Spread over an area of 1330.10 sq km, Sunderban national park is an important part of the Project Tiger initiated by the government of India in the 70s. Located in 24 Paraganas district of West Bengal this park was declared as world heritage site in the year 1985. There are three wild life sanctuaries situated in the Sunderban area namely Sajnekhali, Lothian Island and Haliday Island. Major part of the Sunderban forest lies in Bangladesh area. This park was established in the year 1978.
Situated along the delta of two famous river Ganga and Brahmaputra, Sunderbans has estuarine mangrove eco-system. This area has the largest mangrove forest in the world and is home to world famous Royal Bengal Tiger. This park has large number of tiger population among all the tiger reserves of India. There are good number of man eater tigers as well who often attack local population. Besides tiger, other fauna found here are fishing cat, water monitor, wild boar, different species of deer, rhesus monkeys, large number of crocodiles and Gangetic dolphins and varied types of fish, olive Ridley sea turtles etc.
Main Attractions
Flora: Sunderban forest area is famous for the rich flora and fauna. There are around 64 different species of plant which are surviving estuarine conditions and saline inundation caused by the tidal effects from Bay of Bengal. Some plants found in the forest of Sunderbans are xcaecaria agallocha, Heritiera fomes, Ceriops decandra, Ceriops tagal, Phoenix paludosa, Sonneratia alba, Sonneratia apetala, Avicennia spp., Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata, Xylocarpus granatum, Bruguiera spp. etc.
Fauna: The most famous attraction of Sunderbans is the majestic Royal Bengal tiger. This park is home to around 400 tigers. Bengal Tigers have brilliantly adapted to the life of aquatic environment and have become very good swimmers. Apart from tiger, Sunderbans has large population of Chital deer and rhesus monkey.
Sunderbans is also rich in aqua fauna like fishes, red fiddler, crabs and hermit crabs. Large number of crocodile populations also inhabit this area. They are often seen lazing in the mud banks of Sunderban delta. This national park is also popular for the conservation of Ridley Sea Turtle. Varied types of dangerous reptiles like king cobra, rock python and water monitor are found in the marshy land of Sunderbans.
Avi Fauna & Other Attractions: Within Sunderbans National park, there are some beautiful tourist attractions like Sajnakhali sanctuary, Haliday island, Netidhopani, Kanak etc. Sajnakhali sanctuary is popular for the variety of avian population. It is the most sought after bird watching area and various colourful birds like Kingfisher, White-bellied Sea eagle, Plovers, Lap-Wings, Curfews, Whimbrels, Sandpipers and Pelican are seen here. Kanak is another place famous for the nesting of Olive Ridley Turtles.
