Sundarbans National Park

Sundarbans National Park has a distinctive geography that is one factor that attracts tourists, among other activities. The park is a piece of the most significant delta in the world and is where the most extensive mangrove forests are found. A staggering variety of flora and wildlife can be found in its salty seas, mudflats, and trees. They give this place its unique characteristics, combined with the greenery and the mystery that is revealed with each visit. Rivers, islands, and communities are all within the enormous Sunderbans. Due to the diversity of the mangrove ecology, the Sunderban National Park serves as a biosphere reserve, national park, and tiger reserve all at once. The Sunderbans are a large delta spanning 40,000 square kilometers between Bangladesh and India! Just so you know how big it truly is, think about this. It stretches from the River Hooghly in West Bengal, India, to the River Baleswar in Bangladesh.

Quick Fact
The Sundarbans’ largest and final inhabited island is Gosaba, which is 13 feet above sea level (Indian part). It is located at the beginning of the dense woodland reserve. The island has its panchayat, schools, hospitals, local self-government, and more despite being cut off from the mainland.

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    BEST TIME TO VISIT SUNDARBANS NATIONAL PARK

    SUMMER SEASON

    (March – June)

    The Sundarban National Park region experiences hot, muggy summers that are often unpleasant. Most visitors and locals attempt to avoid visiting the national park during this time of year. The range of summertime temperatures is 30 to 42°C. The area also faces a water deficit in the summer. Extreme heat waves can also present themselves along with high temperatures. These factors work together to make sighting animals with an unaided eye more challenging because they, especially tigers, seek cover under towering trees.

    MONSOON SEASON

    (July – September)

    June through September are monsoon months, which bring a lot of rain to the region. After the sweltering months, the monsoon rains revive the delta. As a result, the mangroves, another well-known feature of the park, flourish and enjoy the showers. Rainfall during these months provides relief from the summer heat for animals as well. Moreover, the temperature drops to a comfortable 25 to 35°C. 

    WINTER SEASON

    (October to March)

    The best time to see the splendor of the Sundarban National Park is in the winter. This is because the environment in the winter months is relatively comfortable and even offers relief to the animals residing on the grounds. In contrast, summers and monsoons are characterized by oppressive heat and humidity. Therefore, now is the most significant time to discover the woodlands and take in the area’s natural splendor. As the animals and bird species emerge from hiding, tourists will have a greater chance of spotting them.

    HOW TO REACH SUNDARBANS NATIONAL PARK

     
    The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, which is situated in Kolkata, the state capital of West Bengal, is the closest airport to the Sundarbans National Park. The airport is 120 km from Godkhali Port, where the Sundarbans’ safari journey begins. Also, you can hire a taxi to travel the approximately three-hour distance from the Kolkata airport to Godkhali.
    Canning Railway Station is the closest small railway station, and Sealdah Railway Station is the closest major railway station. One of West Bengal’s most important railroad junctions, Sealdah is connected by regular trains to several Indian cities and is situated on the major rail line of the northeast railway zone.

    Hence, you can travel to the Sealdah railway junction from other parts of India and then take the local trains from Sealdah, which will take around an hour of train travel, to get to the Canning railway station. Also, you can use a shared or private taxi to get to Godkhali’s Sundarban entry point and catch a boat from Canning.

    Travelers who want to travel by road can either hire a private taxi to drive directly from Kolkata to Godkhali or they can take public transportation from Kolkata to Canning and then from Canning to Godkhali. Given the congested public transit system, it is preferable to use a private car. Godkhali and Canning are about 120 miles and 64 km by road from Kolkata, respectively. You can board a boat at Godkhali to continue your jungle exploration.

    TIPS FOR SUNDARBANS NATIONAL PARK

    • Foreigners require permission and a current passport to enter Sundarbans National Park. The West Bengal Tourist Office in Kolkata and the Forest Department at Sajnekhali issue permits. (Contact us to get everything arranged.)
    • All park zones charge a boat entry fee, and each boat must have a guide on board.
    • Bring warm clothing if you’re traveling during the cool and dry months of November through February.
    • Expect hot, muggy weather during the summer (March through June) and rainy weather with the monsoon season from July through September.
    • In this area, all plastic is prohibited, yet it has been challenging to enforce this law. So, it is recommended not to litter.
    • As there are no ATMs in the park, bring sufficient cash.
    • Most visitors stay in Sundarbans for at least one night. Nevertheless, if you visit longer, you’ll have more time to travel, explore the villages on foot or by bicycle, go bird watching, and even attend cultural events.

    FAQs

    Why is Sundarbans National Park famous?

    The severely endangered endemic river terrapin, the Ganges and Irrawaddy dolphins, the Royal Bengal Tiger, and other internationally endangered species depend on the Sundarbans (like Batagur baska turtle). For the Panthera tigris tigris species, the region is the only mangrove habitat on the planet.

    Where are Sundarbans located?

    10,000 square kilometers of land and water make up the Sundarbans in the Ganges delta, with more than half of that area located in India and the remaining in Bangladesh. It has the largest area of mangrove forests on the entire planet.

    What is the entry fee for Sundarbans?

    The forest ranger may grant a request to extend the permit’s validity beyond its initial 5-day period. Entrance Fees: Indian citizens must pay a 60 INR entrance fee, while foreign visitors must pay 200 INR (the prices may change at the time of booking).

    Are lions found in Sundarbans?

    No, Bengal tigers and the other species described in the article can be found in the Sundarbans jungle; there are no lions.