Sunderbans National Park, India

Facts & Figure

Area : 1330 Sq. Km
Altitude : 0m to 10 m
Temperature Range : 42°C to 9.2°C
Best time to Visit : October to March

About Sunderbans National Park

The word "Sunderban" is derived from sundari and ban, which, when combined, means "the forests of sundari"-an obvious reference to the large mangrove trees.

The 1,330 sq km area of Sunderbans was established as a National Park on May 4, 1984. The Sunderbans had earlier been designated as a Tiger Reserve in December 1973. After this, a wildlife sanctuary was created in 1977.

The word "Sunderban" is derived from sundari and ban, which, when combined, means "the forests of sundari"-an obvious reference to the large mangrove trees.

The 1,330 sq km area of Sunderbans was established as a National Park on May 4, 1984. The Sunderbans had earlier been designated as a Tiger Reserve in December 1973. After this, a wildlife sanctuary was created in 1977.

Attractions at Sunderbans National Park

Tigers : Sunderbans is the largest estuarine delta in the world and the biggest colony of the Royal Bengal Tiger. These evergreen mangrove forests pulsate with myriad forms of life, which hide during high tide and the ebbing tide reveals them on the glistening mud flats. The land is split by numerous rivers and water channels all emptying into the Bay of Bengal. It is believed that Bonbibi, the goddess of the forest, protects the woodcutters, honey-collectors and fishermen on their hazardous missions through the forest. For, as the local saying goes, `here the tiger is always watching you'.

Reptiles : The Sunderbans provide important habitat for a variety of reptiles including river terrapin (Batagur baska E), Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea E), estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus E), monitor lizard (Varanus flavescens), water monitor (Varanus salvator) and Indian python (Python molurus V). The only species of turtle known to nest in the Sunderbans is the Olive Ridley but hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) has also been caught in fishermen's nets. The creeks are spawning grounds for some 90 species of fish, 48 species of crabs and a large variety of molluscs.

Avian Paradise : The Sajnekhali area contains a wealth of water birds, noteworthy residents including Asian openbill stork (Anastomus oscitans), black-necked stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus), greater adjutant stork (Leptoptilos dubius), white ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus), swamp francolin (Francolinus gularis), white-collared kingfisher (Halcyon chloris), black-capped kingfisher (Halcyon pileata) and brown-winged kingfisher (Pelargopsis amauroptera).

Safaris : The best time to visit Sunderbans is during the winters, between September and March. There are regular bus services from Calcutta. But the main areas of the sanctuary can only be accessed by riverine waterways. The best and the safest way to visit Sunderbans is on conducted tours. One can also avail the services of the private vessels from Canning, Gosaba or Basanti.

Other Attractions at Sunderbans National Park

The Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project is a crocodile-breeding farm. Tours are organized by the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDC). This place is accessible through Namkhana. The West Bengal Tourism Department organizes conducted tours to the Sunderbans by their motor launches. Bhagabatpur is a hatchery for the largest estuarine crocodile in the world.

Access From Airport

Dum Dum is the nearest airport at Calcutta. Calcutta is connected by daily Indian Airlines flights from Delhi (7:00, 17:00 & 20:00), Mumbai (6:10 & 18:15) and Chennai (10:30 & 17:00). Bangalore is connected to Calcutta through a Jet Airways flight which operates everyday at 9:55.



Access From Railways

The nearest railhead is at Port Canning, 48 km away. The nearest town is Gosaba, 50 km away. Regular trains operate from Calcutta to Canning The train option is better avoided, instead take the road trip from Kolkata to Basanti or Sonakhali. Sunderbans is accessible only by riverine waterways. From Calcutta there are suburban trains to Canning and buses to Namkhana, Raidighi, Sonakhali and Najat from where motor launch services are available for Sunderbans.



Access From Roadways

Means of road transport are available from Calcutta for the places like Namkhana (105 km), Sonakhali (100 km), Raidighi (76 km), Canning (64 km), and Najat (92 km), which are all near the Sunderbans and have access to the riverine waterways leading to it. To reach from Kolkata, take the state highway to Baruipur via Rajpur. From here a district road leads to Basanti via Canning. A motorboat from here will take you to Sunderbans.

Travel Tips For Visiting the National Park

Follow the rules, for e.g., do not walk around if you are not permitted to do so

• Do not disturb the animals during day time as most of the nocturnal animals sleep during day time.

• Do not try to irritate the animals or make them angry by teasing them.

• Wear clothes in shades of brown and green as they are less disturbing to the environment.

• Avoid wearing perfumes and do not smoke in restricted areas.

• Animals are extremely weary of the human voice. Don’t make noise, don’t play music and please don’t honk car horn.

• Take official guides along with you on the park trip.

• Do not smoke inside the park.

• Picking of plants and insects is strictly prohibited.

• Wear loose fitting and simple clothes that blend with the park surroundings.

• For the safety of the visitors, walking and hiking within the vicinity of the park is not allowed.

• Camping and picnicking is not allowed within the park.

• Carry plenty of water along with you.

• Carry Personal medication and insect repellent.

• Carry Binoculars, Cameras, film rolls and Flashlight along with books and other reading material.

• Do not use flash or intrusive photography.

• Don’t leave behind any litter and plastic bags are big hazards for animals.

• Comfortable walking shoes are appropriate than the fashionable ones.

• For winter travel heavy woolens are a must especially for open jeep safaris. Cottons are apt for summer months.

• Rain Gear is essential for the monsoons and the last

• Find about the habits of the animal you want to see to avoid disappointment.

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