Sundarbans in Bangladesh

 In the south western part of Bangladesh, in the district of greater Khulna, lies the Sundarbans, “the beautiful forest”. It is a virgin forest which until recently owed nothing to human endeavour and yet nature has laid it out with as much care as a planned pleasure ground. For miles and miles, the lofty treetops form an unbroken canopy, while nearer the ground, works of high and ebb-tide marked on the soil and tree trunks and the many varieties of the natural mangrove forest have much to offer to an inquisitive visitor.

Here land and water meet in many novel fashions. Wild life presents many a spectacle. No wonder, you may come across a Royal Bengal Tiger swimming across the streams or the crocodiles basking on the river banks. With the approach of the evening herds of deer make for the darking gladeswhere boisterous monkeys shower Keora leaves from above for sumptuous meal for the former. For the botanist, the love of nature, the poet and the painter this land provides a variety of wonders for which they all crave.

The Sundarbans is a cluster of islands with an approximate area of 3600 sq. km. forming the largest block of littoral forests. Its beauty lies in its unique natural surroundings. Thousands of meandering streams, creeks, rivers and estuaries have enhanced its charm. Sundarbans meaning beautiful forest is the natural habitat of the world famous Royal Bengal Tiger, Spotted deer, crocodiles, jungle fowl, wild boar, lizards, rhesus monkey and an innumerable variety of beautiful birds. Migratory flock of Siberian ducks flying over thousands of sail boats loaded with timber, gopatta, fuel wood, honey, shell and fish further add to the serene natural beauty of the Sundarbans.

Major Attractive Spots:

The Sundarbans is an abundant natural resource of leisure, travel and research activities. These include wild life photography including photography of the famous Royal Bengal Tiger, wild life viewing, bating inside the forest, wild call recordings, nature study, meeting fishermen, wood-cutters and honey-collectors. Peace and tranquility in the wilderness, seeing the world’s largest mangrove forest and the riverine beauty are a few of the treasures that greet the visitors.

Below is a list of famous places to be kept in mind for the wildlife spotter:

·         Hiron Point (Nilkamal) for tiger, deer, monkey, crocodiles, birds and natural beauty.

·         Katka for deer, tiger, crocodiles, varieties of birds and monkey, morning and evening symphony of wild fowls. Vast expanse of grassy meadows running from Katka to Kachikhali (Tiger Point) provides opportunities for wild tracking.

·         Tin Kana Island for tiger and deer.

·         Dub Jar Char (Island) for fishermen. It is a beautiful island where gerds of spotted deer are often seen to graze.

Forest Area, Boundaries and Climate:

The Sundarbans cover an area of nearly 240 sq. miles or 3600 sq. km and is bounded in the north by Bagerhat, Khulna and Satkhira districts, in the south by the Bay of Bengal, in the east by Baleswar (or Haringhata) river, Perojpur, Barisal distrct, and in the west by Raimangal and Hariabhanga rivers which partially form Bangladesh boundary with West Bengal in India.

The climate in the Sundarbans is moderate. Air is humid. Full monsoon is rom June to September. The annual rainfall average between 65 and 70 inches. During ebb-tide the forest becomes bare by 6-7 feet and at high tide (30 miles an hour) the entire territory of the forest floats on water.

How to Get There and Where to Stay:

Best time to visit the Sundarbans is from November to March. Exciting homey collection season is during April-May Hunting is prohibited by law in the country for the preservation of wild life. Certain species of birds, however, can be shot with prior permission of the Divisional Forest Officer, Khulna (Phone 20665 & 21173)

Water transport is the only means of communication for visiting the Sundarbans from Khulna or Mongla Port. Private motor launch, speed boats, country boats as well as mechanized vessel of Mongla Port Authority might be hired for the purpose. From Dhaka visitors may travel by air, road or steamer to Khulna the gareway to the Sundarbans.

The journey time varies depending on whether the tides are against or in favour in the river. Usually 6 to 10 hours journey by motor vessel from Mongla to Hiron Point or Karka.