Divided between India and Bangladesh the estuary is called as Sunderbans on both sides. It is an amazing mix of land and aquatic habitats where the tides rule the roots. The emerging aerobic roots are the highlight of this ecosystem that gets full of slush in low and is completely submerged on high tide.
In Hindi Sunderban means beautiful mangrove forests, beautiful yes but one of the most difficult terrains on Earth. Life here is a tough prospect, the delta that eventually merges into the Indian Ocean. Slush, poodles emerging aerobic roots like daggers and thick canopy always hamper movement but offers great camouflage to the predators be they the tiger or the deadly salt water crocodile.
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| Bengal Tiger |
The term Bengal tiger originated here. The mangrove forests belong to West Bengal State of India and hence their proliferation first noticed here named then after the State. This happened during the rule of British in undivided India.
Today more than two hundred tigers survive in this delta a confluence of three rivers namely Ganges, Meghna and Brahmaputra. These are the lifeline of this ecosystem and eventually merge into the sea.
Adapting to ever changing environment is a constant struggle and hardship especially for the tigers. Though the incidence of man eating is higher here not reason is attributed to the phenomenon. This could be due to the intrusion of humans in the thickets for homey collection and fishes which invites attack due to closer presence of the big cats while many attribute it to salt water. Well no exact reason has been found out but nevertheless intrusion is being prevented and steps are being taken to ameliorate.
Sunderbans National Park is a protected area in Bengal and is also notified as tiger reserve and a biosphere reserve. Tourism is organized here in twenty percent of the area. Subject to rules and regulation the activity offers good chance of sighting big cats and large number of mammals and reptiles that live here. The reserve is home to a large of avian species and a paradise for birders.
A miss-mesh aquatic system of rivers, creeks and wetlands the habitat is strikingly different from other tiger habitats in India. Four tourists the access point is Kolkutta the Capital of West Bengal from here two hours drive is required to reach the National Park. A cruise is an ideal way to explore this aquatic system.
For wildlife enthusiasts the boat safari in Sunderbans is the only way to experience it. There are many tour operators who organize the safari for visitors. The excursions can be booked online as well.
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