The large delta of Sundarban fulfills many roles at once, a biosphere reserve, national park, tiger reserve and most importantly a mangrove ecosystem; an exodus to Sundarban Tiger Reserve will cleanse your palette and bring you the true joy of travelling on land and water.
A tourist hub, at Sundarban you can witness the true glory of swamp and mangrove forests. At the coastal fringe, visitors have no choice but to enjoy a boat ride to travel inland from the mangrove ecosystem to the woodland. Once inside, it is now time to lose yourself in the panoramic views of this rare forest through various watch towers located in separate locations. However, the unique experience does not end here because Sundarban Tiger Reserve is also famed for its productive ecosystem and some stunning wildlife experiences.
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West Bengal
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Kolkata Airport
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9/10 Beauty of Forest
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Flora of Sundarban Tiger Reserve
Sundarban, being a part of a delta, has a very specific list of flora that grows on its lands. The brackish water, alluvial soils and saline inundation breeds a certain population of trees like Sundari, Champa, Golpati and Hatal. What’s interesting is that even amongst the salty conditions almost 64 plant species strive and thrive.
The Sundarban forests are known for their unique trees that respire in interesting new ways and densely cover the swampy land. Sundarban has almost 78 species of mangroves – the mysterious halophyte that plays an important role in the survival of marine organisms especially as breeding grounds for fins and shellfishes.
● Kalo Baine
● Peara Baine
● Jat Baine
● Son Champa
● Kankra
● Bakul Kankra/ Bakul/Champa
● Jhamti Garan/ Jele Garan
● Jat Garan
● Ceriops tagal
● Bon Jui
● Baro Manda
● Genwa
● Kalak Kambing
● Sundari
● Hoya
● Goria
Fauna of Sundarban Tiger Reserve
Quite obviously, as a tiger reserve, the main attraction for tourists at Sundarban is tiger sighting, andrightfully so. One look at the majestic cat is awe-inspiring enough to last you a lifetime. However, the richness of the Sundarbans is accentuated by its rich variety of various wildlife species. Some popular ones include fishing cats, leopard cats, Indian grey mongoose, flying fox, wild boar and more. Amongst these rhesus monkeys and chital deer are the most common and fan favourite. As a delta, Sundarban is formed by the coming together of three rivers namely Ganga,Brahmaputra and Meghna. Apart from these rivers, three other rivers also form an interesting connection of networks providing the forest with enough water to support a diverse range of marine species.
Crocodiles, hermit crabs and red fiddler crabs are a few examples. Adding on, the abundant resources also breed a considerable supply of different reptiles, some famous ones include water monitor, king cobra and rock python. Some distinctive wildlife includes Barking deer, especially found at Haliday Island nearby, and Batagar Baska, an endangered species of river turtles found at the
Mechau Beach.
● Fox
● Chital
● Jungle cat
● openbill storks
● black-capped kingfishers
● black-headed ibis
● water hens
● coots
● pheasant-tailed jacanas
● pariah kites
● brahminy kite
● marsh harriers
● swamp partridges
● red junglefowl
● Bengal tiger
● saltwater crocodile
● river terrapin
● mangrove horseshoe crab
● estuarine crocodiles
● chameleons
● monitor lizards
● turtles including olive ridley
● hawksbill
●rat snake
● green turtles
● python
● king cobra
● Russell’s viper
● dog faced water snake
● checkered keelback
● olive ridley turtle
● Ganges river dolphin
● hawksbill turtle
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Explore The Known and Unknown of Sundarban Tiger Reserve
While boat safaris are all the hype at Sundarban, many travellers are unaware of some other amazing attractions here. So sit with your family or friends and design a fun filled adventure for yourself at Sundarban as we introduce you to some exciting activities. Sundarban is known for its towering Watch Towers but Sajnekhali Watch Tower is a special one. Located very close to the park, this watchtower is perfect for wildlife viewing and is often frequented by tourists. Visitors can enjoy a small picnic at the elevated height while they spot birds like Lap wings or Plovers in the distance. Kalash Island is also a famous tourist spot, especially during winters when Olive Ridley Turtles make their way to the Island sand for breeding and nesting. Another Island that you must visit is Henry Island. It is known for its lush views, sun kissed beaches, fisheries department and many ponds.
Travellers need only cross a small bamboo bridge to reach the Island, a small price to pay to see the stunning flora and fauna and delectable views. If historical field trips appease you then visiting the nearby settlements of Sundarban will also make for a great sightseeing experience. One such example is Netodhopani, a 400 year old temple of Lord Shiva situated in one of these settlements. Lastly, you should definitely take out time to visit Burir Dabri, a three in one tourist spot. This is basically a Watch Tower, but also functions as a mud walk and mangrove cage trail that leads to the Raimongal View Point. This interesting spot can even let you see the Bangladesh Sundarbans. Other hot spots outside but near Sundarban include Kolkata, Ganga Sagar, Belur Math and Digha Beach.
Sundarban Tiger Reserve Safari Booking
Sadly, Sundarban’s topography does not support Jeep Safari and only boat safaris are open for tourists. But don’t fret, as these boat safaris will introduce you to some beautiful sights and refreshing milieus. Boat Safari are open from 8:00 AM till 4:00 PM and boat entries after 6:30 PM are prohibited.
How to reach Sundarban Tiger Reserve
Sundarbans National Park, located in 24 Parganas district about 110 km from Kolkata, is well connected by train, air and road. If you’re travelling by air, the nearest airport to Sundarbans National Park is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport at Kolkata. After landing at the airport, you can reach Canning by a local train or car. After reaching Canning, passengers can take a cab or shared cab to Godkhali Jetty. From here, the only way forward is via boat rides that transport you to Sundarban National Park. If you prefer railways, you must catch a train that drops you off at Sealdah Railway Station. From here, you can take a local car or train to Canning and then hail a cab till Godkhali Jetty.Enjoy a relaxing boat ride to Sundarban after your tiring journey. If road trips are your preference you should ideally begin your drive to Godkhali from Kolkata. Once you reach, hire a cycle rickshaw to take you to Pakhiralay Village, situated on the other side of the island. From here, take another boat to Sajnekhali. You also have the option of hiring a boat and going straight to Godkhali.
Resorts at Sundarban Tiger Reserve
A lively place filled with the hustle bustle of tourists almost all year round, Sundarban has some excellent resort options for your comfort. Options are plenty and you can choose from a vast variety of budget hotels, eco-resorts, luxury hotels and even government run tourist lodges. Some popular options include Sundarban Riverside Holiday Resort, perfect to catch a break from the happening city life by staying near a tranquil riverside.
Sundarban Tiger Safari Resort is another comfortable option that can be enjoyed by travellers on a budget. You can also enjoy eco-friendly ethnic cottages at Sunderban Jungle Camp.