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Sundarban tour

7 Common Misconceptions About Sundarban Tours

Who doesn’t know about the Sundarbans? We have all done a school project about it or at least researched about it when planning a vacation there.

But most of us know a variety of facts about the Sundarbans that is partly true and partly fictitious.

So, are you ready to explore the Jungle in all its glory?

So, what’s the truth? What’s the fact? Want to know the reality behind the myth?

Then, read on to find out…

Myth 1: Sundarbans Is Famous For The Sundari Tree:

Yes, the Sundarbans are named after the Sundari trees but no that is not what they are famous for. The Sundarbans are famous for their vast networks of mangrove forests that like Medusa’s hair create an intertwined ropeway of foliage that is not only tough to break out of but is also the perfect haven for animals. These mangroves are not only regarded as India’s crowning glory but are considered to be the greatest and largest mangrove forest in the entire world. UNESCO has listed the Sundarbans as a World Heritage site and it is an ecological hotspot for Nature lovers to embark on a journey of a lifetime. Thus, booking a Sundarban tour package to see the wonders of the mangroves treasures is a must for all.

Myth 2: Sundarbans Are Made Of 54 Islands:

The Sundarbans are actually made up of 102 islands - and is second to Venice in the largest collection of islands in one location. Out of these 102 islands, only 54 are inhabited by people. All the other islands are part of the national park kept preserving the ecological biodiversity of the islands. Covering an area of over 10,000 sq km - these islands are the perfect ecological structure to ensure that there is a perfect balance between the newly inducted and near-extinction wildlife found in this part of the world. So, take a tour package from Kolkata to see the magnificence of the Sundarbans up close and personal before these mesmerizing islands disappear into the sea.

Myth 3: Sundarbans Are Drained By Ganga And Brahmaputra:

Yes, the Sundarbans are drained by the Ganga and the Brahmaputra but no these are not the only rivers to help build the richness of this area. The Sundarbans are drained by different rivers, estuaries, rivulets, tributaries, and distributaries. Rivers like the Padma, the Meghna, and the Hooghly meander through the Sundarbans finally draining into the Bay of Bengal. Thanks to these and many more such rivulets draining the region - the Sundarbans are a luscious and dense treasure trove that allows the expansion of the flora and fauna. These rivers and rivulets form waterways for people to access the parks and are the best ways to reach the Sundarbans.

Myth 4: Tiger’s Are The Only Endangered Species Found In The Sundarbans:

We often believe that it is only the Royal Bengal Tiger that is endangered and that is found in the Sundarbans. But this is not true. Yes, the Bengal Tiger is found in the Sundarbans and yes they are endangered but No, they are not the only animal found here that is on the verge of extinction. The Sundarbans are a treasure trove that protects the delicate ecological balance by creating an envelope over its defenseless creatures. The Pangolin and the King Cobra are some of the highly endangered creatures that are found in the Sundarbans. Both are on the endangered species list and they are only a few hundred of them left all over the world. The pangolin is hunted for their hard exterior shell and is killed for their meat while the King Cobra is killed more out of fear than out of need.

Myth 5: The Olive Ridley Turtles Are Native To This Region:

The Olive Ridley Turtles are found in this region yes, but not because they are native to this region - they are found because these mangrove forests are optimum places for nesting. The Olive Ridley Turtles travel for miles on end to come to the Sundarbans to lay their eggs. The Sundarbans provide optimum temperature, weather, and nesting conditions in order for the female ridley turtles to lay from a 50 - 80 eggs. After incubation of 45-65 days, the hatchlings emerge from the soil and scurry towards the water. They swim out to the sea and again the whole process of migration - gestation - hatching takes places a few years later.

Myth 6: The Horseshoe Crab Is Part Of The Crab Family:

If you look at a horseshoe crab up close and personal, you are sure to get goosebumps because of their alien-like looks but these Predator type creatures are nothing short of little miracle workers. These little aliens have a large role to play in helping humans in the manufacture of drugs, vaccines, and medicines. The horseshoe crab also has another trick up their sleeve - they have not evolved over 450 million years. Just think these little creatures have been around since the dinosaurs and in fact, they have not evolved from the crustaceans they were in that time period. But the most intriguing fact about them is that they actually do not belong to the crab family - they are part of the arthropods family and are of the order Xiphosura.

Myth 7: The Greatest Predator In These Parts Are The Tiger:

The largest predators in the Sundarbans are most definitely the Royal Bengal Tiger but the greatest predator in these parts are actually the Saltwater Crocodiles. Considered to be the meanest and most vicious of all reptiles in the reptilia family - these saltwater crocodiles have the bite power enough to pierce bone. These predators are not only vicious but are also cunning - they not only hunt for their prey near watering holes but sneak up on their unsuspecting prey when they least expect it. The crocodiles often camouflage themselves as drifting logs of wood or tree bark and float towards the unsuspecting animals. And when the animal gets close enough - with a snap of its powerful jaws - lunch is served.

Myth 1: Sundarbans Is Famous For The Sundari Tree:

Yes, the Sundarbans are named after the Sundari trees but no that is not what they are famous for. The Sundarbans are famous for their vast networks of mangrove forests that like Medusa’s hair create an intertwined ropeway of foliage that is not only tough to break out of but is also the perfect haven for animals. These mangroves are not only regarded as India’s crowning glory but are considered to be the greatest and largest mangrove forest in the entire world. UNESCO has listed the Sundarbans as a World Heritage site and it is an ecological hotspot for Nature lovers to embark on a journey of a lifetime. Thus, booking a Sundarban tour package to see the wonders of the mangroves treasures is a must for all.

Myth 2: Sundarbans Are Made Of 54 Islands:

The Sundarbans are actually made up of 102 islands - and is second to Venice in the largest collection of islands in one location. Out of these 102 islands, only 54 are inhabited by people. All the other islands are part of the national park kept preserving the ecological biodiversity of the islands. Covering an area of over 10,000 sq km - these islands are the perfect ecological structure to ensure that there is a perfect balance between the newly inducted and near-extinction wildlife found in this part of the world. So, take a tour package from Kolkata to see the magnificence of the Sundarbans up close and personal before these mesmerizing islands disappear into the sea.

Myth 3: Sundarbans Are Drained By Ganga And Brahmaputra:

Yes, the Sundarbans are drained by the Ganga and the Brahmaputra but no these are not the only rivers to help build the richness of this area. The Sundarbans are drained by different rivers, estuaries, rivulets, tributaries, and distributaries. Rivers like the Padma, the Meghna, and the Hooghly meander through the Sundarbans finally draining into the Bay of Bengal. Thanks to these and many more such rivulets draining the region - the Sundarbans are a luscious and dense treasure trove that allows the expansion of the flora and fauna. These rivers and rivulets form waterways for people to access the parks and are the best ways to reach the Sundarbans.

Myth 4: Tiger’s Are The Only Endangered Species Found In The Sundarbans:

We often believe that it is only the Royal Bengal Tiger that is endangered and that is found in the Sundarbans. But this is not true. Yes, the Bengal Tiger is found in the Sundarbans and yes they are endangered but No, they are not the only animal found here that is on the verge of extinction. The Sundarbans are a treasure trove that protects the delicate ecological balance by creating an envelope over its defenseless creatures. The Pangolin and the King Cobra are some of the highly endangered creatures that are found in the Sundarbans. Both are on the endangered species list and they are only a few hundred of them left all over the world. The pangolin is hunted for their hard exterior shell and is killed for their meat while the King Cobra is killed more out of fear than out of need.

Myth 5: The Olive Ridley Turtles Are Native To This Region:

The Olive Ridley Turtles are found in this region yes, but not because they are native to this region - they are found because these mangrove forests are optimum places for nesting. The Olive Ridley Turtles travel for miles on end to come to the Sundarbans to lay their eggs. The Sundarbans provide optimum temperature, weather, and nesting conditions in order for the female ridley turtles to lay from a 50 - 80 eggs. After incubation of 45-65 days, the hatchlings emerge from the soil and scurry towards the water. They swim out to the sea and again the whole process of migration - gestation - hatching takes places a few years later.

Myth 6: The Horseshoe Crab Is Part Of The Crab Family:

If you look at a horseshoe crab up close and personal, you are sure to get goosebumps because of their alien-like looks but these Predator type creatures are nothing short of little miracle workers. These little aliens have a large role to play in helping humans in the manufacture of drugs, vaccines, and medicines. The horseshoe crab also has another trick up their sleeve - they have not evolved over 450 million years. Just think these little creatures have been around since the dinosaurs and in fact, they have not evolved from the crustaceans they were in that time period. But the most intriguing fact about them is that they actually do not belong to the crab family - they are part of the arthropods family and are of the order Xiphosura.

Myth 7: The Greatest Predator In These Parts Are The Tiger:

The largest predators in the Sundarbans are most definitely the Royal Bengal Tiger but the greatest predator in these parts are actually the Saltwater Crocodiles. Considered to be the meanest and most vicious of all reptiles in the reptilia family - these saltwater crocodiles have the bite power enough to pierce bone. These predators are not only vicious but are also cunning - they not only hunt for their prey near watering holes but sneak up on their unsuspecting prey when they least expect it. The crocodiles often camouflage themselves as drifting logs of wood or tree bark and float towards the unsuspecting animals. And when the animal gets close enough - with a snap of its powerful jaws - lunch is served.

When booking a Sundarban tour package from Kolkata, remember there are more things to see in the wilderness of the mangrove forests than just the Royal Bengal Tiger and the rivers.

Look for adventure and in every corner, you will find one.