14 April,2011 07:16 AM IST | | The Trip Team
Apart from the chance to spot the elusive tiger, the incomparable flora and fauna of the Sunderbans is a stunning natural spectacle , when you set out on a boat trail
Fancy coming face to face with Sher Khan in a mangrove forest, with nowhere to run or hide. If this translates into your ultimate wildlife fantasy, we suggest you sign up for a jungle trail through the largest stretch of mangroves in the world. One of the biggest attractions in this largely estuarine forest is the Royal Bengal Tiger that inhabits this 2,585 sq km sanctuary.
Indian forestry workers look on as a male Royal Bengal Tiger leaps off
a boat into the water after being released back into the wild in the Chamta
Forest District of The Sunderbans, some 150 miles (240 kilometers)
south of Kolkata. PIC/AFP
The saline, watery environment coupled with the fact that tigers are excellent swimmers ensure that these mangroves have remained a safe abode for this big cat. Exploring these mangroves by boat can be quite a thrilling experience.
Due to its inaccessibility to the average camera-wielding tourist, it remains largely unspoiltu00a0-- a departure from the typically overcrowded Indian national park. Apart from the tiger, one can also spot the Gangetic Dolphin, Little Porpoise,u00a0 Indian Fox, Jungle Cat, Rhesus Monkey and the Spotted Deer. This sanctuary, which comprises of swamps and forested islands that interweave through small rivers and rivulets is home to plenty of avian company too.
The bird sanctuary at Sajnekhali within the National Park includes the Spotted Billed Pelican, Caspian Tern, Grey Heron, Large Egret, Night Heron, Open-Billed Stork, White Ibis, Common Kingfisher, Brahmini Kite and Paradise Flycatcher.
The core area has been designated as a UNSESCO World Heritage site. The best time to visit this natural spectacle is from December through May. Avoid visiting during the monsoons.
Log on to www.westbengaltourism.gov.in
