Beautiful Sea Forests – Sunderbans in the Bay of Bengal

Salt-resistant, mangrove trees – Sundari trees – lend their name to the Sunderbans, the world’s largest delta. It is fed by the Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers. Covering about 10,000sq.km, most of it is located in Bangladesh and the other, in West Bengal in India. Both the areas are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The most famous animal of the region – the Royal Bengal Tiger – is found in the Sunderban National Park here. The tiger, which number about a 400, is adapted to pounce, run and swim in the mangrove swamps. There is a tiger reserve that keeps a check on the tigers and their conservation. Other animals found here are Chital deer, barking deer, estuarine crocodiles, variety of birds and turtles, and snakes. The Olive Ridley and Hawk-billed Turtle are famous here.

The mangroves are closely monitored by conservationists and the government alike. But it is the natives who are active as they have a symbiotic relationship with the forests. Fuel, timber and food are only some of the things that people here depend on from the mangrove forests.

Port Canning, 48km away, is the nearest railhead. Kolkata, 112km away, has the nearest airport. Cruises from Port Canning will take you to several swamp islands and small ports in the Sunderbans. You can spot many animals, birds and reptiles on the way. Many resorts and eco-lodges here will arrange guides and boats for tourists. The best time is between September and May.

Also visit the Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary and the Haliday Island.