A land shrouded by an enigmatic veil - the Sundarbans is Mother Nature’s Pandora Box. Join the Wild Sundarban Tour to experience your own Kumbaya Moment. The swampy island is a UNESCO World Heritage Listed Site and one of the largest mangrove forests. It is also one of the 28 finalists contending for the coveted ‘7 Wonders of the Natural World’ Title.
Covering over an area of 10,000 sq km between two tumultuous nations - the Sundarbans is not only a border but also a bridge between the two nations - India and Bangladesh - it unites them in the conservation and preservation of the majestic swampy island. If you're traveling to India then you can visit Sundarbans en route Kolkata - either via a train ride, bus or car drive.
The Sundarbans might be named after the ‘Sundari’ trees - found in abundance in the region but it is renowned for its largest wild inhabitants - the Royal Bengal Tigers. These majestic beasts roam freely throughout the impenetrable forests - liken to a true King of the Mangrove Forests. However, they are currently on the verge of extinction. Sundarbans authorities and the natives are striving to help save the tigers.
A land shrouded by mystery and intrigue - the Sundarbans is Nature’s own mystery box - waiting to be explored. A UNESCO World Heritage Listed Site, the Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world and is one of the 28 finalists contending for the coveted ‘7 Wonders of the Natural World’ Title.
Covering over an area of 10,000 sq km between two tumultuous nations - the Sundarbans is not only a border but also a bridge between the two nations - India and Bangladesh - it unites them in the conservation and preservation of the majestic swampy island.
The Sundarbans might be named after the ‘Sundari’ trees - found in abundance in the region but it is renowned for its largest wild inhabitants - the Royal Bengal Tigers. These majestic beasts roam freely throughout the impenetrable forests - liken to a true King of the Mangrove Forests. However, they are currently on the verge of extinction. Sundarbans authorities and the natives are striving to help save the tigers.
A Sundarban tour is a must in every family bucket list – be it from Kolkata or any part of India. If you’re planning a Sundarban trip then read to learn about the: Top 10 Things To Do On A Sundarban Tour
Gangetic dolphins or Sushuk as they are called are found in the Sundarbans on a regular basis. These creatures aren’t afraid to get up close and personal with the boats that travel up and down the Sundarban channels.
In certain times these beautiful creatures can be seen skipping and jumping around the boats and putting on a little show for the tourists – as if dancing to welcome everyone to their home!
The saltwater crocodiles are considered to be the fiercest of all the reptiles in the world – with razor sharp teeth and a tail with immense power – it is something to behold. Watching these reptiles bask in the morning sun on the shores of the Sundarban Islands is magical. But don’t be fooled by their languishing nature – one bite of theirs packs enough punch to rip off an arm or a leg.
These creatures are not only ferocious but also cunning. They wait on the banks of rivers with just their eyes protruding out of the water and wait for a deer or a monkey to come to drink – and with one swift move – its lunch.
The Sundarbans are a meeting point – where life and death merge. In one part where death is inevitable in the same way, life comes in the smallest of ways.
If you tour the Sundarbans during the monsoon season in a Sundarban Houseboat, you have the most amazing opportunity to see the mass hatching of the Olive Ridley turtles or the Hawksbill turtle in the Sundarban National Park.
Wouldn’t it be amazing to help these endangered hatchlings find their way down to the rivers without being eaten by birds or crocodiles?
Imagine the happiness when you know that you and your family have helped not only protect but also nurture a diminishing ecosystem.
There are over 200 birds that call the Sundarban Delta their home. Birds such as ospreys, sparrows, and storks are found in abundance here. But for avid birdwatchers, the Sundarban tours are a perfect way to experience the magnanimity of the bird population.
During the winter months, Herons, Egrets, Cormorants, Seagulls, Partridges, and Darters visit the Sundarban Delta.
Imagine, cruising down the delta in a rustic Sundarban Houseboat while watching these beautiful winged creatures spread their wings and take to the skies under the setting sun.
While on a Sundarban boat tour we often look to the skies or to the water for a sight of birds or crocodiles – we even look to the distant shores in search of those flashes of orange and black stripes – but we miss the little crustaceans that are right beneath our feet!
The Sundarban reserve is home to the Horseshoe Crab which has not evolved over 450 million years. Just think – these little crustaceans have been around since the time of the Dinosaurs.
Be on the lookout for the Horseshoe Crabs – they hold not only touristic value but also play a major part in the manufacture of drugs, medicines, and vaccines in our healthcare system.
Mention a Komodo Dragon in a group of people and you will get some reactions but mention the Indian monitor lizards – you will get a big question mark.
In reality – the Indian Monitor Lizards – found in the Sundarbans – are actually bigger in size than the Komodo dragon. But they are not poisonous as their Indonesian brothers. In fact, they have no poison at all and are probably more scared of us than we should be of them.
These reptiles call the Sundarbans their home and are actually on the endangered species list as they are hunted for their meat, skin and even as pets.
Visit the Sundarban Forest Reserve and try looking for these reptiles in their natural habitat but be careful – hurting any of them will give you a one-way ticket to jail.
Deer also called Chital are found in the Sundarbans Delta region. They live off of leaves and fruits and are very timid creatures. Seeing a deer is just as difficult as seeing a tiger because they have an acute hearing – after all they have to run away from the tiger.
But spotting a deer in their natural habitat is considered to be very lucky as these serene and timid creatures are considered to be the reincarnated form of Lord Buddha.
The Sundarban delta is made up of over 102 islands of which only 40% are inhabited – these little villages are home to a large population of people who depend not only on the forest for their livelihood but also tourists who go on Sundarban boat tours.
The Sundarban tour package provided by travel agents and Sundarban Houseboats make it a point to allow tourists to visit these villages. Go on a tour of a village and see the difficult lives they lead – see the issues they face and how through all the hardships and all the difficulties – how these people are resilient and come out even strong through adversity!
Certain Sundarban tour packages from Kolkata offer tourists the chance to experience the local culture. Come, witness the local dramas of Bonbibi and Dakshin Rai or join in the dance with the locals. You can even watch certain videos and cinemas in regard to the Sundarbans if provided by the tourism company.
If you take the Sundarban Houseboat, the local dance troops come onto the boat and you can have a lovely time without actually having to get off the boat. You can also watch a few videos in regard to the sighting of Tigers and the local fauna and flora of the Sundarbans.
When booking a Sundarban forest tour, we all do so with one ray of hope in our hearts – if by chance we see a Royal Bengal Tiger.
So why not take up a camera on your visit and capture all the flora and fauna you see? Why not try and capture all the beauty of nature to revisit with every picture?
Take photographs of Nature in the Sundarbans and you never know you might just capture a glimpse of an endangered bird or reptile – and you never know you might just catch that famous orange and black stripes you were actually hoping for!
