Sunderbans National Park

Area: 1,330sq km
Status: World Heritage Site & Biosphere Reserve
Established: 1984
Nearest Airport: Dum Dum Airport (Calcutta) 166km
Nearest Railhead: Canning 105km
Best Time to Visit: November to February

About Sunderbans National Park
Sunderbans is a misnomer of the word “beautiful forest”, it actually has derived its name from the Sunderi tree which is the native to this estuarine mangrove delta.

A Unesco World Heritage Site, Sunderbans National Park in India is one of the world's largest deltas and the mangrove forest formed by the confluence of three rivers- the Ganga, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna- covering an area of 2,585 sq km wildlife sanctuary, which extends into Bangladesh too.

Flora in Sunderbans National Park

Tiger, Sunderbans National Park

In April and May, the flaming red leaves of the Genwa bejewel the emerald islands. The other dominant floral species in the Sunderbans are crab like red flowers of the Kankara and the yellow blooms of Khalsi. As you go deeper into the Sunderbans forests, you discover the mystique beauty. The large floral population in Sunderbans consists of trees like Genwa, Dhundal, Passur, Garjan and Kankara. Apart from these trees, the tall and wide Goran trees cover almost the entire region.
Wildlife in Sunderbans National Park
The Sunderbans forest houses Royal Bengal Tigers in plenty. At the Sunderbans you are elated to watch Chital Deer and Rhesus Monkey. The aqua fauna in the park include variety of fishes, red Fiddler Crabs and Hermit Crabs.
There are crocodiles, which can be often seen along the mud banks. Sunderbans national park is also noted for its conservation of the Ridley Sea Turtle. There's is a incredible variety of reptiles also found in Sunderbans, which includes King Cobra, Rock Python and Water Monitor. The endangered river Terrapin, Batagur Baska is found on the Mechua Beach, while the Barkind Deer is found only in Holiday Island in Sunderbans.

Other Attractions In Sunderbans
The Sajnakhali Sanctuary :The Sajnakhali sanctuary, famous for its rich avian population, is regarded as a part of the Sunderbans National Park. The kingdom of birds at Sajnekhati enchants your eyes. The most sought after sights by a bird watcher are seven colourful species of Kingfisher, white bellied Sea Eagle, Plovers, Lap-Wings, Curfews, Whimbrels, Sandpipers and occasional Pelican.

Spotted Deer, Sunderbans National Park

Netidhopani : At Netidhopani, the ruins of a 400 year old temple and legends lend mystery to the atmosphere.

Bhagabatpur : Bhagabatpur is famous for having a hatchery of the largest estuarine crocodiles in the world.

Kanak : Kanak is the nesting place of the Olive Ridley Turtles.

Haliday Island : Haliday island is famous as last retrest of Barking Dear in India.

Piyali : Piyali is the gatway to Sunderbans, 72-kms from Kolkatta by road and close to Sajnekhali, Sudhanyakhali, Netidhopani through waterways. A small river Piyali flows through the green paddy fields and mingles with river Matla. Picturesque Piyali delta makes an ideal romantic holiday destination. A beautiful tourist complex with accommodation and recreation facilities is also situated over here.

Kaikhali :
On your way to Sunderbans you cannot afford to miss Kaikhali Island, where nature is so alive and so colourful. An ideal picnic spot.

Best Time to Visit Sunderbans National Park
The ideal time to visit the Sunderbans national park is during the months of September and May. Winter make the time to see the mighty Royal Bengal Tiger sun-bathing on the river banks.

Pangolin, sunderbans National Park

How to Get there
Air : The nearest airport is Kolkatta, at 112-kms.

Rail : Canning is nearest railhead, at a distance of 48-kms.

Road : Road transportation is available from Kolkatta for Namkhana (105-kms), Sonakhali (100-kms), Raidighi (76-kms), Canning (64-kms), and Najat (92-kms), which are all near the Sunderbans and have access to the riverine waterways leading to it.