Sundarban: Nature's Calling......

Sundarban, declared as one of the world heritage site by UNESCO in the year of 1987, is one of the world's largest mangrove forests. Sundarban was also declared as "Biosphere Reserve" in the year of 1989. The forests is spread over the two countries viz. India & Bangladesh, where around 35% to 40% belongs to West Bengal, India. The Sundarban is a vast area of around 4264 sq. km in West Bengal, India, though some part of the forest got damaged in the cyclone, named AILA, which hit the Sundarban & the coastal area of the "Bay Of Bengal" in 25.5.2009 . It's the largest delta in India (one of the largest delta in the world as well) formed by the three rivers of Ganges, Brahmaputra & Meghna, and the meeting place of the salty sea-water & sweet river-water. The mangrove forest had got its name from the 'Sundari"(Heritiera Minor) trees.

We planned to visit the forest in the spring of March, during the "Holi" season, and we contacted "West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Limited (WBTDC)" to avail one of their tour packages which might fit into our time. According to the schedule, the bus ( an A.C. Volvo service) took us, along with other tourists, from B.B.D. Bag bus terminus and drove to "Sonakhali" from where we had to take a motor boat, arranged by the WBTDC, to get into the steamer "M. V. Chitrarekha" which would take us to cruise trip through Sundarban.The vessel started from "Sonakhali" and cruised through the spider-nets of canals & rivers in that region to reach "Sajnekhali" watch tower. It was one of the well known watch tower in the forest. There was a tourist's lodge, run by West Bengal Tourism Dept., where one could stay & enjoy the beauty of the mother nature. Sajnekhali was also famous for its bird sanctuary.

Our next stop was "Sudhanyakhali" watch tower. The jungle was not so deep here, and, it was the mid-day with the sun was over our head, so we couldn't see a single wildlife there. We took our lunch on-board & decided to call it a day.

Next day early in the morning, our vessel cruised through the canals in the forest of Sundarban to reach the watch tower in "Jhingakhali". The water was turbulent there as it was the full moon day, and the small motor boat used to carry the tourists ashore jerked & bounced several times in the rough water. Jhingakhali watch tower was the place we hoped to see the glimpse of the Royal Bengal Tiger, but in vain.
Near Jhingakhali watch tower, there was a temple dedicated to "Bon-Bibi(the Goddess of the Forest) After returning from Jhingakhali watch tower, we headed toward "Burirdabri" watch tower.

There was a temple dedicated to "Bonbibi" (Goddess of the Jungle), where the "honey-collectors" & fishermen used to offer prayer to the Goddess to save them from the wrath of the king of jungle "Royal Bengal Tiger". After returning from Burirdabri our vessel anchored near Sajnekhali, thus the trip for the 2nd day came to an end.

The next day our motor vessel cruised toward "Netidhopani" watch tower, which had its own mystic beauty of the forests. There were a 400yrs old ruins that added mystery to the surrounding. Since Dobaki, famous for its deer project, was out of our travel path, we had to move toward Netidhopani. We were lucky to see a pair of "Brahminy Kite" & "Bald-Headed Stork" It was great to have such an experience seeing the Stork flying before us & heading toward deep of the forest.

Best Time to visit:: Best time to visit is between mid November and end February, although the National Park remains open from September to March, as the possiblity of watching the Royal Bengal Tiger sun-bathing in the river banks remains high in the winter. This is also the best time to watch different kinds of migratory birds.

How to reach:: by air: Dum Dum Airport-Kolkata is the nearest airport, situated at a distance of 112 kms from Sundarban National Park.

by rail: The nearest rail station is Canning, 48 kms away from Sundarban National Park. From Sealdah station (South Section) suburban trains are available to Canning, from there one can reach Sajnekhali Tourist Lodge. From Canning road transport to Namkhana, Raidighi, Sonakhali, Najat from where motor launch services are available for Sundarban.

by road: Excellent road network connects Kolkata to Namkhana, Sonakhali, Raidighi, Canning, Najat all lying nearby Sundarban National Park.

Cruises:: Cruise service is conducted by "WBTDC" which starts from Sonakhali with different packages (1N/2D or 2N/3D or 3N/4D). Tourists can avail these services suitable to their tour plan. There are lots of private run cruise services available in the region, one can choose between those. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner will be served in the moving vessel which are of very good quality. The cost of the private cruise arrangement may vary with time, so it is suggested to check before the commencement of the tour.

West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Limited (WBTDC):: Contacted tours are arranged by WBTDC with flexible tour packages. Contact address:: TOURISM CENTRE, 3/2 B. B. D. BAG(EAST), KOLKATA-700001. Or log on to: http://www.westbengaltourism.gov.in/