Sunderbans-The Haunt of the Royal Bengal Tiger

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The name ‘Sunderbans’ means ‘beautiful forests’ when translated from Bengali. The Sunderbans, comprise an astounding network of mangrove forests at the deltas of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers, as they empty into the Bay of Bengal. These mangrove forests are unrivalled as the only one of its kind in the world, sprawling over a huge 10,000 square kilometre surface area, of which 35 percent is accounted to India’s possession, including over 100 scattered Indian deltaic islands.

What makes the Sunderbans even more thrilling is that the canopied shades of the mangroves harbour the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger, a powerful swimmer. This is the only destination in the world, where tigers are found to live amidst mangrove jungles. The origin of the tiger’s journey here remains shrouded in mystery, even amongst the locals.

Not limited to the tiger, the surreal locales of the Sunderbans’ marshy expanses possess a unique biodiversity, being home to a multitude of vibrantly coloured birds, monitor lizards, various species of crabs, spotted and barking deer, king cobras, estuarine crocodiles, river Terrapins, river dolphins, porcupines, and many more. The Sunderbans National Park has been designated to protect these endangered wildlife species.

The only way to gain access to the Sunderbans’ treasures is via water transport. Lying 100 kilometres to the south-east of Kolkata travels to the Sunderbans’ are facilitated by railway linkage till Canning, from where one can avail road transportation till Godkhali, a short distance away. Godkhali serves as the primary port for the mangrove paradise. The Sunderbans attract flocks of nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts to its shores throughout the year. However, it is best to avoid the area during the monsoons, when the water level rises dramatically, making the tigers venture inward. The best season for tiger spotting is the winter when the waters are calm. Travelsetu.com offers a wide range of tour packages to ease your escapades to the Sunderbans.

The Most Exhilarating Sites in the Sunderbans


• The Sudhanyakhali Watch Tower:This watch tower provides, arguably, the best opportunities to spot a Royal Bengal Tiger amidst the panoramic views of the mangroves. Axis deer and other animals may be spotted easily from this vantage point.
• The Sajnekhali Watch Tower:This is the second most opportune vantage point for tiger-sighting, after Sudhanyakhali. Apart from tigers, the Sajnekhali Watch Tower showcases a crocodile park within its confines, with a diverse range of estuarine crocodiles. There is also a museum which provides comprehensive information about the mangroves. Other attractions include an area where river turtles bask in the sun and a local temple dedicated to Bonobibi.
• Netidhopani:This place has a picturesque lake and the ruins of a 400-year-old revered temple, thus forming a perfect location for a picnic in between wildlife excursions. Netidhopani also hosts a range of modern amenities that cater to travellers.
• The Sunderbans National Park:Located amidst the dense mangroves, and comprising stretches where the land meets with narrow creeks of brackish water, this wildlife sanctuary covers a massive area, with separate zones designated for tiger-viewing and bird-spotting. Lots of other wildlife species are also seen here.
• Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary: With its pristine setting of vividly coloured trees and their flowers, the Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary offers a magnificent scope for beholding the delightful sights of egrets, herons, macaques, kingfishers, and many more.








Travelsetu.com offers tour packages to the Sunderbans at the most economical rates, whilst never compromising the quality of your experiences in the only Mangrove Tiger Reserve in the world.

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