Page 294 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

292  EASTERN INDIA

4 The Sunderbans

The vast Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta stretching
into Bangladesh covers some 105,000 sq km
(40,541 sq miles) and has the world’s largest
tropical mangrove forest. The Sunderbans Reserve,
which spreads across 2,585 sq km (998 sq miles),
was created within the delta and declared a Tiger
Reserve in 1973 to protect the endangered Royal Fiddler Crabs
Bengal tiger. A part of the reserve houses the Male fiddler crabs have a Kolkata Kolkata
Sundarbans National Park, a UNESCO World large claw resembling a bow
Heritage Site covering 1,330 sq km (514 sq miles). and fiddle, which they use Canning
to attract females and
The intricate network of waterways, creeks and deter enemies.
alluvial islands abounds in a variety of marine life,
including crustaceans and dolphins, as well as
reptiles such as Olive Ridley turtles and estuarine
crocodiles. Birds such as waterfowl can be seen Diamond Harbour Basanti
here. Guided boats are available. Gosaba
Jaynagar-Majilpur
Sajnakhali Jhila
BANGLADESH
Arbesi
Khatuajhuri
Raidighi Panchamukhani
Harinbhanga

Netidhopani
Kachuberia
Chandkhali
Chamta R ai m a ngal
M a t l a Harinb h anga
Mangrove Forests Matla
Renowned for their variety of mangroves, Sagar
the Sunderbans were once dominated Island Goashaba
by the sundari tree (Heritiera fomes), now Gosaba Gona
nearly extinct due to rampant timber Chotahardi
poaching. Mangroves have ingeniously Lothian Halliday
Island
adapted to flooding and salinity, using Saptamukhi J a m i r a Island
breathing roots or pneumatophores. Ganga Sagar
Digha
Mayadwip
Bakkhali Bhangaduni

More to See
The western boundary of the
Sunderbans boasts a number of popular
beaches and reserves, all of which can
be reached by road or boat. Ganga
Sagar, on Sagar Island, is the spot where
millions of pilgrims gather for the annual
Ganga Sagar Mela (see p299) during
Makar Sankranti in January. Diamond
Country Boats Harbour is a popular picnic spot, while
Small rowboats, available from Sajnakhali, take visitors along Bakkhali and Digha have beautiful
the reserve’s many waterways. These craft are preferable to beaches and are popular resorts.
the noisier motorboats that tend to scare away wildlife, Bakkhali is also a haven for birdlife.
especially the rich variety of waterfowl.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp697–8 and p711

292-293_EW_India.indd 292 26/04/17 11:45 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.7)
Date 24th April 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm