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In
the south-western part of Bangladesh, in the district of
greater Khulna, lies the Sundarbans, the beautiful
forest. It is a virgin forest which until recently owed
nothing to human endeavour and yet nature has laid it
out with as much care as a planned pleasure ground. For
miles and miles, the lofty treetops form an unbroken
canopy, while nearer the ground, works of high and
ebb-tide marked on the soil and tree trunks and the many
varieties of the natural mangrove forest have much to
offer to an inquisitive visitor.
Here land
and water meet in many novel fashions, Wildlife presents
many a spectacle. No wonder, you may come across a Royal
Bengal Tiger swimming across the streams or the
crocodiles basking on the river banks. With the approach
of the evening herds of deer make for the darking glades
where boisterous monkeys shower Keora leaves from above
for sumptuous meal for the former. For the botanist, the
lover of nature, the poet and the painter this land
provides a variety of wonder for which they all crave.
The
Sundarbans is a cluster of islands with an approximate
area of 6000 sq. km. forming the largest block of
littoral forests. It's beauty lies in its unique natural
surrounding. Thousands of meandering streams, creeks,
rivers and estuaries have enhanced its charm. Sundarbans
meaning beautiful forest is the natural habital of the
world famous Royal Bengal Tiger, spotted deer,
crocodiles, jungle fowl, wild boar, lizards, theses
monkey and an innumerable variety of beautiful birds.
Migratory flock of Siberian ducks flying over thousands
of sail boats loaded with timber, golpatta (round-leaf),
fuel wood, honey, shell and fish further add to the
serene natural beauty of the Sundarbans.
This is
indeed a land for the sportsmen, the anglers and the
photographers with its abundance of game, big and small,
crocodile, wild boar, deer, pythons, wild-birds and
above all the Royal Bengal Tiger, cunning, ruthless and
yet majestic and graceful, For the less adventurously
inclined, there are ducks and snipes, herons and coots,
yellow-lags and sandpipers. It is also the land for the
ordinary holiday makers who desire to rest or wander
around at will to refresh their mind and feast their
eyes with the rich treasure that nature has so fondly
bestowed.
General
Information
AREA
Nearly 2400 sq. miles or 6000 sq. km.
FOREST
LIMITS
North-Bagerhat, Khulna and Sathkira districts :
South-Bay of Bengal; East-Baleswar (or Haringhata)
river, Perojpur, Barisal district, and West-Raimangal
and Hariabhanga rivers which partially form Bangladesh
boundary with West Bengal in India.
MAIN
ATTRACTIONS
Wildlife photography including photography of the
famous Royal Bengal Tiger, wildlife viewing, boating
inside the forest will call recordings, nature study,
meeting fishermen, wood-cutters and honey-collectors,
peace and tranquility in the wilderness, seeing the
world's largest mangrove forest and the riverine beauty.
FAMOUS
SPOTS
Hiron Point (Nilkamal) for tiger, deer, monkey,
crocodiles, birds and natural beauty.
Katka
for deer, tiger, crocodiles, varieties of birds and
monkey, morning and evening symphony of wild fowls. Vast
expanse of grassy meadows running from Katka to
Kachikhali (Tiger Point) provide opportunities for wild
tracking.
Tin
Kona Island for tiger and deer.
Dublar
Char (Island) for fishermen. It is a beautiful
island where herds of spotted deer are often seen to
graze.
Means of
Communication
Water transport is the only means of communication
for visiting the Sundarbans from Khulna or Mongla Port.
Private motor launch, speed boats, country boats as well
as mechanised 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
night-long coach services by road are also available.
The quickest mode is by air from Dhaka to Jessore and
then to Khulna by road.
Journey
time
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.
Accommodation Inside the forest
Hiron Point : Comfortable three-storied Rest-House
of the Mongla Port Authority. Prior booking is to be
made.
Katka : Forest Department Rest-House located here.
Prior booking essential.
Journey
by Rocket Steamer to Mongla and Khulna
Minimum Journey time is 22 Hours for Mongla and 24
Hours for Khulna from Dhaka.
Entry
Permission
Prior permission must be obtained through written
application from the Divisional Forest Office, Circuit
House Road, Khulna (Phone 20665, 211731) to visit the
Sundarbans. Required entrance fees for visitors, vessel
or boat payable at the relevant forest station/range
office.
Guided
Tours
Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, National Tourism
Organization offers all-inclusive guided package fours
from Dhaka to Sundarbans and return during the tourist
season (October to March). Group size Minimum 12 pax.
For rates
and booking please contact:
Manager (Tours), Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, 233,
Airport Road, Tejgaon, Dhaka-1212, Phone: 817855-59, Fax
: 880-2-817235.
Climate
Climate in the Sundarbans is moderate. Air is humid.
Full monsoon is from June to September. The annual
rainfall average between 65" and 70". During ebb-tide
the forest becomes bare by 6-7 feet and at high tide (30
miles and hour) the entire territory of the forest
floats on water.
Life in
Forest
Only means of transportation inside the forest is
boat. There is no road, no trail of a path anywhere. The
wood-cutters make temporary dwellings at the edge of the
forest at a height of 8-10 feet for fear of wild animals
others live on boats. In the chandpai region it is
fascinating to see the nomadic fishermen (living with
families on boats) catching fish with the help of
trained offers. Exciting activities take place in Dublar
Char in the forest where fishermen from Chittagong
gather for four months (mid Oct. to mid Feb.) to catch
and dry fish. But the most daring and exciting of all
activities is presented by the honey-collectors who work
in groups for just two months (April-May) and it is
interesting to see how they locate a hive and then
collect honey.
Flora and
Fauna
The Sundarbans is endowed by nature with rich flora and
fauna. It is a wonderful place to see or to shoot a
Royal Bengal Tiger with Camera if one has the time to
wait in the forest. There are a good number of tigers in
the Sundarbans. Lovely spotted deer are easy to find.
Besides there are a wide variety of wildlife for which
the Sundarbans is so famous.
Visit to
the Forest
Permission from the Division Forest Officer, Khulna
is required to visit to the forest. Cholera vaccine is
to be taken well in advance. Anti-malarial, anti-diarrhoeal,
insectrepellent cream, drinking water, green coconuts,
medical kit, light tropical dress, thick rubber soled
boots etc. are to be carried with the tourist. It will
be wise to take the help of an experienced guide to make
the journey fruitful.
Khulna
Khulna is the third biggest industrial city of the
country. It is a divisional headquarter which serves as
a gateway to the seaport of mongla and the Sundarbans.
Khulna is also famous for shrimp processing and
newsprint.
Bagerhat
This little town is 40 km. south-east of khulna on the
northern fringes of the Sundarbans. It is a district
headquarters, Bagerhat is famous for Shait-gumbad mosque
(60-domed) built in 1459 and shrine of the Muslim mystic
Khan Jahan Ali.
Mongla
Mongla is the second seaport of the country and gateway
to the Sundarbans. It lies 38 km. to the south of Khulna.
The port authority has got motor launches to go to the
forest.
Tourist
season & Shooting
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, (Phone : 20665 &
21173).
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