Sunderban: Footprints of Magesticism

The roar. The striped large cats. The mangroves. The legends. Fellow traveler, take guard! We are in the Sunderban. The den of Royal Bengal tiger, the second largest species of tiger that exists in the world. The UNESCO Heritage site. India’s largest Tiger Reserve and National Park.The name comes from Sundari tree or Mangrove.

Mangrove Forests, Sunderban
It lies at the southern tip of West Bengal, where the land meets the sea, a large impenetrable mangrove forest of great Bio-diversity.It stretches over 4264 square kms in India alone.

Unlike other wildlife parks where jeeps and guides provide a sense of security and control, here visitors will find themselves holding their breath in their boats which glide through the rivulets and mangroves guarding the banks. A breathtaking sight, the wilderness, the small islands.

The Crocodile
Those lucky enough, may get a glimpse of a deer around a bush , or a crocodile sun bathing. The strategically placed Watch Towers give the visitors an opportunity to see the Royal Bengal Tiger in it’s natural surroundings. Those fortunate, shall get the sight.

Spotted Deer
One can explore the diverse wildlife of Sunderban that harbours Jungle Cats, Fishing Cats, Axis Deer, Wild Boar, Rhesus Monkeys, Mongooses and the largest Estuarine Crocodiles in the world. For the bird lovers, there are a variety of birds including Heron, Egret, Cormorant, Fishing Engle, White Bellied Sea Eagle. There are also a variety of migratory birds such as Pintail, White-eyed Pochard.

The main attraction, however, is the Royal Bengal Tiger. The tiger population is around 274.

Spirituality and legends flow around the place. There is a place famous for Ma Bonobibi (the Goddessof the Forest),Shiber Kumir (Lord Shiva’s Crocodile), Dakshinaroy(an ogre, the ancestor of all the tigers) or Kapil Muni(an incarnation of Vishnu).

As for accommodation, there is the WBTDC Lodge and the Benfish Sajnekhali Tourist Lodge.(Book in advance)

P.S: The best time to visit Sunderban is between Sptember and February. Photographers, put on your telephoto lenses. It comes handy.

(Photo Courtesy: www.indiamarks.com, www.dhakatribune.com, www.journeymart.com, www.panoramio.com )

• About the Author

About Shreejit Guha

Run, Jump, Climb to the cliffs of Isolation and jump into the sea of madness and cacophony. Listen intently to the paroxysm and choose your way. Be content. And be Confused. Thus is my philosophy.