is Gosaba, 50 kms away.



  • How to reach Sunderbans by Air :


    Dum Dum (166kms), is the nearest airport at Calcutta.


  • How to reach Sunderbans by Water :


    Sunderban is only accessible by waterways. Approximate time taken between various points are :
    From Namkhana - Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project (2.5 hours)
    Sagar Island (2.5 hours)
    Jambudwip (3.5 hours)
    From Sajnekhali - Sudhanyakhali (40 minutes)
    Buridabri (Tiger Project Area) (5 hours)
    Netidhopari (3.5 hours)
    Holiday Island (3 hours)
    From Sonakhali - Gosaba (1 hour)
    From Raidighi - Kalas (5 hours)



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