Makemytrip :: Wildlife

In West Bengal, the Ganga and Hoogly Rivers attain an almost sea-like expanse spreading across thousands of kilometers of land before splitting into hundreds of tributaries. As the raging waters calm down, they deposit silt on the banks. On constant accumulation, the silt turns into vast islands known as the Gangetic Deltas. Moist throughout the year, the Deltas provide ideal conditions for the growth of Sundari trees. This mangrove forest cover, known as the Sundarbans region is where the Sundarbans National Park is situated.

Home to a wide variety of birds and animals, the most notable residents of the Park are undoubtedly the Royal Bengal Tigers, over 400 in number. The Park is also where one of the most successful Project Tiger programs.

The Park can only be visited after obtaining a permit from the Divisional Forest Office in the area.

Location:	Piyali, West Bengal
Area covered:	1330 sq. kms
Wildlife:	Royal Bengal Tiger, Bengal Fox, Spotted Deer, Rhesus Macaque, Wild Boar, Fishing Cat, Golden Jackal, Small Indian Civet, Crocodile, Shark, Ganges Dolphin and Olive Ridley Sea Turtle, among others. Bird species include Heron, Egret, Cormorant, Fishing Eagle, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Seagull, Tern, Kingfisher and Whistling Teal, among others.
When to go:	The ideal time to visit the Sanctuary is during the months of September and March.

As the Sunderbans is marshland, parts of the Park can be see from boats that make their way through riverine waterways.

Air:	The nearest airport is Calcutta, at 112 kms.
Rail:	Canning is nearest railhead, at a distance of 48 kms.
Road:	Buses run to Namkhana, Raidighi, Sonakhali and Najat from where motor launch services are available for the Sunderbans. Other embarkation points from Calcutta are Namkhana (105 kms), Sonakhali (100 kms), Raidighi (76 kms), Canning (64 kms) and Najat (92 kms).