Hey listen! Where are
you going? You are planning to visit Eiffel tower of France or China’s great
wall? I am going to share a most beautiful place in the world, which is most attractive
and natural than any other lucrative or heritage place in any planet. I know
what are you thinking about! You are thinking I have become a mad! Oh no man!
If you want to know the scene behind my madness come on and see the Sundarbans
at once.
The Sundarbans is a
natural and most striking tourist spot in the world. It is a natural region in
the Bengal region comprising Bangladesh and Eastern India. It is the largest
single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world. The Sundarbans covers
approximately 10,000 square kilometres (3,900 sq mi) of which
60 percent is in Bangladesh with the remainder in India. The Sundarbans is
a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Sundarbans National
Park is a National Park, Tiger Reserve, and a Biosphere Reserve located in the
Sundarbans delta in the Indian state of West Bengal. Sundarbans South, East and
West are three protected forests in Bangladesh. This region is densely covered
by mangrove forests, and is the largest reserves for the Bengal tiger.
How was it named as Sundarbans?
The name Sundarban can
be literally translated as "beautiful forest" in the Bengali language
(Shundor, "beautiful" and bon, "forest"). The name may have
been derived from the Sundari trees (the mangrove species Heritiera fomes) that
are found in Sundarbans in large numbers. Alternatively, it has been proposed
that the name is a corruption of Samudraban, Shomudrobôn ("Sea
Forest"), or Chandra-bandhe (name of a primitive tribe). However, the
generally accepted view is the one associated with Sundari trees.
History of the Sundarbans:
The history of the area
can be traced back to 200–300 AD. A ruin of a city built by Chand Sadagar has
been found in the Baghmara Forest Block. During the Mughal period, the Mughal
Kings leased the forests of the Sundarbans to nearby residents. Many criminals
took refuge in the Sundarbans from the advancing armies of Emperor Akbar. Many
have been known to be attacked by tigers. Many of the buildings which were
built by them later fell to hands of Portuguese pirates, salt smugglers and
dacoits in the 17th century. Evidence of the fact can be traced from the ruins
at Netidhopani and other places scattered all over Sundarbans The legal status
of the forests underwent a series of changes, including the distinction of
being the first mangrove forest in the world to be brought under scientific
management. The area was mapped first in Persian, by the Surveyor General as
early as 1764 following soon after proprietary rights were obtained from the
Mughal Emperor Alamgir II by the British East India Company in 1757. Systematic
management of this forest tract started in the 1860s after the establishment of
a Forest Department in the Province of Bengal, in British India. The management
was entirely designed to extract whatever treasures were available, but labour
and lower management mostly were staffed by locals, as the British had no
expertise or adaptation experience in mangrove forests.
The first Forest
Management Division to have jurisdiction over the Sundarbans was established in
1869. In 1875 a large portion of the mangrove forests was declared as reserved
forests under the Forest Act, 1865 (Act VIII of 1865). The remaining portions
of the forests were declared a reserve forest the following year and the
forest, which was so far administered by the civil administration district, was
placed under the control of the Forest Department. A Forest Division, which is
the basic forest management and administration unit, was created in 1879 with
the headquarters in Khulna, Bangladesh. The first management plan was written
for the period 1893–98.
In 1911, it was
described as a tract of waste country which had never been surveyed nor had the
census been extended to it. It then stretched for about 266 kilometres
(165 mi) from the mouth of the Hugli to the mouth of the Meghna river and
was bordered inland by the three settled districts of the 24 Parganas, Khulna and
Bakerganj.
The total area (including water) was estimated at 16,900 square
kilometres
(6,526 sq mi). It was a water-logged jungle, in which
tigers and other wild beasts abounded. Attempts at reclamation had not been
very successful. The Sundarbans was everywhere intersected by river channels
and creeks, some of which afforded water communication throughout the Bengal
region both for steamers and for native ships.
Species in Sundarbans:
The species listed
below represent a small sample of iconic and/or IUCN Red Listed animals and
plants found in the property. Clicking on the number in brackets next to the
species will reveal other World Heritage Properties in which a species has been
identified. These species are identified in an effort to better communicate the
biological diversity contained within World Heritage properties inscribed under
criteria ix and/or x.
Amoora cucullata /
Amur
Avicennia
officinalis / Indian Mangrove
Axis porcinus / Hog
Deer
Batagur baska /
Four-toed Terrapin
Bos frontalis /
Gaur
Bruguiera
gymnorhiza / Oriental Mangrove
Bubalus bubalis /
Water Buffalo
Bubo bubo /
Eurasian Eagle-owl
Carapa obovata /
Cannonball Mangrove
Ceriops decandra /
Goran
Source: UNESCO
Source: UNESCO
Tourist Spot in Sundarbans :
As a UNSCO world heritage
it has number of beautiful and pleasant natural tourism spots. Among them the
following are very much striking:
- Sundarbans national park: Sundarban National park is one of the heritage site in sundarban. The Sundarban National Park is a National Park, Tiger Reserve, and a Biosphere Reserve in West Bengal, India. It is part of the Sundarbans on the Ganges Delta, and adjacent to the Sundarbans Reserve Forest in Bangladesh. The delta is densely covered by mangrove forests, and is one of the largest reserves for the Bengal tiger. It is also home to a variety of bird, reptile and invertebrate species, including the salt-water crocodile. The present Sundarbans National Park was declared as the core area of Sundarbans Tiger Reserve in 1973 and a wildlife sanctuary in 1977. On 4 May 1984 it was declared a National Park.
- Kotka Beach: Katka is one of Heritage sites in Sunderban. Katka a base for safaris, and well spot to see tigers and for bird-watching. Katka is well known for many rare and majestic wild animals. At Katka, one can see many precious wild animals right from tigers to deer and also varieties of birds and many kinds of monkeys. Here one can hear the natures’ music mixed with the wild fowls in the mornings and evenings. For those interested in wildlife trekking, the vast expanse of grassy meadows running from Katka to Kachikhali (Tiger Point) is an ideal route. Don’t miss this place if you are an adventurous tourist.
- Hiron Point : Hiron Point is another tourist spot in Sunderban. It is called the world heritage state. Hiron Point is a graceful spot, great for spotting tigers and other spectacular and rare wildlife animals. Also known as Nilkamal, it is well-known for tiger, deer, monkey, crocodiles and many precious birds. Often they are looking out their. This place attracts many tourists owing to its natural beauty and connate splendor. This is a place to have a look at the rare species of wild animals and birds, to be noted in the diary of bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts.Every visitors can Enjoy their time by watching this beautiful sinary of the nature.
- Dublar Char Island : Dublar Char, a beautiful island known for its picturesque scenes, is famous for fishing and is a place for fishermen with abundant of fish fauna. One can enjoy the fishing here and have a first hand experience of this fun filled activity.The Island has all the natural beauty of any other places of the world renowned Islands. On the eastern side of this island, River Passur flows, while on the western side River Shibsha. In addition, this island is known for its beautiful views. The Island has all the natural beauty of any of the world distinguished Islands. It is an attractive island where herds of spotted deer are often seen to graze. A casual walk around the Island provides the tourist with the chance of spotting many wild animals. With water all around and with lots of fish fauna, Dublar Char offers unique experience to the enthusiastic visitors.
How to go Sundarbans:
Water transport is the only means of
communication for visiting the Sundarbans from Khulna or Mongla Port. Private
motor launch, speedboats, country boats as well as mechanized vessel of Mongla
Port Authority might be hired for the purpose. From Dhaka visitors may travel
by air, road or rocket steamer to Khulna – the gateway to the Sundarbans. Most
pleasant journey from Dhaka to Khulna is by Paddle Steamer, Rocket presenting a
picturesque panorama of rural Bangladesh. Day and nightlong coach services by
road are also available. The quickest mode is by air.
Permission from the Divisional Forest
Officer (DFO), Khulna is required to visit the forest. Tourists are also
advised to carry supplies of anti-malarial and anti-diarrhoeal medicines,
insectrepellent cream, drinking water, green coconut, medical kit, light
tropical dress and thick rubber soled boots. It will be wise to take the help
of an experienced guide for a truly enjoyable journey.
Best time to visit the Sundarbans is
from November to March. Exciting honey collection season is during April-May.
Hunting is prohibited by law in the country for the preservation of wildlife.
Certain species of birds, however, can be shot with prior permission of the
Divisional Forest Officer, Khulna, It varies depending on tides against or in
favour in the river. Usually it takes 6 to 10 hours journey by motor vessel
from Mongla to Hiron Point or Katka.
Prior permission must be obtained
through written application from the Divisional Forest Office, Circuit House
Road, Khulna to visit the Sundarbans. Required entrance fees for visitors,
vessel or boat payable at the relevant forest station/range office. Forest
Department Rest-House located here. Prior booking essential.
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