This was a trip planned well in advance. But unlike every other time, it was going to be a little different. Used to traveling as Travelwisesr couple all these years, this was a rare opportunity for my better half. Because it was going to be her first exposure to the happiness and madness when BITS Pilani friends get together. All the stories she had heard all these decades were expected to be live during our holiday of 2 Nights 3 Days in Sundarbans. So did she enjoy it? Come let’s find out.

Sundarban National Park – A fact sheet

• Sundarban an UNESCO World Heritage site is the world’s largest coastal mangrove forest. It is spread over approx. 9,630 sq.km of which 4,264 sq.km. is forest area.
• Of the total area 4,000 sq.km lies in the Indian side and 5,630 on the Bangladesh side.
• The Indian side has 102 islands of which 54 are inhabited.
• The main earning source for residents are fishing & honey collection in the divisional forest. And other businesses that are tourism oriented. The only cultivation here is Paddy.
• The “Tiger Project” for tiger conservation is pursued by Central Forest Department with active participation by villagers.
• A part of the proceeds from tour operators permission are diverted by forest department for social welfare programs. Support in poultry farming set up and social awareness to preserve Sundarban forest through educating students are some of the initiatives.
• During the 2 high tides ever day water levels reach up to 10 ft higher than during the low tide making the entire forest area wet. Therefore no land safari is possible here unlike other Indian national parks.

• The mammals of Sundarban are all adept at swimming. This is to ensure their own survival and fight the tough weather conditions.
• Drinking the saline water of the Delta has an effect thereby reducing the lifespan of all land mammals.
• Fresh water ponds have been created to help them survive longer.
• There are 84 varieties of Mangrove trees in Sundarban.
• The name comes from the ‘Sundari’ variety which exists more in Bangladesh side as water there is less saline being connected with Padma river.
• Tourism in Sundarban started in 1982 when people could go all around the creeks, river and forests. But now there is only 362 sq.km allotted towards Wildlife Sanctuary for the purpose of tourism out of 2,585 sq.km. Tiger Reserve area.

Sundarban Royal Bengal Tiger

• All tigers in India are Bengal tigers but the ones found in Sundarban are known as ‘Royal Bengal Tiger’. That’s because they are much more stronger than the other tiger varieties having to fight difficult climate conditions.
• Due to intake of saline water their blood pressure is found to be higher than the other varieties leading to being more aggressive.
• They are anywhere between 150-180 kgs while the other varieties are between 200-240 kgs.
• They are around 10-12 ft in length and also shorter in height leading to being more agile.
• The tigers make their own demarcated territories by spreading urine. Each island has one male and three females with again their own demarcated territories.
• There are an estimated 131 tigers in Sundarban as per last census.

Other Land Mammals

Apart from spotted deer, Sandarban has wild boar, leopard cat, fishing cat and jungle cat. Also Resus Macaque, asian palm civet, asian small clawed otter and fulvous fruit bat in plenty.

Water Mammals

In addition to crocodile you also get to see dolphins and sharks while exploring in Sundarban. And of course the variety of fishes, prawns and crabs that are fished out everyday.

Sundarban Birds

Although there are many varieties of birds that you find in Sundarban, here are the some of the important ones. Great egret, little egret, eurasian curfew, lesser adjutant stock, white bellied sea eagle and small minivat. Also mangrove whistler, goliath heron, oriental darter, crested serpeant eagle, red jungle fowl and more.

Mangroves of Sundarban

The other mangrove plants found in Sundarban are kripa, peyara bain, garjan, kankra, habli, gnewa, dhudul and passur.

Our holiday

The bus journey from Kolkata

The Tea Break

And we reach Godkhali

Board our boat & settle down

As we set out to explore

It was time for lunch

Lunch and dinner was cooked on the boat on all three days that we were there in Sundarban. While our lunch was served on the boat, morning tea, breakfast, evening tea, snacks and dinner was served in the hotel where we had been put up. Very tasty Bengali meals prepared with fresh vegetables, cottage cheese, chicken, prawns and mutton.

And throughout the day they spoiled us with tea, coffee, sweets and fruits. It was truly wonderful hospitality from our tour operator.

And next the Bird Sanctuary

Now get a real feel

Before heading back to our hotel

Watching this beautiful sunset

And soon reached there

A Santhal Song & Dance performance

Suranjana Resort

Sundarban Wildlife Sanctuary Safari

Panchmukhi Point is where tributaries of five rivers meet – Padma, Megha, Bhairab, Madhumati and Hubli and we loved being around this vantage point.

Experience a bit of the safari here

We then reach Dobanki Camp

Our next stop, Sudhanyakhali Camp

Sundarban Landmarks

Gosaba Market

Beacon Bunglow

On the banks of River Vidyadhari, Sir Hamilton constructed a single storey bungalow in 1903. Now known as Beacon Bungalow it was built on solid wooden stilts and is an architectural delight. Noble laureate Rabindranath Tagore visited Gosaba in 1932 to understand the development model initiated by Sir Hamilton in the Sundarban region and stayed with him for 2 days.

Hamilton Bungalow

Our journey back

The Men who mattered

And this young boy

Barely out of his teens, Subir Maity who was in charge of managing our group was truly a delight to have around. With this everlasting smile on his face and fluency in four languages, he impressed us with his hard work, commitment and his focus on making us happy at all times. Loved by all of us we wish him a lot of success and do personally believe he will go places in life.

The surprise elements

Fun, Frolic & Friends

Being together

Better halves together

Singing together

Endless lachchas

In high spirits together

And unforgettable moments the Titanic way

So did she enjoy it?

Well I guess it’s anybody’s guess. Do you too wish to be happy with your family or friends together? Then look no further. Connect with us.

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