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National park and nature reserve in West Bengal, India
Photo: Peter Andersen, CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
The Sundarbans National Park (SNP; Bengali: সুন্দরবন Sundorbon) is a huge littoral mangrove forest in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, India. It is a and famous as a sanctuary of the Royal Bengal Tiger.
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In 1903, Sir David Hamilton bought 40 square kilometres of the Sundarbans from the British Indian government, including Gosaba, Rangabelia, and Satjelia. His efforts at developing these places brought in other people into this area. The people dared not only to struggle against nature but also the predators that lived there – tigers, crocodiles, sharks and lizards. The predators killed so many people that Hamilton gave rewards to people who killed them. In December 1932, Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore visited and stayed in the bungalow of Sir David Hamilton.
Here you can feel the mudflats and do a few hours of jungle and coastal trek (in the mud as well as the coast).
Jharkhali Zoo
Along the Choto Herobhanga River, the zoo contains a deer park, a tiger enclosure, crocodile canals, and a children's park. It is home to Bengal tigers, saltwater crocodiles, monkeys and other wildlife.
One of the interpretation centres in West Bengal dedicated to the wildlife of the Sundarbans, including both flora and fauna.
Contains a 400-year-old temple.
Most of the tigers are sighted from this tower. Some other wildlife like axis deer and crocodiles may also be seen from here.
A houseboat with 4 rooms sufficient to accommodate 8 persons, two washrooms - one Western-style and another Indian-style, 1 kitchen. Sightseeing tour by boat.
A houseboat with 2 rooms sufficient to accommodate 3 + 4 = 7 persons. Well-furnished rooms, not cabins. A unique experience of cruising during the day and staying in the middle of the river at night.
ঝড়ে জলে জঙ্গলে Jhaṛe Jale Jaṅgale
A resort maintained by the Techno India Group (TIG), with various local seafood out of the box.
Sajnekhali Tourist Lodge
Belonging to West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. 30 double bedrooms, ₹700/- including breakfast+1 meal. It is the only lodge close to Sajnekhali Forest Beat Office.
In the heart of Sundarbans and amidst 9 acres of forestland opposite Sajnekhali Tiger Reserve Forest. A boutique resort providing conference facilities and accommodations including tents, huts, and cottages, with A/C units available, all with attached baths. Meals are served buffet-style with vegetarian options. Sightseeing tours by boat. The rooms have attached clean bathrooms with running cold water and hot water on request, and are very well sanitised.
By plane
The nearest airport is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) at Kolkata. One may have to take other modes of transport to reach one's destination.
By train
Canning is the nearest railway station to the Sundarbans. It is 29 km away from Godkhali Port. Public transport services are available between Canning and Godkhali.
By car
State Highway 3 (SH 3) is the only highway in Sundarbans National Park. It starts from Krishnanagar and ends at Godkhali.
By boat
You have to rely on boats for visiting the various tourist spots of the Sundarbans.V.V. Sarbajaya. You can also hire your own boat but the charges are pretty steep (₹1,500-2,000 per day).
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Kolkata · International · CCU
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