Asian Current

Sunderbans - Worlds Largest Mangrove Forest - Abode Of The Hungry Tiger

Sunderbans - Worlds Largest Mangrove Forest - Abode Of The Hungry TigerThere is no other way to depict the glare of a Sunderban Royal Bengal Tiger excepting through William Blake’s famous lines - “Tiger! Tiger! Burning bright/In the forest of the night.”

The intensity of the fierce eyes, the majestic stare of the burning eyeballs and the look of sneer and contempt make this formidable feline an outstanding royal entity. If you are a wildlife enthusiast or even a nature lover, you must come and visit Sunderban Tiger Reserve to face this king of Indian jungles in its own domain. For it is said, the Royal Bengal Tiger is at home here in the Sunderbans - some even feel that the tiger behaves differently here, and so is unpredictable.

Set in the delta of the Ganges and the Bramhaputra, the two mighty rivers of India, the largest estuarine delta in the world, the Sunderbans is awash with innumerable streams and rivulets where the tide rules. Also, the largest mangrove forest in the world, Sunderbans is home to many species of animals, birds and reptiles. The Royal Bengal Tiger stalks supreme over this delta where he is the undisputed king.

Spreading over a series of densely forested islands and salt-water channels, Sunderbans is home to the spotted deer, wild boar, rhesus monkeys, jungle cats, civet cat, herons, kingfishers, monitor lizards, egrets, white-bellied eagles, Olive Ridley turtles, estuarine crocodiles, river dolphins, water monitors, King Cobras and around 270 Royal Bengal Tigers, and surprisingly, many among them are man-eaters. Migratory birds fill the marshes during winter and the early mornings are alive with the shrill screeches of the whistling teals.

Some say the man-eating habit is due to drinking salt water, there being perpetual dearth of sweet water and scarcity of open space to stalk prey animals. Cubs being fed on human kills could also induce adult animals to become man-eaters.

There is no motorway inside the forest, and the only way to see wildlife is by traveling in motorboats or launches. The West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDC) has guided tours, usually covering two to three nights on board steamers and launches for viewing wildlife. Chances are that you may see the king in action right from the deck of the steamer.

Since Royal Bengal Tigers are adept in swimming, the launches are anchored in mid-river during the night and armed patrols keep constant watch at the shoreline for the security of the passengers and crew. There are watchtowers at several places where tourists are guided through heavy gauge wire nettings to ward off accidental tiger assault.

How to reach

Only 130 km’s from Calcutta, it is connected by road to the nearest jetty from which a hired boat takes tourists to a Tourist Lodge within the Reserve.

Where to stay

The only available accommodation is the state run Sundar Chital Tourist Lodge at Sajnekhali that has boarding and lodging provisions for 50. Amenities are quite basic actually but since it is within the forest, and the tiger with its mysteries surround you always, it does not work as a handicap.

Permits for foreigners

Permits are available from the office of the Forest Department in Calcutta.

Best time to visit

The forest is open for visitors from October to March. However, winter months are considered best, as the tropical heat is minimal then. So, a visit between the months of December and February are ideal for Sunderbans.