The
vast swampy delta of the two Great Indian rivers, the Brahmaputra and the
Ganga, extend over a vast area.
Mangrove forests, swamps and
forested islands are interwoven with a network of small rivers and rivulets.
The Sunderbans National Park, covering about 1330.10 sq km, from
this core of this area. This mostly estuarine mangrove forest is the habitat
of nearly 200 Royal Bengal tigers.
Bangladesh lies to the east of
the Park and it is estimated that the combined population of tigers in the
region could well be about 400 in number.
Adapting itself to the
saline and watery environment, the tigers at the Park are good swimmers and
practically amphibious! Traversing the mangroves by motor launch is quite an
experience, for the area is completely unspoiled and very different from the
more conventional wildlife park.
The estuarine crocodile is often
seen along the mud banks but owing to the dense undergrowth the tiger is
rarely sighted.
The Park is also noted for its conservation of the
Ridley sea turtle.
General Information: Best
Time to Visit: September to May. Nearest Town: Gosaba (50
km) How to Get Here: Air: Kolkata (Calcutta) (112
km) Rail:Canning (48 km)
The
vast swampy delta of the two Great Indian rivers, the Brahmaputra and the
Ganga, extend over a vast area. 
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