{"id":856,"date":"2020-08-26T13:45:55","date_gmt":"2020-08-26T13:45:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stremon.com\/?p=856"},"modified":"2020-08-26T13:45:55","modified_gmt":"2020-08-26T13:45:55","slug":"sundarbans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stremon.com\/sundarbans\/","title":{"rendered":"Sundarbans"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"readMoreText compact\">\n<p>Known for hosting the biggest mangrove forests in the world, Sundarbans National Park is located in West Bengal, India. It is also a Tiger Reserve and a Biosphere reserve that provides a complete nature&#8217;s circle to the tourist right from &#8216;Royal Bengal tigers&#8217; to roaring rivers and beautiful estuaries. Sundarbans National Park is a part of Sundarban delta that is covered with Mangrove Forest and the largest population of the Bengal Tigers. It is a UNESCO world heritage site\u00a0with a large variety of birds and reptiles including salt-water crocodile.<\/p><div class=\"yikpv651aae4a6d55d\" ><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n     style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\"\n     data-ad-layout=\"in-article\"\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-8209967072221559\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"2673331731\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">\r\n@media screen and (min-width: 1201px) {\r\n.yikpv651aae4a6d55d {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n@media screen and (min-width: 993px) and (max-width: 1200px) {\r\n.yikpv651aae4a6d55d {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n@media screen and (min-width: 769px) and (max-width: 992px) {\r\n.yikpv651aae4a6d55d {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n@media screen and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 768px) {\r\n.yikpv651aae4a6d55d {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {\r\n.yikpv651aae4a6d55d {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\n<p>Shared between India and Bangladesh, the Sundarbans meaning beautiful forest, have been declared a UNESCO heritage site. This area has a silent charm that manages to amaze one with the simplicity and naturalness of its ecological balance in spite of offering habitat to some of the most dynamic and awe-inspiring flora and fauna. They are in fact the last remaining stands of the mighty jungles which once covered the Gangetic plain and the sustainability of this natural structure is pretty majestic. Since 1966, the Sundarbans have been a wildlife sanctuary, and it is estimated that there are over 400 Royal Bengal Tigers and about 30, 000 spotted deer in the area.<br \/>\nThis forest has the largest number of Sundari trees. Sundarbans epitomize wilderness with its meandering rivers, springs, creeks and estuaries. It is a declared Tiger Reserve, home to the Royal Bengal Tiger- an almost extinct species who swim in the saline water and are often man-eating varieties.<\/p>\n<p>Other endangered species in the Bioreserve are Batagur baska, King Crabs, Olive Ridley and Turtle. You can also find the jungle fowl, giant lizards, spotted deer, wild boar and crocodiles in these forests. The Siberian ducks are another famous attraction here. Besides this, there are over 64 varieties of Mangroves such as Goran, Genwa, Dhundal, Garjan, Kankra, Sundari and Passur. Make sure to hit the Nilkamalor Hiron Point and Katka viewpoints that offer fantastic views of animals in the wilderness. Also, enjoy the mud-flats called Chargheri Char where you can enjoy coastal trekking.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters mb-50 \">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<h2 class=\"heading2 w-100\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"More_on_Sundarbans\"><\/span>More on Sundarbans<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_55 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-651aae4a7013e\"><span class=\"\"><span style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-651aae4a7013e\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stremon.com\/sundarbans\/#More_on_Sundarbans\" title=\"More on Sundarbans\">More on Sundarbans<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stremon.com\/sundarbans\/#Safari_in_Sunderban_National_Park\" title=\"Safari in Sunderban National Park\">Safari in Sunderban National Park<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stremon.com\/sundarbans\/#Boat_Safari\" title=\"Boat Safari\">Boat Safari<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stremon.com\/sundarbans\/#Cruise\" title=\"Cruise\">Cruise<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stremon.com\/sundarbans\/#Private_Cruise_Tours\" title=\"Private\u00a0Cruise Tours\">Private\u00a0Cruise Tours<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stremon.com\/sundarbans\/#Private_Boats\" title=\"Private Boats\">Private Boats<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stremon.com\/sundarbans\/#Geography\" title=\"Geography\">Geography<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stremon.com\/sundarbans\/#Watch_Towers\" title=\"Watch Towers\">Watch Towers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stremon.com\/sundarbans\/#Flora_and_Fauna\" title=\"Flora and Fauna\">Flora and Fauna<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stremon.com\/sundarbans\/#Islands\" title=\"Islands\">Islands<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stremon.com\/sundarbans\/#Culture_of_the_Forest_Dwellers\" title=\"Culture of the Forest Dwellers\">Culture of the Forest Dwellers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stremon.com\/sundarbans\/#The_Mysterious_Delta\" title=\"The Mysterious Delta\">The Mysterious Delta<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stremon.com\/sundarbans\/#Restaurants_and_Local_Food_in_Sundarbans\" title=\"Restaurants and Local Food in Sundarbans\">Restaurants and Local Food in Sundarbans<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stremon.com\/sundarbans\/#Suggested_Itinerary\" title=\"Suggested Itinerary\">Suggested Itinerary<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"accordionFlexibleParagraphs\" class=\"accordion\">\n<div class=\"card\">\n<div id=\"heading1\" class=\"card-header\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapse1\" aria-expanded=\"true\">\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Safari_in_Sunderban_National_Park\"><\/span>Safari in Sunderban National Park<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"collapse1\" class=\"collapse show\">\n<div class=\"card-body article\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.holidify.com\/images\/cmsuploads\/compressed\/Sundarban_Tiger_20180212163747.jpg\" alt=\"Sundarban National Park\" width=\"600\" height=\"401\" \/>Being in the midst of large water bodies means Sundarban can offer you the cruising experience of a lifetime where with just a little luck, you can experience the Royal Bengal tiger swimming alongside your cruise boat. Both government and private cruising tours are available here, ranging from budget to luxury options.<\/div>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Boat_Safari\"><\/span>Boat Safari<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>The government operated boat safaris are available in large and small sizes, large ones for longer durations and small ones for smaller durations. They are available in AC as well as Non-AC. The boat safari can be booked for one day and even for longer time periods 0f one week.<br \/>\n<strong>Timings<br \/>\n<\/strong>It starts at 08:30 AM and ends at 04:00 PM. Boats are not allowed inside after 06:30 PM. Both AC and Non-AC boats<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cruise\"><\/span>Cruise<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>The 2 Night cruise operated by the West Bengal government takes you to Sudhanyakhali, Sajnekhali, Jhingakhali, and Dobanki watchtower. There is also a less expensive 1 Night tour which excludes a visit to the Jhingakhali tower. The tour is conducted in two boats, Chitralekha and Sarbajaya. The latter one is said to be the better option out of the two. The tours are conducted with a group of up to 50 people.<br \/>\nSo, expect a large crowd and fewer chances of sighting wildlife as the boats can only pass through wide waterways because of their large size.<br \/>\n<strong>Timings<\/strong><br \/>\nA 2N\/3D tour will start from Kolkata at 08:00 in the morning from Kolkata and end on Day 3 at 05:30 PM, also in Kolkata.<br \/>\n<strong>Booking and Cost<\/strong><br \/>\nYou can book online on the website of West Bengal tourism. The cost depends on the part of the ship you book. An all-inclusive package starts from INR 4,840 for lower deck, INR 6,050 for Non-AC birth, INR 7,700 for AC birth, INR 6,600 for Cabin and INR 14,850 (2 PAX) for\u00a0a couple.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Private_Cruise_Tours\"><\/span>Private\u00a0Cruise Tours<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Private cruise tours are also available, ranging from 2N\/3D budget tours to 6N\/7D luxury tours. The cost also varies with the type of amenities, facilities, and the requirements of the guest. Sundarban Chalo, Vivada Sundarban, Sundarban Houseboat, Help Tourism Sundarbans Jungle Camp, and Tour De Sundarban are some popular options with the tourists.<br \/>\n<strong>Timings<br \/>\n<\/strong>All cruise tours usually start at 8:00 in the morning and end around 5:00-5:30 in the evening.<br \/>\n<strong>Cost<br \/>\n<\/strong>The price can be as low as INR 2,000 per person and as high as INR 50,000 per person.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Private_Boats\"><\/span>Private Boats<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Privately run boat rentals are also an option if you want to explore the river waters for only a day.<br \/>\n<strong>Timings:<\/strong>\u00a0Starts at 8:00 in the morning and end around 5:00-5:30 in the evening.<strong><br \/>\nCost<br \/>\n<\/strong>All inclusive food charges start from INR 950 per person, and overnight stay is charged extra at INR 600 per person. Expenses for the motorboat, forest entry fee, and video camera fee are over and above the food and overnight stay charges and have to be paid by the tourist to the forest department directly.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n<div id=\"heading2\" class=\"card-header\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapse2\" aria-expanded=\"true\">\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Geography\"><\/span>Geography<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"collapse2\" class=\"collapse show\">\n<div class=\"card-body article\">Sundarban is an island cluster in the Bay of Bengal, spread across an area of 10,000 sq. Km. 40 percent of this area lies in India, and the rest is in Bangladesh. The forest lies in the mid of the humongous delta formed by the rivers Meghna, Ganga, and Brahmaputra. The park area is also enclosed with different rivers on all sides. The park boundaries are shared by Malta on West, Haribhanga on East, and Netidhopani &amp; Gosba in the North. The total park area is 4,262 sq. Km, half of which is covered by the Mangrove trees. Out of 102 islands, 54 are inhabited by forest vegetation and the rest by human dwellers. Various tributaries of the river Ganga flow through the park many other water courses, including 31 saltwater rivers form a criss-cross of water bodies in the region. All water bodies flow Southward to mingle into the sea. It\u2019s interesting to note that the region goes through fluctuating geographical conditions, depending on the effect of flow tides and ebb tides. The waxing and waning of tides raise the river bed by depositing slit in varying heights and depths, creating new islands and carving fresh creeks. To the South of the Park and the Dublar Char island lies the mysterious deep-sea canyon, known as Swatch of No Ground where the depth of water undergoes extreme variations, ranging from 20 metres to 500 metres. Sundarban is also known for its metamorphosing mudflats. Mudflats are wet deposits of soil found near coastal areas, formed from the deposition of mud by rivers or tides. The mudflats are submerged during high tide and exposed during low tide, transforming within one tidal cycle. Outside the park, there is a mudflat which is being promoted as an upcoming tourist attraction by private tour operators. During low tide, tourists are seen visiting the mudflat, taking mud baths and even exploring the area on foot. With some luck, small Octopus, Sea Anemones, and Horseshoe Crabs can also be spotted here.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n<div id=\"heading3\" class=\"card-header\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapse3\" aria-expanded=\"true\">\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Watch_Towers\"><\/span>Watch Towers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"collapse3\" class=\"collapse show\">\n<div class=\"card-body article\">To offer a full view of the rich animal and plant life to tourists, the forest department has constructed several towers inside the forest area. Below are the major ones with the sightings they are famous for.<br \/>\n<strong>Sudhanyakhali:<\/strong>\u00a0Tigers, crocodiles, wild boars<br \/>\n<strong>Sajnekhali:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Kingfisher, White Bellied Sea Eagle, Plovers, Lap-Wings, Curfews, Whimprel, Sandpipers, Pelican, Bono Bibi temple, Crocodile park, Mangrove Inspection Centre<br \/>\n<strong>Dobanki:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Canopy walk, Cheetal<br \/>\n<strong>Burirdabri:<\/strong>\u00a0Mud walk, Mangrove cage trail, molluscs, crabs<br \/>\n<strong>Netidhopani:<\/strong>\u00a0Ancient Shiva Temple<br \/>\n<strong>Bonnie Camp:<\/strong>\u00a0Scenic beauty, tigers, deer<br \/>\n<strong>Jhingekali:<\/strong>\u00a0Tigers, Brahmini Kite Bird<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n<div id=\"heading4\" class=\"card-header\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapse4\" aria-expanded=\"true\">\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Flora_and_Fauna\"><\/span>Flora and Fauna<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"collapse4\" class=\"collapse show\">\n<div class=\"card-body article\">Sundarban is made up of a unique ecosystem of Mangrove trees and houses 1586 faunal species. Out of these, 15 mammal species, eight bird species, and 17 reptile species are counted amongst the rare and endangered species in India.<br \/>\n<strong>Flora<br \/>\n<\/strong>The vegetation in Sunderbans is a moist tropical forest with Mangroves dominating the flora. Multiple species of Mangroves are found here. Sundari tree (Heritiera fomes), which in all probability gave the forest its name characterizes the thick Mangrove growth. Other species of Mangrove found here are Gewa (Excoecaria agallocha), Keora (Sonneratia apetala), Dhundul (Xylocarpus granatum), Kankra (Bruguiera gymnorhiza), and Goran (Ceriops decandra).<br \/>\nPoresia Coaractata, Myriostachya Wightiana And Golpata are the species of Palm Trees found in the forest. Covers of Speargrass and Khagra grass are also found in the forest.<\/p><div class=\"mmwef651aae4a6d58b\" ><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n     style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\"\n     data-ad-layout=\"in-article\"\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-8209967072221559\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"2673331731\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">\r\n@media screen and (min-width: 1201px) {\r\n.mmwef651aae4a6d58b {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n@media screen and (min-width: 993px) and (max-width: 1200px) {\r\n.mmwef651aae4a6d58b {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n@media screen and (min-width: 769px) and (max-width: 992px) {\r\n.mmwef651aae4a6d58b {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n@media screen and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 768px) {\r\n.mmwef651aae4a6d58b {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {\r\n.mmwef651aae4a6d58b {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\n<p><strong>Fauna:\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Glowing Phytoplanktons:\u00a0<\/strong>If you are taking a night safari through the waters, be prepared to behold the rare sight of a magical starry night, both underneath as well as above you. Sundarban waters are replete with tiny organisms called phytoplankton which glow in the dark. If you plan accordingly, on a Safari on a new moon night, you will see the waters lit up like blue fairy lights.\u00a0<strong>Animals:\u00a0<\/strong>Sunderban is particularly known for being the only Mangrove ecosystem in the world which harbours an entire population of Tigers. The tigers here have adapted themselves to the salty water and also become great swimmers. Due to a difficult hunting environment, anything that moves becomes prey in the eye of the Tiger, including human who set out into the jungle.\u00a0 Apart from tigers, other animal species found in Sundarban are \u00a0Cheetal, Wild Boar, Small Indian Civet, Rhesus Macaque, Fishing Cats, Leopard Cats, Common Otter, and Black Finless Porpoise. Dolphins are also aplenty in the river water and two types of Dolphin, that is, Gangetic dolphin and Irrawady Dolphin are found here.\u00a0<strong>Reptiles:\u00a0<\/strong>Estuarine Crocodile(Crocodilus porosus), though endangered, is still present in Sundarban in good numbers. Snake population pervades the jungle as 57 out of 93 snake species in West Bengal are found here. Common among them are Common Cobra, Russel&#8217;s Viper, King Cobra, Indian Python, Common Krait, Rat Snake, Chequered Keelback, and Green Whip Snake. River Terrapin is a locally found species which has been given an endangered species. Water Monitor Lizard is another reptile with a decent population in the Sundarbans. Turtles, both freshwater and seawater are found here. Among the freshwater species, Indian Soft-shelled Turtle, Flapshell Turtle, and Spotted Pond Turtle are common. \u00a0Olive Ridley, Hawksbill Turtle, and Green Sea Turtles are commonly found seawater species.\u00a0<strong>Birds:\u00a0<\/strong>The rich avifauna of Sundarban boasts of over 210 species of birds. A huge number of migratory birds visit the forest every winter. Flocks of Wader birds can be seen foraging near the mudflats and sandbanks. Some majorly sighted bird species are Oriental Honey Buzzard, Herons, Short Toed Eagle, Sandpipers, Whimbrels, Spoonbills, Stilts, Thick Knees, Green Shanks, Curlew, Osprey, Shikara, Brahminy Kite, Osprey, and Crested Serpent Eagle. Other species of birds include Green Pigeon, Cormorants, Seagulls, Egrets, Cuckoos, Sunbirds, Ducks, Geese, and Storks. It&#8217;s also known as Kingfisher&#8217;s Paradise because of the presence of 10 out 12 species of Kingfisher in the region.\u00a0<strong>Fishes:\u00a0<\/strong>Numerous rivers and creeks wind through the forests of Sundarban, and an abundance of fish and crustaceans is found in the flowing waters. Peripthalmus and Bolethalmus are amphibious fish species, most frequently seen swimming near mud banks and jetties.\u00a0 These rivers are also home to some endangered species such as Ganges Shark, Pondicherry Shark, and Shovel Nosed White Guitarfish.\u00a0 Indian Dog Sharks, Hammer Headed Sharks, \u00a0Pale Edged Sting Rays, Bull Sharks, Black Tip Sharks, Pale Edged Sting Rays, and Black Edged Sting Rays are also found here in waters of Sundarban. Hilsa, Bhetki, Pomphret, Parshey, Gurjali, Topshey are other fish varieties commonly found here. Among the crab species, Ghost Crab and Fiddler Crabs are common inhabitants of these waters along with two primitive species of crabs known as Horseshoe Crab (Tachepleursgygus and Carcinoscropius rotundicauda). Tiger Prawns are also abundant and serve as a source of livelihood for the locals because of huge demand in the export market.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n<div id=\"heading5\" class=\"card-header\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapse5\" aria-expanded=\"true\">\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Islands\"><\/span>Islands<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"collapse5\" class=\"collapse show\">\n<div class=\"card-body article\">Sundarban is diffusion of 54 islands, rooted in Mangrove vegetation. The existence of these islands is a worrisome cause for the nature lovers and conservationists as even the main islands are fast disappearing under the rising seawater levels and global warming. Four islands have completely disappeared under water, and another ten are at the risk of submersion because of increase in river water flowing from the Himalayas from global warming.<br \/>\n<strong>Lohachara island<\/strong>\u00a0is one of the vanishing isles in the Sunderban delta region. It was once permanently flooded in the 1980s, then declared disappeared in 2006, and declared visible again in 2009. It was the only one of four permanently flooded islands inhabited by people.<br \/>\n<strong>Ghoramara island<\/strong>\u00a0lies 92 km south of Kolkata and spreads in a minuscule area of 5 km. This island was also once populated with a huge number of local families but now faces complete submergence in water due to erosion and rise in sea water levels. Nonetheless, it is still inhabited by a population of 3,000 people.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n<div id=\"heading6\" class=\"card-header\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapse6\" aria-expanded=\"true\">\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Culture_of_the_Forest_Dwellers\"><\/span>Culture of the Forest Dwellers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"collapse6\" class=\"collapse show\">\n<div class=\"card-body article\">Here in Sundarban, you will witness a unique culture of communal assimilation. This is where different religious beliefs merge into one, where the sheer force of the forest brings all communities together, and Hindus and Muslims worship the same deities. Prepare to meet one of the most resilient, hardened community of people you will ever meet. Hardships of living in a remote village take on an entirely new form here as nature cavorts about furiously in the form of extreme tides which wash away homes and predatory animals who prance on humans venturing into the jungle for their livelihood. In the face of such dynamic natural forces, belief in forest deities and the supernatural is firm and unyielding. Bono Bibi (the forest goddess) is considered to be the protector of the forest dwellers, and everyone who ventures into the forest doesn\u2019t forget to invoke her and seek her blessings and protection. What is interesting is that everyone, irrespective of their caste or religion worships the forest goddess and other deities such as Maa Manosa, Dakshin Rai, and Gazi Peer.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n<div id=\"heading7\" class=\"card-header\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapse7\" aria-expanded=\"true\">\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Mysterious_Delta\"><\/span>The Mysterious Delta<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"collapse7\" class=\"collapse show\">\n<div class=\"card-body article\">Located between India and Bangladesh, Sundarbans is an alluvial archipelago of 54 islands formed by the rivers Ganga and Brahmaputra. Known as the largest delta in the world, the place receives its name from the Mangrove or &#8216;Sundari&#8217; trees which grow in the region in huge numbers. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and a biosphere reserve, the existence of Sundarbans is mesmerizing in itself.<br \/>\nThe mysterious mangrove forests are home to the Royal Bengal Tiger and several other species of animals. Sundarbans is a replica of the miracles of nature and shows us the importance of the ecosystem. A trip to Sundarbans is thus, a perfect escape from the hectic life into the lap of Mother Nature. Apart from the natural beauty, the non-communal traditions of the local population in the region gives a strong message to take away home.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n<div id=\"heading8\" class=\"card-header\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapse8\" aria-expanded=\"true\">\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Restaurants_and_Local_Food_in_Sundarbans\"><\/span>Restaurants and Local Food in Sundarbans<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"collapse8\" class=\"collapse show\">\n<div class=\"card-body article\">Though the options for cuisine and food here are modest and limited, one can relish the freshest catches from the water around and indulge in mouth watering dishes prepared from the same. However since the options for restaurants and joints are limited, it is best to stick to your hotels to avail decent food options.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n<div id=\"heading9\" class=\"card-header\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapse9\" aria-expanded=\"true\">\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Suggested_Itinerary\"><\/span>Suggested Itinerary<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"collapse9\" class=\"collapse show\">\n<div class=\"card-body article\"><b>Day 1 &#8211;\u00a0<\/b>Start from Kolkata. Reach Gosaba and explore the villages around the forests. You can enjoy a boat ride in the river.<br \/>\n<b>Day 2 &#8211;\u00a0<\/b>Start off early morning. Visit the watch towers in Sajnekhali, Sudyanakhali and Do Banki. The mangrove interpretation centre in Sajnekhali is a must-visit. These regions highlight different features of the huge jungle and are exciting to explore.<\/div>\n<div>Source:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.holidify.com\/places\/sundarban-national-park\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">holidify.com<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Known for hosting the biggest mangrove forests in the world, Sundarbans National Park is located in West Bengal, India. It&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":857,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3842],"tags":[3886,3875,3858,3879,3862,3883,3871,3890,3873,3887,3872,3881,3880,3870,3877,3856,3891,3859,3892,3888,3848,3876,3865,3851,3878,3882,3857,3847,3854,3855,3853,3866,3843,3845,3885,3884,3860,3867,3861,3852,3846,3863,3844,3849,3850,3868,3869,3864,3889,3874],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stremon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/856"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stremon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stremon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stremon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stremon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=856"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.stremon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/856\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":858,"href":"https:\/\/www.stremon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/856\/revisions\/858"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stremon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/857"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stremon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=856"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stremon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=856"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stremon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=856"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}