Sundarbans National Park embroidered the world’s largest mangrove forest and one of the most biologically suitable places for all-natural ecosystems. The national park is a mazy network of tiny islands, mudflats, and tidal waterways, which present a very good natural awe-inspiring scenery in the region.
Photo-en.wikipedia.org
Sundarban situated in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal which comprises the largest mangrove forests in the world with a 1400 sq km area, lies on the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers on the Bay of Bengal. Sunderban is also the largest delta in the world. Sundarbans provide various globally endangered species including the Royal Bengal Tiger, Ganges and Irawadi dolphins, olive ridley turtle, estuarine crocodiles, and the critically endangered endemic river terrapin.
Photo-en.wikipedia.org
The area is not only known for its natural scenery but also famous for its Royal Bengal Tiger, estimated population of nearly 400 individuals, a higher density than any other population of tigers in the world. The famous Royal Bengal tigers have now adapted to the highly saline water and are great swimmers. apart from this backwater and tidal phenomenon provides a wide range of flora and Fauna of diverse habitats for several hundreds of aquatic, terrestrial, and amphibian species.
The varied and colorful bird life found along the waterways is one of its greatest attractions. waterfowl, raptors, and forest birds including nine species of kingfisher and the magnificent white-bellied sea eagle included in this.
Sundarban has been divided into two parts Sundarban Tiger Reserve and 24 Parganas (South) Forest Division. The Forest Division which is also known as the Sundarban biosphere reserve comprises an ecologically fragile and climatically vulnerable region and that’s the reason UNESCO Declared it a World Heritage site in 1987. the land area, of the site including exposed sandbars, occupies 4143.5 sq. km. area while water bodies are occupied by rivers, canals, and creeks covering 1874 Sq.km. area.
The best time to reach here and take a spectacular boat trip through islands and narrow creeks is September to March After the monsoons. Tourists need to drop at Kolkata city which has very good transportation modes with major cities of India and abroad. you can find various “eco-lodge” at the forest’s edge to rest over the day. do not forget to sail into the reserves, the Sajnakhali Sanctuary, Piyali, and Kaikhali Island.
The geological process of Sundarban-
Sundarban provides a good example of ongoing ecological processes. it represents the process of delta formation and the subsequent colonization of the newly formed deltaic islands with mangrove communities. although, the Sundarbans have been losing ground and slowly subsiding. At the same time, the global sea level is rising, threatening the rate of land loss and increasing the flooding hazard here.
Photo-wikipedia.org
The world’s largest delta is formed from sediments deposited by three great rivers; the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna. the land has been molded by tidal action, resulting in a distinctive physiology. branch of the Ganges actually occupied the river channel at the Bay of Bengal until the late 1600s. It then changed course about 200 kilometers before of bay, and since then has flowed into central Bangladesh, where it joins the Brahmaputra River for the final 150-kilometer stretch to the Bay of Bengal.
Photo-examrace.com
Sundarban delta is a mosaic of islands of different shapes and sizes, which is perennially washed by brackish water and channels. This climatic scenario made the site supports exceptional biodiversity in its terrestrial, aquatic and marine habitats.
