SUNDERBANS
Where Nature Rules
The Sunderbans is the biggest estuarine forest in the world. Exploring this strange phenomenon is a rare experience. If who want to explore this rarity you need to get to Calcutta where you can access the river cruise which takes you down these ancient mangrove forestlands. The luxuriant forestland of the delta region is also home to the biggest colony of Royal Bengal Tigers. The core area of 1,330sq km of the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve (under Project Tiger) has been declared a National Park and is recognised as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. It may be a bit of a hassle to get to it- but that hassle is well worth it. It's another world out there. The best time to visit is between September to October.
HOW TO REACH
By Air:
Dum Dum Airport at Calcutta.
List of Airlines
Indian Airlines,
Alliance Air
Jetairways
Sahara
By Rail:
Howrah and Sealdah are the two main railheads in Calcutta. You can only reach the main part of the Sunderbans by riverine waterways. Embarkation points are only accessible by suburban trains to Canning. Raidighi, Basanti, Namkhana and Najat also have regular bus services from Calcutta.
List of Trains
Rajdhani Express
Kalka Mail
Chambal Express
Bangalore Express
By Road:
You need to get to Sajnekhali by motor boat out of Canning, which is accessible by train and bus services from Calcutta, and then catch the M.V.Chitrarekha Cruise boat. Private bus services are available from Canning, Gosaba and Basanti. Raidighi, Namkhana and Najatare are well connected by road to Calcutta.
GETTING AROUND
Local boats and cycle rickshaws, apart from getting to the embarkation points by local buses, hired cabs or suburban trains. From Calcutta it's about 112 km. Gosaba is the nearest town (50 km) and Canning is the nearest railhead (48 km). The boat ride from Gosaba takes about 6-7 hours. Then you need to take a rickshaw to Pakhirala and then a boat ride to Sajnekhali. At the Sajnekhali Visitors Centre, you can hire motorized launches for excursions into the mangrove. You can take a day trip (about Rs600 per person) or opt for a shorter route, which would cost you about Rs400. If you're not taking the scheduled river cruise organized by the West Bengal Tourism Department (October to March), remember you have to get permits from authorized department for the area you'll be visiting. You will also have to budget for a guide.
WHERE TO SHACK UP
M.V.Chitrarekha and M.V. Madhukar have arrangements to stay on board. You can also stay at the tourist lodges located at Sajnekhali, Bakkhali and Piyali overnight. The room rates vary from Rs200 to Rs600. you'll get breakfast and lunch/dinner in this deal. Rest houses and accommodation are on stilts or the ground in a fenced area. Moving around after dark is strictly prohibited (the Royal Bengal Tigers are known to savour the flavour of human flesh.
THINGS TO DO
Permits are needed to visit various parts of the region. For Project Tiger and Sajnekhali Sanctuary you can contact the Field Director, Project Tiger, P.O. Canning. Dist. 24 Pargahanas. Tel. Canning. 9118 55280, STD 03218 55280.
For other areas of Sunderbans contact the Divisional Forest officer, 24 Parghanas, 35 Gopalnagar, Calcutta. Tel 479-9032
You can contact the West Bengal Tourism Office to take the two-day river cruise or just hire local boats from various embarkation points listed earlier out of Canning. Cruise through the brackish kharris flanked by dense mangrove forest all around. If you want to visit places outside the core area permission should be taken from the authorities, as a general river cruise needs no approval.
Sunderbans takes its name from the Sundari tree which grows in abundance along with other flora such as Genwa, Dhundal,Passur and Grajan in this huge delta area. The almost impenetrable Goran trees, which rise almost to 3.6 meters in height covers almost the entire region. The most amazing feature about the mangrove forest is the bayonet-like roots that are revealed extending out of the water level when the tide recedes.
The Sunderbans is home to jungle cats, fishing cats, Axis deer, mongoose and the largest collection of estuarine crocodiles in the world. It is the breeding ground for numerous varieties of birds, from the common Heron to Whimprells. King cobras and the famous Olive Ridley turtle have made it their home.
Hire a country boat to visit Lothian Island Bird Sanctuary famous for its White bellied Sea Eagle, Black Capped Kingfisher and Whimbrell. At Bakkhali red Fiddle Crabs and thousands of birds'll greet you amidst a cacophony squawking and chittering mayhem. The Project Tiger Reserve is home to the largest collection of Royal Bengal Tigers. There are watering holes at Sajnekhali, Sudhanyakhali, Netidhopani and Haldi, where there are strategically placed watchtowers.
Mayadwip is the nesting-place of the Olive Ridley Turtles. Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary is a bird watcher's paradise. There's a hatchery cum sanctuary for the biggest estuarine crocodiles in the world at the Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project complex. Kalasdwip, where the Matla River flows into the Bay of Bengal is a densely wooded island.
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK
If you want to hit the hot spots do it in Calcutta.
WHERE TO SHOP
Plunder the shops in Calcutta's markets. Here you're only shopping fantastic memories.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Tourist office
West Bengal Tourism Dev.Corp. Netaji Indoor Stadium (West Block) Tel 033 248 7302
STD Code
Calcutta - 033
- You can make calls from the tourist lodge.
Money Matters
Calcutta is a major metro and the leading banks are well represented in the city.
Medical Matters
Basic facilities are available on the cruise ship and at Sajnekhali Tourist Lodge. For emergencies head for Calcutta.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Area : 2608 sq. kms.
Altitude : Sea Level.
Temperature (deg C): Summer- Max. 42, Min. 37; Winter- Max. 29, Min. 9.2.
Clothings : Summer- Tropical / Cotton, Winter- Woollens.
Languages spoken : Bengali, Hindi, English.
Best season : September to March. July to September for Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary.
STD Code : 03219.
ENTRY PERMIT
To visit Tiger Project area including Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary permission is to obtained from:
The Joint Secretary (Forest), Govt. of West Bengal, 4th Floor, G-Block,Writers' Building, Calcutta- 700 001, Tel: 225-5601 Extn 411/754.
TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION
·
Air : Nearest airport is Calcutta (131 kms). Indian Airlines connect Calcutta with the all major cities in India.
·
Rail: Sundarbans is accessible only by riverine waterways. From Calcutta there are suburban train to Canning and buses to Namkhana, Raidighi, Sonakhali and Najat from where Motor launch services are available for Sundarbans.
·
Road: Above mentioned embarkation points from Calcutta are: Namkhana (105 km), Sonakhali (100 km), Raidighi (76 km), Canning (64 km), Najat (92 km).
·
Waterways: Approximate time taken between various points are :
1. From Namkhana - Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project (2.5 hours) Sagar Island (2.5 hours) Jambudwip (3.5 hours)
2. From Sajnekhali - Sudhanyakhali (40 minutes) Buridabri (Tiger Project Area) (5 hours) Netidhopari (3.5 hours) Holiday Island (3 hours)
3. From Sonakhali - Gosaba (1 hour)
4. From Raidighi - Kalas (5 hours)
· For Private Launches Contact: West Bengal Launch Owners' Syndicate, Calcutta
Bet you ….
A thrilling cruise through the largest estuarine delta in the world and the biggest colony of the `Royal Bengal Tigers' - the Sundarbans (please edit, david!)
