The Sundarbans are a part of the world's largest delta formed by the rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna. Situated on the lower end of the Gangetic West Bengal, 21°13’-22°40’ North and longitude 88°05’-89°06’ East, it is also the world’s largest estuarine forest. The Sundarbans is inhospitable, dangerous and monotonous. Dense mangrove forests occupy 56 islands and the balance is under saline water which flows through numerous tidal channels and creeks. It is difficult to approach and even more difficult to spend time in. But for those who dare, it must be one of the most attractive and alluring places remaining on earth.
Key to birding the Sundarbans is overcoming the geographic and physical hurdles. Though only a 100 odd kms from Kolkata city, Sajnekhali, an established tourist/visitor destination takes 5 - 6 hours to reach through a combination of road and water transport. In a landscape dominated by great tidal creeks and waterways, the only way to access and enjoy the area is on motorized boats which come in various sizes and shapes. Sundarbans is the home of swimming man eating tigers, estuarine crocodiles, sharks, poisonous snakes and pirates. Man fights for survival in great numbers by living off nature's bounty by accepting and fighting against these odds. The visitor has no choice but to stay within limits and out of trouble. This means that there is very little conventional bird-watching, more observations from water. But the dark and foreboding attractiveness of the mangroves also hides some of the most sought after birds in the world and a chance encounter with a Brown-winged Kingfisher, a Grey Headed Lapwing, a Pallas's Fish Eagle, a Lesser Adjutant or maybe a Mangrove Whistler is always a possibility ~ as is the unforgettable sight of the most secretive great cat in the world.
Mudskipper-
Birding is difficult not just because of the terrain but also because the density is not evident from the limited view one gets from a noisy boat. The fringes of Sundarbans play host to many local endemics and the visitor is well advised to spend time on land outside the core area before venturing into the heart of the National Park. Once inside the Park, the only access to land is at the Sajnekhali compound and the various Watchtowers you can visit. Remember that the watchtowers are inside wire cages and do not allow you to stroll in tiger-land.
Masked Finfoot-
How to reach: Sundarbans is accessed from Kolkata ( Calcutta) by traveling either towards the South East or the South West. The South West route takes one through Diamond Harbour to Kakdwip and Namkhana. You can take a boat from these places or from Gangadharpur and visit Lothian Island and surrounding areas.
The South Eastern route is more popular. You drive 86 kms through wetlands and agricultural land to reach Sonakhali. You can take a 3 hour boat ride from Sonakhali jetty to Sajnekhali Tourist Lodge or cross over to Basanti. From Basanti you can take an auto-rickshaw ride to Gadkhali (11kms). At Gadkhali take the ferry to cross the Bidya river to arrive at Gosaba. A Cycle Rickshaw ride will take you to Pakhiralaya in about half hour. Sajnekhali is across the water from Pakhiralaya.
Where to Stay: Accommodation is at Sajnekhali Tourist Lodge and new resorts at Gosaba and Bali Islands. Help Tourism's Sundarban Jungle Camp is well appointed and comfortable.
Bali Jungle Camp-
Jungle Camp arranges ex-Kolkata round trips and travel within the delta. The Sajnekhali Tourist Lodge is very basic and in need of serious renovation. Visitors often stay on board vessels that they arrange. Make sure you know what you are getting before you choose that alternative.
Contact: W.B. Tourism Development Corp. Ltd. at (033) 2248-8286 or 2248-7302 or the Tourism Centre at (033) 2248-5917/5168 for enquiry's or bookings. Help Tourism can be reached at www.helptourism.com
Best Tip: If you just want to enjoy the beauty of the Sundarbans without making an adventure out of it, take the Govt. of West Bengal Conducted Trip which comes in 2 or 3 night packages. The trip is ex Kolkata and you can travel in style in a quality Motor Launch without hassle..
2007-03-21 00:01:20
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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Campbell Bay National Park is a national park in India, located on the island of Great Nicobar, the largest of the Nicobar Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean some 190 km to the north of Sumatra. It was gazetted as a national park of India in 1992, and forms part of the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve.
The park has an approximate area of some 426 km², and is separated from the smaller Galathea National Park by a 12-km wide forest buffer zone
2007-03-21 00:13:20
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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Kanha National Park
Location : Mandla District, Madhya Pradesh
Nearest Access : Mandla
Main Wildlife Found : Tigers, Leopards, Bears
Coverage Area : 1,940-sq-kms
Depending on the area and terrain National Parks provide ample opportunities to the visitors to have a close encounters with the wilds. But what is so exquisite about the Indian National Parks is the variance that they are equipped with. Whether it comes to the flora, avifauna, and aquafauna, or witnessing various wild forms in their natural surroundings on an elephant or inside a jeep, wild ventures in are simply amazing!
Some of the best jewels of Indian wilderness include the Great Himalayan National Park, Dachigam National Park near Srinagar, Corbett National Park in Uttar Pradesh, which is also a famous tiger reserve, Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan, and Sundarbans National Park in West Bengal. Worth visiting in the east indian part in "The Land of Rhino" Assam is Kaziranga.
2007-03-21 01:32:04
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answer #3
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answered by GARY J 1
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Jim Corbett National Park
2007-03-22 01:21:09
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answer #4
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answered by tdrajagopal 6
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The Desert National Park is one of the largest national park in India, established in 1980 is situated in the west Indian state of Rajasthan near Jaisalmer city. The varied ecosystem of Thar supports a unique and diverse wildlife in the national park spanning over an area of 3162 sq.km.
2007-03-22 01:48:48
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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Hemis National Park is the largest of all in India. It is in Jammu and Kashmir, Leh District.
2015-02-22 20:44:37
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answer #6
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answered by ? 1
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I DONT KNOW.
might be sunderbans or nilgris.
2007-03-21 01:59:06
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answer #7
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answered by NITHIN 2
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ur house
2007-03-20 23:42:58
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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ur qustion is not full
2007-03-21 00:21:15
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answer #9
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answered by computer 2
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