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ABOVE: Spo!ed
deer grazing in the
Sunderbans. The
bayonet-like roots
of the sundari tree
protruding out of the
clayey soil can be seen
in the foreground
A li!le over a hundred kilometres from the
frenetic bustle of Kolkata is an enchanting
world, ensconced in the deep forests of the
Sundarbans. Widely recognised as untamable
country ruled by the Royal Bengal tiger,
Sunderbans mystique is unparalleled. Its
unique ecosystem comprises creeks and
rivulets bordered with primeval mangrove
forests that hold together the small islands of
mud on which they stand. This is a land that is
swept over twice each day, by tides up to 2.15 m
high from the Bay of Bengal.
Bounded by river Hooghly in the west and
the Bay of Bengal in the south, Sunderbans is
the largest mangrove forest in the world (over

At a glance
District: South 24 Parganas
By Road: 100 kms from Kolkata
to Sonakhali, from where
launches ferry passengers to
Sunderbans. Other access points
include Namkhana, Bakkhali and
Hingalganj, about 105, 132 and
69 kms from Kolkata, respectively.
Nearest Airport: Kolkata (112 kms)
Nearest Railhead: Canning
(48 kms)
...............................................
Open all year round; though
monsoons are best avoided
Best time to visit: Oct-March
Permit: For foreigners: Jt Sec,
Forests, Govt of West Bengal,
4th Floor, G-Block, Writers Bldg,
Kolkata; Ph 22145048
..................................................
Major fauna: Tiger, salt water
crocodile, fishing cat, wild boar,
mongoose, cheetal
...................................................
Where to stay: Forest lodge and
forest rest-houses are available
at Sajnekhali, Bakkhali and Piyali.
Private accommodation also
available.
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