Among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country, one that stands out for its natural beauty happens to be the Sunderban National Park. Nestled in the mangrove delta in the state of West Bengal, the Sundarban National Park is home to the Royal Bengal tigers, which happen to be the national animals of India, among other species like saltwater crocodile, Ganges river dolphins, and olive ridley turtles. Apart from the fauna here, another feature that makes the Sundarban National Park special is that it is the biggest mangrove forest in the world. Formed by the confluence of three rivers, the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna on the side of Bangladesh, this national park is one of the best places to spot wildlife.
What to spot in the Sunderban National Park?
While the Royal Bengal tiger happens to be the star of the wildlife you can spot in the Sunderban National Park, that is not all. The national park is home to many other species like Indian grey mongoose, pangolin, flying fox, and wild boar. In terms of reptiles, you can spot saltwater crocodiles, water monitors, king cobras, and rock pythons. Other aquatic animals you can spot in the Sunderban National Park include turtles called batagur baska, red fiddler crabs, hermit crabs, and dolphins.
In terms of flora, the biggest point of attraction is the mangroves. The special kind of mangroves found in the area are called Sundari trees and give the Sunderban National Park its name. With their specialised roots that emerge above the ground for respiration, the Sundari trees are quite a view. It certainly helps that this is the biggest mangrove forest in the world, making it an indulgent experience. Apart from the Sundari trees, the national park is said to have roughly 70+ more varieties of mangroves.
What is the best time to visit Sunderban National Park?
When planning a trip to Sunderbans, it is important to consider the season, as in monsoon the entire area is flooded, and the summers can be exceptionally hot and humid. This makes the best time to visit Sunderban National Park during the winter season. The best time to see tiger in Sunderban National Park is from November to March.
How to get there?
To get to the Sunderban National Park, it is a great idea to get to Kolkata as the national park is merely 110 km from the city of joy. If you are travelling via train, you can get off at the Sealdah railway station, and then to Canning. From Canning, you can take a boat ride to the Sunderbans. For those travelling via road, reach Godkhali, from where the Sunderban National Park is a boat ride away. For those flying in, the nearest airport is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in Kolkata.