SUNDARBAN West Bengal Largest Mangrove forest in the world Best place to visit in Kolkata

SUNDARBAN - The Mangrove Land

Sundarbans, the very name casts a spell, and exploring this national park is every wild lover’s dream.

Home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, the largest delta in the world awaits you. It is an UNESCO world heritage site-native at its fullest. It is a perfect destination for weekend getaway from Kolkata.

It was actually named after a mangrove tree called Sundari, which translates to beautiful. And no one can deny the fact of this park being nature’s own land and being blessed with bountiful flora and fauna.

Created by the confluence of the Ganga, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna, the Sundarbans is the largest delta in the world spread across the mouth of Bay of Bengal, from India to Bangladesh. On the Indian side are 102 islands, of which 54 are inhabited.

Places to visit in SUNDARBAN

1. Hamilton Bungalow

Hamilton Bunglow
Sir Hamilton’s bungalow at Gosaba, from where father of the Sundarban, Sir Daniel Mackinnon Hamilton started the biggest cooperative society in Sundarban area.

2. Beacon Bungalow

Beacon’s bungalow at Gosaba where Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore once resided and enjoyed the beauty of the Sundarban forest.

3. Pakhiralay

A Bird Sanctuary in the Sunderbans. Seven colourful species of kingfisher, white bellied Sea Eagle, Plovers,Lap-wings, Curlews, Whimbrels, Sandpipers and occasional Pelican can be seen. A treat for bird watchers, ornithologists as kaleidoscope of colou breaks at sunrise on the horizon, at the kingdom of birds at Sajnekhali. There is also a museum and the olive ridley turtle hatchery.

4. Sajnekhali Watch Tower and Museum

The Sajnekhali sanctuary, famous for its rich avian population, is regarded as a part of the Sundarbans National Park. The kingdom of birds at Sajnekhali enchants your eyes. The most sought after sights by a bird watcher are seven colourful species of Kingfisher, white bellied Sea Eagle, Plovers, Lap-Wings, Curfews, Whimprel, Sandpipers and occasional Pelican.

5. Sudhanyakhali Watch Tower

Most of the tigers are sighted from this tower. Some other wildlife like axis deers, wild boars and crocodiles may also be seen from this watch tower. This watch tower has a capacity to host 25 persons at a time. There is a sweet water pond where animals come to drink water. Behind the pond are stretches of land bereft of any vegetation where one can sight animals from a distance.

6. Dobanki Watch Tower

The canopy walk inside the forest(496 mtr) sends chills down your spine (experience the life in which caged animals live in, while getting a 360° view of the forest).

7. Panchmukhani

Panchmukhi, is the meeting point of five rivers. Five rivers meet at a point with a beautiful surrounding. There is high scope and chance that one can spot a deer or a herd of deer at the banks of the rivers at Panchmukhi.

Points to remember
1. Best time to visit SUNDARBAN is between November to March.
2. Carry a telescope, Suncream and an umbrella
3. Book the tour from a tour operator for at least 2 days and 1 night or even longer if possible

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