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Geteway to Sunderbans
Once the capital of undivided India and situated on the banks of
river Hooghly, Calcutta links eastern India to the rest of the country.
Cited as the Mecca of the East this megacity is known for its museums,
monuments festivals, culture, art, music sports, food and specially
its warm hearted people. A city that is intensely alive to cultural,
artistic and intellectual persuits offer you such itense distinctive
memories that seems to grow on you.
Close encounter with the wild
At Sunderbans you can expect the thrills of a life time. While cruising
throught the brackish Kharris flanked by dense mangrove forests
all around in the luxury launch M.V. Chitrarekha and M.V. Madhukar,
experience the tow - day river cruise with one night on board with
your family and friends.
From the wide open upper deck you can watch the forest vibrant with
life while sipping your morning tea. Ofcourse ther is a great news
for the corporate houses. Have a cool brain - stormin session on
the deck all morning followed by a sumptuous Bengali lunch consisting
of delicacies like fish & prawns. You can also have a foot -
typping dance session in your evening party and retire to the cozy
banks at night. All these to give you a feeling of adventure along
with the safe comforts of home.
Rediscover the natural treasures
Ever thought of spending a whole day in the midst of mudclad crocodiles,
hopping Cheetals and majestic Royal Bengals! If not, then come to
Sunderbans.
A World Heritage Site (awarded by UNESCO in 97) that evokes the
feeling of an animal lover in you. Where after a close encounter
with the wild you can spend the adventurous night in the launch
under the shooting starts.
Situated on the lower end of the Gangetic West Bengal, 22.00 N-
89.00 E, is this world’s largest delta covered by mangrove
forest and vast saline mud flats. A land of 54 tiny islands, crisscrossed
by innumerable tributaries of Ganga, that was once infested by Arakanese
and Portuguese pirates is now the abode of varied flora & fauna
population. An area of 9630 sq. km., where 70 percent is under saline
water makes the life of commoners, mostly honey - catchers, prawn
catchers and fishermen, very difficult. This is Sunderbans, the
world’s argest estuarine forest.
The Undiscovered greenery
Sunderbans, the place that owes its name to Sundari trees, consist
of a large flora population like Genwa, Dhundal, Passur, Garjan
and Kankra. Apart from these trees, inpenetrable Goran Trees between
1.8 mtr. & 3.6 mtr. High covers almost the entire region. One
of the most remarkable feature of this place is the bayonet like
roots of mangrove forests that stick out above the water level.
Nature apart, if you want to feel the essence of spirituality then
this is the place to be. A place of Ma Bonobibi ( the Goddess of
the forest) to Shiber Kumir (Lord Shiva’s Crocodile) or from
Dakshinaroy (an orgre, the ancester of all tigers) to Kapil Muni
( an incarnation of Vishnu).
A land ruled by 269 Royals.
The land that is inhabited by Royal Bengal Tigers is not far from
Calcutta. You can explore unknown wildlife of Sunderbans that harbour
jungle cats, fishing cats, Axis deer, wild boar, Rhesus monkeys,
mongooses and the largest estuarune crocodiles in the world.
Sunderbans is the breeding ground of immense variety of birds like
Heron, Egret, Cormorant, Fishing Eagle, White Bellied Sea Eagle,
Seagul, Tern, Kingfisher as well as migratory birds like Whimprel,
Black tailed Godwit, Little Stint, Eastern Knot, Curlew, Sandpiper,
Golden Plover, Pintail, Wheite - eyed Pochard and also Whistling
teal. Come and discover wide variety of aquatic and reptile life
forms that include Olive Ridley sea turtle, hardshelled Batgur Terrapin,
pythons, king cobra, Chequered killback, Monitor and lizards including
the Salvator lizards.
How to get there
Come to Sajnekhali by motorboat departing from Canning which is
accessible by train and bus services from Calcutta. Cruise along
in M. V. Chitrarekha ( weekly journey from October to March) for
a life time experience. Once can also get private boats from canning,
Gosaba and Basanti. Raidighi, Basanti, Namkhana and Najatare are
all connected by road ways from Calcultta.
Project Tiger
The Tiger Reserve covers an area of 2585 sq. km. Has one of the
largest tiger population of any othe Indian parks, 269 Royal Bengal
Tigers.
Piyali
Gateway to the Sunderbans situated on the banks of river Piyali.
A beautiful resting place.
Ganga Sagar
The culturally and religiously important destination, also haas
an exceptionally good beach for the tourists. Situated on an island
in the Sunderbas, it holds the charms of a completely unspoilt beach
on the estuary of the mighty Ganga. It can be approached from Calcutta
either by road and then by vessel, or by chartered luxury vessels
taken from Culctta itself. A lovely destination combininmg pilgrimage
and fun.
Lothian Island Bird Sanctuary
You can hire a country boat to reach the place famous for its White
Bellied Sea - Eagle, Black capped kingfisher Whimbrell, Tern and
Curlew.
Bakkhali
A wellknown beach resort, close to Fraserganj overlooking the Bay
of Bengal. It’s a bird watchers paradise, where you are greeted
by casuarinas and Red Fiddle Carbs.
Mayadwip
The nesting place of the Olive Ridley Turtles.
Kalasdip
As Mathla river empties on the Bay of Bengal, lies Kalasdwip, a
densely wooded island.
Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary
A home ground of the Herons, Egrets andother species of birds, situated
on the confluence of Matla and Gumdi.
Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project
A hatchery cum sanctury. Home of the biggest estuarine crocodiles
Canning
One of the entry points to Sunderbans - 54 kms southeast of Calcutta.
‘Canning’ was built in 1858 as an alternate port. It
has a small fishing fleet and private boats are available on hire.
Gosaba
Remembered as Sir David Hamilton’s settlement.
