ABOUT SUNDERBANS

Located in 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, the park derives its name from sundari tree. Sunderbans form a part of largest delta formed by Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna. It was declared as a tiger reserve in 1973 and a national park in 1984.This area mainly consists of mangrove forests. The core area of the park has its own natural boundaries with the river Matla on its West, the river Haribhanga on its East, with Netidhopani and Gosba in the North. In total there are seven main rivers that form a network of channels in the park. The ecogeography of this area is totally dependent on tidal effect of tow flow tides and two ebb tides inundating the whole area. The tidal action deposits silts on the channels forming new islands and creeks and contributing to uncertain geomorphology.

The only way to travel through the park is by boat through various water lanes formed by rivers. Animals found here include Estuarine Crocodile Fishing Cat Common otter, Water Monitor lizard Gangetic Dolphin Snubfin dolphin, River Terrapin, marine turtles like Olive Ridley Green Sea Turtle Hawksbill Turtle, Wild boars, Spotted deer, Porcupines and Rhesus macaque. Among the reptiles found here are the King cobra, the common cobra, Banded krait, Russells Viper Python, Chequered Kil-Back, Dhaman , Green Whip Snake. There are about 248 bird species found in Sunderban national park including a large number of migratory birds from higher latitudes that visits the park in winter months Herons, Egrets, Cormorants, Storks, Green Pigeons, Sand Pipers, Large and Small Spoonbills, Darters, Seagulls, Teal, Partridges, great variety of Wild Geese and Ducks.

WHEN TO GO ?

Best time to visit the park is from October to March.