Sundarbans National Park^a
UNESCO World Heritage Site

State Party	India
Type	Natural
Criteria	ix, x
Identification	#452
Regionb	Asia-Pacific
Inscription History UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945. ... A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a specific site (such as a forest, mountain, lake, desert, monument, building, complex, or city) that has been nominated and confirmed for inclusion on the list maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 State... As of 2006, there are a total of 830 World Heritage Sites located in 138 State Parties. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_India. ... A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a specific site (such as a forest, mountain, lake, desert, monument, building, complex, or city) that has been nominated and confirmed for inclusion on the list maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 State... This is a list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Asia, Australia and the Pacific (Australasia). ...
Formal Inscription:	1987 11th Session
a Name as officially inscribed on the WH List b As classified officially by UNESCO A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a specific site (such as a forest, mountain, lake, desert, monument, building, complex, or city) that has been nominated and confirmed for inclusion on the list maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 State...

Sundarbans National Park Sundarbans NP Sundarbans NP (India)
IUCN Category Ia (Strict Nature Reserve)
Location:	West Bengal, India
Nearest city:	Gosaba
Coordinates:	21°56′42″N, 88°53′45″E
Area:	1330.12 km²
Established:	1984
Total Visitation:	NA (in 2005)
Governing body:	Government of India, Government of West Bengal

The Sundarbans National Park (Bengali: সুন্দরবন জাতীয় উদ্দ্যান) is a National Park, Tiger Reserve, UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve located in the Sundarbans delta in Indian state of West Bengal. This region is densely covered by mangrove forests, and is one of the largest reserves of the Bengal tiger. It is also home to a variety of bird, reptile and invertebrate species, including the salt-water crocodile. Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Locator_Dot. ... The World Conservation Union or International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is an international organization dedicated to natural resource conservation. ... A nature reserve (natural reserve, nature preserve, natural preserve) is an area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research. ... West Bengal   (Bengali: পশ্চিমবঙ্গ, Poshchimbôŋgo) is a state in eastern India. ... 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Government of India (Hindi: भारत सरकार Bhārat Sarkār), officially referred to as the Union Government, and commonly as Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of a federal union of 28 states and 7 union territories, collectively called the Republic of India. ... The Government of West Bengal also known as the State Government of West Bengal, or locally as State Government, is the supreme governing authority of the Indian state of West Bengal and its 19 districts. ... Bengali or Bangla (বাংলা, IPA: ) is an Indo-Aryan language of the eastern Indian subcontinent, evolved from Prakrit, Pāli and Sanskrit. ... Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales, UK A national park is a reserve of land, usually declared and owned by a national government, protected from most human development and pollution. ... For the documentary series aired on Doordarshan, see Sanctuary Films The Royal Bengal Tiger. ... Elabana Falls is in Lamington National Park, part of the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves World Heritage site in Queensland, Australia. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Ganges River Delta, Bangladesh and India The Sundarbans delta is the largest mangrove forest in the world. ... Nile River delta, as seen from Earth orbit. ... West Bengal   (Bengali: পশ্চিমবঙ্গ, Poshchimbôŋgo) is a state in eastern India. ... Above and below water view at the edge of the mangal. ... Temperate rainforest on Northern Slopes of the Alborz mountain ranges, Iran A dense growth of softwoods (a conifer forest) in the Sierra Nevada Range of Northern California A decidous broadleaf (Beech) forest in Slovenia. ... Trinomial name Panthera tigris tigris (Linnaeus, 1758) The Bengal Tiger or Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is a subspecies of tiger found in Bangladesh, Bengal region of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and in the south of Tibet. ... “Aves” redirects here. ... Subclasses Anapsida Diapsida Synonyms Reptilia Laurenti, 1768 Reptiles are tetrapods and amniotes, animals whose embryos are surrounded by an amniotic membrane, and members of the class Sauropsida. ... Invertebrate is a term that describes any animal without a spinal column. ... Genera Mecistops Crocodylus Osteolaemus See full taxonomy. ...

Origin of the name

Sundarbans National Park got its name from the local mangrove sundari trees which are found in abundance throughout the park.

History

The present Sundarbans National Park was declared as the core area of Sundarbans Tiger Reserve in 1973 and a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1977. On 4 May 1984 it was declared a National Park. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/452 in 1987. Whole Sundarbans area was declared as Biosphere Reserve in 1989. May 4 is the 124th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (125th in leap years). ... 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Elabana Falls is in Lamington National Park, part of the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves World Heritage site in Queensland, Australia. ...

Geography

Sundarbans National Park is located in between 30° 24' - 30° 28' N longitude and between 77° 40' - 77° 44' E latitude in the South 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal. The average altitude of the park is 7.5 m above sea level. The park is made up of 54 small islands and it crisscrossed by several tributaries of Ganga and Brahmaputra.

Sundarbans National Park is the largest estuarine mangrove forest in the world. Twenty-six of the fifty broad mangrove types found in the world grow well in the Sundarbans. The commonly identifiable vegetation that grow in the dense mangrove forests at the Sundarbans are salt water mixed forest, mangrove scrub, brackish water mixed forest, littoral forest, wet forest and wet alluvial grass forests. Protected areas of West Bengal cover 4% of the state area. ... Jaldapara Wildlife Reserve is the home of about 50 one-horned rhinos, an animal threatened with extinction. ... Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the foothills of Himalayas, between the Teesta and Mahananda rivers. ... The Sundarbans National Park (Bengali: সুন্দরবন জাতীয় উদ্দ্যান) is a National Park, Tiger Reserve, UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve located in the Sundarbans delta in Indian state of West Bengal. ... A national park located in Bengal,India. ... Neora Valley National Park is a national park located in the Darjeeling District of West Bengal, India. ... A national park of India located at the high altitude of more than 7000 metres above the sea level, in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. ... Ballabhpur Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1977. ... Bethuadahari Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Nadia District, West Bengal has a large population of Spotted deer, Jackal, Bengal fox, Porcupine, Common Langur. ... Bibhutibhusan Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in North 24 Parganas District, West Bengal has a healthy population of Spotted deer and the sanctuary is also rich in common birds. ... Chapramari Wildlife Reserve is close to the Gorumara National Park. ... Gorumara National Park is a National Park in Northern West Bengal, India. ... Jore Pokhri Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Darjeeling District, West Bengal. ... Narendrapur Wildlife Sanctuary in South 24 Parganas District, West Bengal is an Orchard Plantation and constitutes only 17 acres and is rich in smaller birds, specially paradise fly catcher, Oriole etc. ... Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in North Dinajpur District, West Bengal is famous for its birds. ... Ramnabagan Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Burdwan, West Bengal. ... Lothian Island Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal. ... Sajnakhali Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal and is rich in huge population of different species of wildlife. ... Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in South 24 Parganas District, West Bengal is full of wildlife including Spotted deer, Wild Boar, Barking deer and Rhesus macaque. ... Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary was set up in 1915 in the Darjeeling District of West Bengal, India. ...

Climate

The average maximum and minimum temperature is 34 °C and 20 °C respectively. Rainfall is heavy with high humidity as high as 80% as it is close to the Bay of Bengal. The monsoon lasts from mid-June to mid-September. Prevailing wind is from the north and north-east from October to mid-March and south west westerlies prevails from mid-March to September. Storms which sometimes develop into cyclones are common during the month of May and October. Look up Bay of Bengal in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Flora and fauna

Flora

There are 64 plant species in Sundarbans and they have the capacity to withstand estuarine conditions and saline inundation on account of tidal effects. In the month of April and May the flaming red leaves of the Genwa the crab-like red flowers of the Kankara and the yellow flowers of Khalsi can be seen, which add a beauty to the surroundings. Some of the more commonly found plants and trees in the park are Genwa, Dhundal, Passur, Garjan, Kankra, Sundari and Goran.

Fauna

The Sundarbans forest is home to more than 200 tigers. The Royal Bengal Tigers have developed a unique characteristic of swimming in the saline waters, and are world famous for their man-eating tendencies.

Apart from the Royal Bengal Tiger; Fishing Cats, Macaques, Wild Boar, Common Grey Mongoose, Fox, Jungle Cat, Flying Fox, Pangolin, Chital, are also found in abundance in the Sundarbans. Trinomial name Panthera tigris tigris (Linnaeus, 1758) The Bengal Tiger or Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is a subspecies of tiger found in Bangladesh, Bengal region of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and in the south of Tibet. ... This article is about the animal. ... Binomial name Felis chaus Schreber, 1777 The Jungle Cat (Felis chaus), also called Swamp Lynx (although not related to the lynxes), is a small cat with a rather short tail (length 70 cm, plus 30 cm tail). ... A flying fox can be: One of several species of megabat. ... Species Manis culionensis Manis gigantea Manis temminckii Manis tricuspis Manis tetradactyla Manis crassicaudata Manis pentadactyla Manis javanica Pangolins (pronounced ) or scaly anteaters are mammals in the order Pholidota. ... Binomial name Axis axis (Erxleben, 1777) The chital (or cheetal) deer, also known as the spotted deer or axis deer is a large spotted deer which commonly inhabits wooded regions of Sri Lanka and most of India. ...

Avifauna

Some of the more popular birds found in this region are - Open Billed Storks, White Ibis, Water Hens, Coots, Pheasant Tailed Jacanas, Pariah Kites, Brahminy Kites, Marsh Harriers, Swamp Partridges, Red Jungle Fowls, Spotted Doves, Common Mynahs, Jungle Crows, Jungle Babblers, Cotton Teals, Herring Gulls, Caspian Terns, Gray Herons, Brahminy Ducks, Spotted Billed Pelicans, Large Egrets, Night Herons, Common Snipes, Wood Sandpipers, Green Pigeons, Rose Ringed Parakeets, Paradise Flycatchers, Cormorants, Fishing Eagles, White Bellied Sea Eagles, Seagulls, Common Kingfishers, Peregrine falcons, Woodpeckers, Whimprels, Black-Tailed Godwits, Little Stints, Eastern Knots, Curlews, Golden Plovers, Pintails, White Eyed Pochards and Whistling Teals. There are three species of bird named White Ibis. ... Coots may mean: Coot, a medium sized water bird of the rail family Coots is also the name of: J. Fred Coots (1897-1985) a songwriter This is a disambiguation page: a list of articles associated with the same title. ... Binomial name Acridotheres tristis (Linnaeus, 1766) The Common Myna, Acridotheres tristis, is a myna, a member of the starling family. ... Genera Nannopterum Phalacrocorax Leucocarbo The Phalacrocoracidae family of birds is represented by over thirty species of cormorants and shags. ... Genera Pagophila Larus Rissa Creagus Xema Rhodostethia Gulls are seabirds in the family Laridae and subfamily Lari. ... Binomial name Alcedo atthis (Linnaeus, 1758) The European Kingfisher or Common Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis, is widely distributed in Europe, Africa, and Asia. ... Binomial name Falco peregrinus Tunstall, 1771 The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) is a medium-sized falcon about the size of a large crow: 38-53 cm (15 to 21 inches) long. ... Genera Many, see text. ... The curlews are a group of eight wader species, characterised by a long slender downcurved bill and mainly brown plumage with little seasonal change. ...

Aqua fauna

Some of the fish and amphibians found in the park are Saw Fish, Butter Fish, Electric Rays, Silver Carp, Star Fish, Common Carp, King Crabs, Prawn, Shrimps, Gangetic Dolphins, Skipping Frogs, Common Toads and Tree Frogs. A giant grouper at the Georgia Aquarium Fish are aquatic vertebrates that are typically cold-blooded; covered with scales, and equipped with two sets of paired fins and several unpaired fins. ... For other uses, see Amphibian (disambiguation). ... Genera Pampus Peprilus Stromateus See text for species. ... Binomial name Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758) The Common carp or European carp (Cyprinus carpio) is a widespread freshwater fish distantly related to the common goldfish, with which it is capable of interbreeding. ... Superfamilies Penaeoidea Aristeidae Benthesicymidae Penaeidae Sicyoniidae Solenoceridae Sergestoidea Luciferidae Sergestidae Prawns are edible, shrimp-like crustaceans, belonging to the sub-order Dendrobranchiata [1]. They are distinguished from the superficially similar shrimp by the gill structure which is branching in prawns (hence the name, dendro=tree; branchia=gill), but is lamellar... Suborders Not necessary complete list: Aristeidae Penaeidae Sergestidae Sicyoniidae Solenoceridae Nematocarcinidae Atyidae Pasiphaeoidae Rhynocinetidae Campylonotidae Palaemonidae Alpheidae Ogyrididae Hippolytidae Proussidae Pandalidae Crangonidae True shrimp are small, swimming, decapod crustaceans usually classified in the suborder Natantia, found widely around the world in both fresh and salt water. ... Genera See text. ...

Reptiles

The Sundarbans National Park houses an excellent number of reptiles as well. Some of the common ones are - Olive Ridley Turtles, Sea Snakes, Dog Faced Water Snakes, Green Turtles, Estuarine Crocodiles, Chameleons, King Cobras, Salvator Lizards, Hard Shelled Batgun Terrapins, Russels Vipers, Mouse Ghekos, Monitor Lizards, Curviers, Hawks Bill Turtles, Pythons, Common Kraits, Chequered Killbacks and rat Snakes. Sea snakes of several different species belong to a group related to the cobras but aquatic rather than land dwelling. ... Binomial name Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus, 1758) This page redirects from Chelonia, which is the genus name of this turtle, but has also been used for the order Testudines of all turtles and tortoises. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Binomial name Ophiophagus hannah Cantor, 1836 The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the longest of the venomous land snakes, growing up to 18. ... For other meanings, see Python (disambiguation). ... ...

Endangered species

The endangered species that lives within the Sundarbans are Royal Bengal Tiger, Estuarian Crocodile, River Terrapin (Batagur baska), Olive Ridley Turtle, Gangetic Dolphin, Ground Turtle, Hawks Bill Turtle and King Crabs (Horse shoe).

Management and special projects

The park has got protection since its creation. The core area is free from all human disturbances like collection of wood, honey, fishing and other forest produces. However in buffer area fishing, honey collection and wood cutting are permitted in limited form. Protection of the park from poaching and theft of forest products is done by well armed forest staffs who patrols in motorboats and launches. Moreover forest offices and camps are located at several important parts of the park. Anti-poaching camps are manned by 2 to 3 knowledgeable labourers under supervision of concerned beat guard/Forester/Range officer.

Habitat of wildlife is well maintained through eco-conservation, eco-development, training, education and research. 10 Forest Protection Committees and 14 Eco-development Committees have been formed in the fringe of Sundarbans Tiger Reserve helps in this regard. Seminars, workshops, awareness camps, etc. are organised frequently in the vicinity of park to educate the people on eco-conservation, eco-development and such other issues. Mangrove and other plants are planted in the fringe area to meet the local need of fuel wood for about 1000 villages and to conserve the buffer area. Conservation of soil is done to maintain the ecological balance. Several sweet water ponds have been dug up inside the park to provide drinking water to the wild animals.

Controlling man-eating tigers is another major activity. The number of causalities has been reduced from 40 to 10 per year. The reduction in number of causalities is a result of strict control over the movement of the people inside the tiger reserve, alternative income generation and awareness building among people. It is also believed that due to use of human masks and electric human dummies. Straying of tigers into nearby villages is prevented through effective measures like nylon net fencing, solar illumination of villages, etc. The youths of the villages are given training in controlling the straying of tigers into the villages.

The Mangrove Interpretation Centre is established at Sajnekhali to make the local people and tourists aware about importance of conservation of nature in general and specially the mangrove eco-systems.

Constraints

Though there is tough protection in the park there are a few loopholes. The geographical topography with hostile terrain criss-crossed by several rivers and their tributaries, long international border with Bangladesh, fishing trawlers and launches helps in poaching, cutting of wood and also affecting the mangrove forests. Lack of staffs, infrastructure and lack of funds also added up the factors.

Park-specific information

Activities

The best and only means of travelling the park is to hire a boat and float down the various lanes formed by the many flowing rivers. You can travel in any of the local boats or in luxury launches namely M.V. Chitrarekha and M.V. Madhukar, which are operated by the tourism department.

Apart from viewing the wildlife from the boat safaris, you can also visit the following places in Sundarbans which are Bhagatpur Crocodile Project which is a crocodile breeding farm (access from Namkhana), Sagar Island, Jambudweep, Sudhanyakali watchtower, Buriidabri Tiger Project, Netidhopani Watchtower, Haliday Island (famous for Barking Deer), Kanak (nesting place of Olive Ridley Turtle), Sajankhali Bird Sanctuary (famous for avian fauna).

Lodging

Forest lodge and forest rest-houses are available for accommodation at Sajnekhali, Bakkhali and Piyali. The cruise launches MV Chitralekha and MV Sarbajaya also have lodging facility.

Lodging facilities are also available at Sundarbans Jungle Camp on Bali Island run by Help Tourism Group with collaboration with local communities and members of Bali Nature and Wildlife Conservation Society.

Approach

• Nearest airport: Dum Dum airport at Kolkata is 112 km away.
• Nearest railhead: Canning is 48 km away from the Park.
• Nearest Road: Road transportation is available from Kolkata for Namkhana (105 km), Sonakhali (100 km), Raidighi (76 km), Canning (64 km), and Najat (92 km), which are all near the Sunderbans and have access to the riverine waterways.
• Nearest town: Gosaba is 50 km away.
• Nearest city: Kolkata which is 112 km away.

  (IPA: [] Bengali: কলকাতা) (formerly  ) is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

General tips

The ideal time to visit the park is November to February when the tigers can be seen on the river banks having sunbath.

Entry Permits : The foreign tourists who wants to visit the tiger projects and visit the Sajnekhali, have to obtain the special permits for entry into the Sundarbans National Park. The tourists should contact the Secretary, West Bengal Forest Department, Writer's Building, Kolkata - 700001. To obtain the entry permit for other areas of the Sundarban; the tourists must visit the Field Director, Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, PO Canning, District 24 Parganas, West Bengal. However a boat cruise through Sunderbans outside the sanctuary requires no entry permit.

References

• A Fact sheet about the Sundarbans from the World Conservation Monitoring Centre.
• Official UNESCO website entry
• Project Tiger Reserves in India – Sundarbans
• IndianTiger.org Sundarbans National Park
• Indian Wildlife Tours Sundarbans National Park
• EcoIndia.com Sundarbans National Park
• Web123India: Sundarbans

See also

• Project Tiger

The Royal Bengal Tiger. ...

External links

• Sundarbans National Park travel guide from Wikitravel
• Sahara Sundarbans – The Ultimate Destination
• Kolkata Birds

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