Sundarban -The largest
mangrove forest in the world situated mostly in Bangladesh. A small portion of
it lies in India. The Indian part of the forest is estimated to be about 19%
while the Bangladesh part is 81%. It is in the south west part of Bangladesh
and the area is about 5725 square kilometers.
The word Sundarban
means the Beautiful Jungle or Forest and it may be come from the Sundari Trees,
that grown in Sundarban at a large in number. Beside the dazzling expands of
green, the blue heaven overhead meeting the horizon and the illusive coastal
beach, one can turned into an indescribable dreamy arena. It is not the end,
there is the own lifestyle of the fishermen and other forest dwellers. The
forest dwellers gradually developed a culture of their own, having an isolated
life from the main stream. Professionals like fishing, honey collection etc.
are unique of the area. Gathering wild honey in the wildness is among the
oldest professions practiced by the dwellers of the area and still practiced in
the traditional ways. Honey hunters' community lives along the borderline of
the western forests are mostly destitute day laborer. Sundarban is a variegated
playground of human civilization with its large forests, various creation,
tradition, culture and history.
You could catch
yourself a fun ride by a small boat, if you are interested to having more
adventure. The mystery of the forest shattered often by the chirping birds,
deer and monkeys that are the common fauna of the giant mangrove land.
Just staying there in a
moonlit night can make you have the fascinating experience of being reborn. But
it is difficult to travel in the dense of the forest, A well equipped vessel is
needed to be able to swan around in this barren land ran through by rivers and
rivulets. Better if you have a skilled tour operator who can guide you through
the splendor of the Sundarbans.
The national animal of
Bangladesh “The Royal Bengal Tiger” (Panthera tigris), a rare species in the
globe, is available here. According to wild fund, the forest contains 400
tigers and 0.20 million spotted deer, about 120 species of Fishes and more than
370 species of Birds, minimum 50 species of reptiles. The Sundarban now
supports the only Estuarine or salty water Crocodile in Bangladesh. Besides,
the Sundarban contains a large number of biodiversity including a number of
rare species. There are three wildlife sanctuary areas named- 'Kotka-Kachikhali
Tiger Point', 'Hiron-Point' and 'Manderbaria'. The Sundarban has been declared
as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1999.
In the forest, Hundreds
of canals pass through this mysterious jungle like a web. During high tide it
is possible for the tourists to travel inside the deep of the forest. The
exciting scenery of tiger swimming across the river at night could be
im-memorable for any tourist of the world.
Since the present,
different number of tourist spots are discovered, shortly described in the
following-
Hiron Point – is
commonly known as ‘Nilkamal’. It is 80 km away from the Mongla port. It
is famous for Sunrise and Sunset watching. You can avail guest house
facilities of Mongla port and Forest department here.
Katka - is in the south
of the east sanctuary and south east corner of Shronkhola forest range
and 100 km. away from Mongla sea port. There is a rest house
at kotka. There is a wooden watching tower at Jamtala from where you can enjoy
the scenic beauty of Sunderban like herd of deer, monkeys, and swine. Varieties
symphony of birds and other wild fowls are available in Katka. If you are
lucky enough you may also met royal Bengal tiger here. Radio
communication is available here in the forest station. Katka is one of
the heritage sites in Sunderban.
Kachikhali - is an
isolated sea beach in a deep forest of Sundarban adjacent to the Kotka
tiger point . You can find pond, open green field, deer, monkey, snakes and
other reptiles and varieties of birds here. There is a tourist rest house and
forest office here.
Dublar Char (Island) - Famous
for fishermen. It is a beautiful island where hundreds of spotted deer, monkeys
and swine are often seen to grazing. It is s an island (char) raised from the
Bay of Bengal which is situated at the end of the southern part of east
sanctuary, 25 km south west of the Kotka tiger point and 35 km in
the south east of Nilkamal on the estuary of the river. In the eve of
Rash Purnima (full moon) festival of the Hindu community, huge
number of tourists visits the spot. People of Hindu community take bath in the
sea on the occasion. The area is covered with wide green field, Sea Lake etc.
Here you can observe the technique of dry fish processing. ‘Mowali’
(local name of the honey collectors) take shelter here during the season of
honey collection. There is also a cyclone shelter and a forest station in
Dublarchar.
Tin Kona Island - Famous
for a number tiger and deer.
For the research
related person of Flora and Fauna, the lover of nature, the poet and the
painter, even if you are not a lover of nature, this land provides a variety of
wonder and the mystery of the forest will call you again and again. Its beauty
lies in its unique natural surrounding. Thousands of meandering streams,
creeks, rivers and estuaries have enhanced its charm. It changes its
beauties with tidal surge. If you visit the forest once, you will realize why
you should be there at least once in a life.
It is must to take
permission from the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Khulna to visit the forest
from Bangladesh part. It may be a wise decision to take the help of an
experienced guide to explore the mysteries forest. For permission and guide
support one may contact with the Bangladesh Tourism Board.
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