Sunderbans Tiger Reserve, UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to one of the largest concentrations of tigers on the planet. One of the most popular tiger reserves in India, it was created in 1973. Recognizing the region and its unique biodiversity, the National Park was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1985. The entire Sunderban area was declared a Biosphere Reserve four years later.
Sunderbans is part of a vast delta in the Bay of Bengal adapting its name from the Sundari trees with floating roots. The mangrove forests are the only tiger habitat of its kind. The trees and other wildlife have adapted to the conditions of high salinity, lack of soil, erosion and daily overflow by high tides. An estimated 270 tigers are found here.
The other unique species inhabiting the reserve are, fishing cat, spotted deer, wild boar, gangetic dolphin, water monitor, estuarine crocodile, river terrapin, olive ridley turtle, ground turtle, hawks bill turtle, king crab, etc.
The mangrove vegetation of Sunderbans consists of 64 plant species with the capacity to withstand estuarine conditions and saline conditions on account of tidal effects.
The best time to visit Sunderbans Tiger Reserve is during winters between December and February. Although the park is open from September to March, this is the period when the maximum migratory birds are also present here.
Sunderbans are mysterious and offer the perfect dose of adventure. Explore a unique ecosphere, worth cherishing.
