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The Sundarbans National Park lies in the south-east of Kolkata and forms part of the Gangetic Delta, which borders on the Bay of Bengal. The vast swampy delta of the two Indian rivers Brahamaputra and the Ganges comprises of mangrove forests, swamps and forest island all inter linked in a network of small rivers and streams. It is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger and is also the largest mangrove forest in the world, forming the core of this region. The Sundarban region has derived its name from the Sundari trees, once found in large number here.
Avi – Fauna
The climatic conditions create an ideal habitat for native as well as migratory birds. Some of the more popular birds found in this region are – Paradise Flycatchers, Cormorants, Open Billed Storks, Jungle Crows, Jungle Babblers, Cotton Teals, Herring Gulls, Caspian Terns, Gray Herons, Brahminy Ducks, White Ibis, Water Hens, Coots, Pheasant Tailed Jacanas, Pariah Kites, Brahminy Kites, Spotted Billed Pelicans, Large Egrets, Night Herons, Rose Ringed Parakeets, Fishing Eagles, White Bellied Sea Eagles, Seaguls, Common Kingfishers, Peregrine falcons, Woodpeckers, Whimprels, Marsh Harriers, Swamp Partridges, Red Jungle Fowls, Spotted Doves and Common Mynahs etc
Climate
Sunderbans receive heavy rainfall and has high humidity levels of about 80% on average due to its proximity to the Bay of Bengal. The monsoon stretches from mid-June until mid-September, after which the weather is good until mid-March. Maximum and minimum temperatures recorded are 34°C and 20°C, respectively. Storms are common in May and October-November and could develop into cyclones which are accompanied by tidal waves and cause much loss of life and damage to property and the forests. The best time to visit would be during the months of September and May. During the winter one can see the Royal Bengal Tiger sun-bathing on the river banks.
Fauna
The Sundarbans forest is home to more than 400 tigers. The Royal Bengal Tigers have adapted themselves very well to the saline and aqua surroundings and are extremely good swimmers. This apart it houses – Fishing Cats, Macaques, Wild Boar, Common Grey Mongoose, Fox, Jungle Cat, Flying Fox, Indian Pangolin, Chitals, etc.
The park has an excellent number of reptiles such as Dog Faced Water Snakes, Green Turtles, Olive Ridley Turtles, Sea Snakes, Estuarine Crocodiles, Chameleons, King Cobras, Salvator Lizards, Hard Shelled Batgun Terrapins, Russels Vipers, Mouse Ghekos, Monitor Lizards etc
Flora
The main forest cover comprises of mangrove forests mixed with swamp and littoral forests. There is mangrove scrub forest, salt water mixed forest, brackish water mixed forest and alluvial grasslands. Due to the dense and huge forest reserve, it has been declared as a World Biosphere Reserve. Some of the commonly found plants and trees here are Genwa, Dhundal, Passur, Garjan, Kankra and Goran.
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