Sundarbans National Park

History & Overview

The Sundarbans is the largest delta in the world. Here, the 2 mightiest rivers of India - Brahmaputra & Ganges - along with the river Meghna, drain their waters into the Bay of Bengal thus creating the world’s largest mangrove forest and a biodiversity hotspot. The word “Sundarbans” comes from the mangrove species Heritiera minor locally known as Sundari. This habitat is made up of 56 islands of mangrove forest which harbours countless species whose behaviour is rooted in the tidal patterns of the area.

Not only a home for wildlife, the Sundarbans delta also provides for almost 4 million people, many of whom visit the forest daily for firewood and honey collection. Accounts of conflict with man-eating Royal Bengal Tigers are chilling and it gives the otherwise gentleman-like tiger, a notorious reputation.

It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Tiger Reserve and an Important Bird Area of the world and over 300 bird species, 40 mammal species, 35 Reptiles Species & 08 amphibian species have been recorded here in these 10000 sq.km of forest. To see a Tiger here is like no other in India, the swampy, dense and dark environs of the Sundarbans gives an aura of a mysterious realm and an experience truly unique.