The Sundarbans, a part of the largest delta formed by the rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna, is famous for halophytic mangrove forest and also the Royal Bengal Tiger. The soil of the delta is very much fertile and is being used by the local inhabitants for producing food for a prolonged period of time. The meaning of the name ‘Sundarbans’ is ‘beautiful Jungle’ in Bengali language. There is many a view regarding how the place got its name. The most accepted among them is the name of this place is derived from the Sundari trees abound in the area.
Sundarbans, the largest estuarine forest is situated at the feet of West Bengal and stretches beyond the boundary of India and penetrates through Bangladesh. To the south the forest kisses the feet of the Bay of Bengal and to the left meets the river Baleswar. 4000Km. of the total coverage of 10000Km. of this dense forest belongs to India. The place was declared as the UNESCO world heritage site in the year 1997. The place is dotted with several tidal channels and 56 islands of impregnable mangrove forest. It also plays an important role in protecting million of human lives in and around Kolkata acting as a barrier against the disastrous flood resulting from the cyclonic activity. The place has also earned its fame as an abode of the world-famous Royal Bengal tiger. The murmuring of saline water flowing through the channels, the long stretches of thick forest on both the sides is very much alluring for the adventure-sniffing buffs.
The journey from Kolkata to Sundarbans does not require a long time and the travelers can get at there with a combination of road and water transportation. Once set their feet there, the travelers can enjoy the adventures to the fullest by hiring motorized boats of a variety of shapes and sizes. The travelers can also enjoy the beauty of the sprawling greens on both the banks of the meandering straits.
The extensive landscape of the place is dominated by several floras and faunas. Along with the Bengal tigers, the place is also a secured hub of crocodiles, sharks and poisonous snakes. The place has been contributing a lot to maintaining the ecological balance by providing a safe canopy of shelter to many wild species. The greed of the poachers, laxity in night vigils and constant destruction of forest by the locals for subsistence are collaboratively attributing to the endangerment of the wild lives of this place. Several stringent measures have been taken to protect the enriched wild habitat by the government of India and still the proper implementation of laws and rigorous punishment for the culprits must be adopted to put a stop to the decline of the several species in this arena.
The place is also ideal for the enthusiastic bird-watchers. A consortium of a incredible variety of Water-hens, Spotted doves, Jungle-crows, Jungle Babblers, Green Pigeons, Night Herons, Pariah-Kites, Seagulls, Golden Plovers are to name a few among so many Avifauna. Among the aqua fauna, red fiddler crabs, hermit crabs, a great variety of fishes and of course crocodiles can be spotted.
Many a poisonous snake such as King Cobra, Rock Python, and Water Monitor is not a rarity in a place dominated by a large network of waterways. The roaring of tigers and cacophony of creatures breaking the silence and jerking you out of the slumber even at midnight softly whisper that the place is yet to call it a night.
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