Location - West Bengal
Best Time To Visit - September to March
The Sunderbans National Park is a land of rare flora and fauna, located in
the state of West Bengal. The Sunderbans is the world's largest delta formed
by the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghana river. All those who are really
wildlife lovers and are dying to have a glimpse at the Royal Bengal Tiger
are most welcomed in the premises of the Sunderbans National Park. The park
is a great hub for hunters, honey collectors and fishermen. The park covers
an area of 1330.10 sq.km and is the largest mangrove forest in the world.
The Sunderban region has got its name from the Sundari trees, which used to
be in abundance here.
The
Sunderbans National Park is home to 400 tigers. The condition in the park is
very apt for the stay of Royal Bengal Tigers. Apart from Royal Bengal
Tigers, the park is a home to several other species.
Sunderbans National Park is also noted for its conservation of the Ridley
Sea Turtle. Incredible variety of reptiles are also found in the park
including Cobra, rock python and water monitor.
Flora of Sunderbans
An entire different world of beauty awaits your arrival in Sunderbans. The
park is a home to a wide variety of flowers. In the month of April and May,
the flaming red leaves of the Geneva, edge the emerald islands. One can also
find the crab like red flowers of the Kankara and the yellow blooms of
Khalsi add to the dazzling display. These all add to the beauty overall
beauty of the Sunderbans National Park.
The Avifauna
In the park you can come across a large variety of resident as well as
foreign birds. Some of them are: Billed Storks, White Ibis, Water Hens,
Coots, Pheasant Tailed Jacanas, Pariah Kites, Brahminy Kites, Marsh
Harriers, Swamp Pastridges, Red Jungle Fowls, Spotted Doves, Common Mynahs,
Jungle crows, Herring Gulls, Caspian Terns, Green pigions, Large Egrets,
Woodpeckers and Common Kingfishers are certain variety of avi fauna.
The Aqua fauna & The Reptiles
Saw Fish, Butter Fish, Electric Rays, Silver Carp, Star Fish, Common Carp,
Crabs, Prawn, Shrimps, Gangetic dolphins, Skipping Frogs, Common Toads and
Tree Frogs are some of the fishes and amphibians that are found in the
Sunderbans Park. Disparate reptiles like Olive Ridley Turtles, Sea Snakes,
Dog Faced Water Snakes, Green Turtles, Estuarine Crocodiles, Chameleons,
King Cobras, Salvator Lizards, Hard Shelled Batgun Terrapins, Russels
Vipers, Mouse Ghekos, Monitor Lizards, Curviers, Hawks Bill Turtles,
Pythons, Common Kraits, Chequered Killbacks and rat Snakes are found in
large numbers in the park.
Feather to the cap
In the year 1995, the Sunderbans National Park was inscribed in the UNESCO
World Heritage List.
