Sunderbans National Park

Sunderbans National Park is located about 150 Kms south of Kolkatta and getting to it involves multiple modes of transport including Cycle Rickshaws and Ferries.

Getting to Sunderbans from Kolkata :

1 ST Bus from Babu Ghat (Kolkata) to Sarberia
2 Auto Rickshaw from Sarberia to Godhkhali
3 Ferry from Godhkhali to Gosaba Bazaar
4 Cycle Rickshaw (Van) from Gosaba Bazaar to Pakhirala
5 Ferry from Pakhirala to Sajnekhali (Gateway to the Sunderbans)

One of the many ‘Cycle Vans’ which ply between Gosaba and Pakhirala

Our ride

The Cycle Van ride was a unique experience. It is a great way to explore the village landscape. Though I wish they had provided cushions like the shikaras in Srinagar.

These kids decided to hitch a ride with us

Most of the houses in Gosaba have their own private tank

The Sajnekhali Tourist Lodge Hotel offers 30 double-bedded rooms.

Sajnekhali Tourist Lodge

The next morning we went off on a full day boat ride through the Sunderbans (Sajnekhali to Netidhopani and back).

Boat

The Sundarbans (Beautiful Forests) is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world. The name has been derived from the Sundari trees which account for a large percentage of the forest trees.

Mangrove forest

This 10000 sq km forest lies in the vast delta formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers. 60% of the forest lies in Bangladesh and the remaining in West Bengal. This unique ecosystem was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

Mangrove forest

Cutting through

The area is home to the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger as well as numerous fauna including birds, spotted deer, crocodiles, monitor lizards and snakes.

Deer

Water Monitor Lizards, the largest of its kind in India, inhabit the water holes and feed on fishes, frogs, small mammals, crustaceans, and snakes.

Water Monitor Lizard

Giant White Stork

Croc

Sand Piper

Cormorant

Fiddler crabs are identified by their different sized claws. If the large claw is lost, males will develop one on the opposite side after their next molt. They use a sequence of waves and gestures to communicate with each other.

Fiddler Crab