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Spotted deer in Sundarbans
Spotted deer in Sundarbans
Tourist inside the Sundarbans
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In the
south-western part of Bangladesh, in the district of greater Khulna, lies
the Sundarbans, the beautiful forest. It is a virgin forest which until
recently owed nothing to human endeavour and yet nature has laid it out with
as much care as a planned pleasure ground. For miles and miles, the lofty
treetops form an unbroken canopy, while nearer the ground, works of high and
ebb-tide marked on the soil and tree trunks and the many varieties of the
natural mangrove forest have much to offer to an inquisitive visitor.
Here land and
water meet in many novel fashions, Wildlife presents many a spectacle. No
wonder, you may come across a Royal Bengal Tiger swimming across the streams
or the crocodiles basking on the river banks. With the approach of the
evening herds of deer make for the darking glades where boisterous monkeys
shower Keora leaves from above for sumptuous meal for the former. For the
botanist, the lover of nature, the poet and the painter this land provides a
variety of wonder for which they all crave.
The
Sundarbans is a cluster of islands with an approximate area of 6000 sq. km.
forming the largest block of littoral forests. It's beauty lies in its
unique natural surrounding. Thousands of meandering streams, creeks, rivers
and estuaries have enhanced its charm. Sundarbans meaning beautiful forest
is the natural habital of the world famous Royal Bengal Tiger, spotted deer,
crocodiles, jungle fowl, wild boar, lizards, theses monkey and an
innumerable variety of beautiful birds. Migratory flock of Siberian ducks
flying over thousands of sail boats loaded with timber, golpatta
(round-leaf), fuel wood, honey, shell and fish further add to the serene
natural beauty of the Sundarbans.
This is
indeed a land for the sportsmen, the anglers and the photographers with its
abundance of game, big and small, crocodile, wild boar, deer, pythons,
wild-birds and above all the Royal Bengal Tiger, cunning, ruthless and yet
majestic and graceful, For the less adventurously inclined, there are ducks
and snipes, herons and coots, yellow-lags and sandpipers. It is also the
land for the ordinary holiday makers who desire to rest or wander around at
will to refresh their mind and feast their eyes with the rich treasure that
nature has so fondly bestowed.
General Information
AREA
Nearly 2400 sq. miles or 6000 sq. km.
FOREST LIMITS
North-Bagerhat, Khulna and Sathkira districts : South-Bay of Bengal;
East-Baleswar (or Haringhata) river, Perojpur, Barisal district, and West-Raimangal
and Hariabhanga rivers which partially form Bangladesh boundary with West
Bengal in India.
MAIN ATTRACTIONS
Wildlife photography including photography of the famous Royal Bengal
Tiger, wildlife viewing, boating inside the forest will call recordings,
nature study, meeting fishermen, wood-cutters and honey-collectors, peace
and tranquility in the wilderness, seeing the world's largest mangrove
forest and the riverine beauty.
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Watch Tower inside Sundarbans
Beauty of Sundarbans
Katka Rest House inside
Sundarbans
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FAMOUS SPOTS
Hiron Point (Nilkamal) for tiger, deer, monkey, crocodiles, birds and
natural beauty.
Katka for deer, tiger,
crocodiles, varieties of birds and monkey, morning and evening symphony of
wild fowls. Vast expanse of grassy meadows running from Katka to Kachikhali
(Tiger Point) provide opportunities for wild tracking.
Tin Kona Island for tiger and
deer.
Dublar Char (Island) for
fishermen. It is a beautiful island where herds of spotted deer are often
seen to graze.
Means of Communication
Water transport is the only means of communication for visiting the
Sundarbans from Khulna or Mongla Port. Private motor launch, speed boats,
country boats as well as mechanised vessel of Mongla Port Authority might be
hired for the purpose. From Dhaka visitors may travel by air, road or rocket
steamer to Khulna - the gateway to the Sundarbans. Most pleasant journey
from Dhaka to Khulna is by Paddle Steamer, Rocket presenting a picturesque
panorama of rural Bangladesh. Day and night-long coach services by road are
also available. The quickest mode is by air from Dhaka to Jessore and then
to Khulna by road.
Journey time
It varies depending on tides against or in favour in the river. Usually it
takes 6 to 10 hours journey by motor vessel from Mongla to Hiron Point or
Katka.
Accommodation Inside the forest
Hiron Point : Comfortable three-storied Rest-House of the Mongla Port
Authority. Prior booking is to be made.
Katka : Forest Department
Rest-House located here. Prior booking essential.
Journey by Rocket Steamer to Mongla and Khulna
Minimum Journey time is 22 Hours for Mongla and 24 Hours for Khulna from
Dhaka.
Entry Permission
Prior permission must be obtained through written application from the
Divisional Forest Office, Circuit House Road, Khulna (Phone 20665, 211731)
to visit the Sundarbans. Required entrance fees for visitors, vessel or boat
payable at the relevant forest station/range office.
Fee for
Commercial Photography
Movie Tk. 5,000.00 per role exposed
Video Tk. 4,000.00 per Cassette
Still Tk. 1,000.00 per role exposed
Guided Tours
Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, National Tourism Organization offers
all-inclusive guided package fours from Dhaka to Sundarbans and return
during the tourist season (October to March). Group size Minimum 12 pax.
For rates and booking please
contact:
Manager (Tours), Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, 233, Airport Road, Tejgaon,
Dhaka-1212, Phone: 817855-59, Fax : 880-2-817235. |
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Tourist inside the Sundarbans
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An eye catching view
of Sundarbans
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Climate
Climate in the Sundarbans is moderate. Air is humid. Full monsoon is
from June to September. The annual rainfall average between 65" and 70".
During ebb-tide the forest becomes bare by 6-7 feet and at high tide (30
miles and hour) the entire territory of the forest floats on water.
Life in Forest
Only means of transportation inside the forest is boat. There is no
road, no trail of a path anywhere. The wood-cutters make temporary dwellings
at the edge of the forest at a height of 8-10 feet for fear of wild animals
others live on boats. In the chandpai region it is fascinating to see the
nomadic fishermen (living with families on boats) catching fish with the
help of trained offers. Exciting activities take place in Dublar Char in the
forest where fishermen from Chittagong gather for four months (mid Oct. to
mid Feb.) to catch and dry fish. But the most daring and exciting of all
activities is presented by the honey-collectors who work in groups for just
two months (April-May) and it is interesting to see how they locate a hive
and then collect honey.
Flora and Fauna
The Sundarbans is endowed by nature with rich flora and fauna. It is a
wonderful place to see or to shoot a Royal Bengal Tiger with Camera if one
has the time to wait in the forest. There are a good number of tigers in the
Sundarbans. Lovely spotted deer are easy to find. Besides there are a wide
variety of wildlife for which the Sundarbans is so famous. |
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Tourist inside the Sundarbans |
Visit to the Forest
Permission from the Division Forest Officer, Khulna is required to visit
to the forest. Cholera vaccine is to be taken well in advance.
Anti-malarial, anti-diarrhoeal, insectrepellent cream, drinking water, green
coconuts, medical kit, light tropical dress, thick rubber soled boots etc.
are to be carried with the tourist. It will be wise to take the help of an
experienced guide to make the journey fruitful.
Khulna
Khulna is the third biggest industrial city of the country. It is a
divisional headquarter which serves as a gateway to the seaport of mongla
and the Sundarbans. Khulna is also famous for shrimp processing and
newsprint.
Bagerhat
This little town is 40 km. south-east of khulna on the northern fringes of
the Sundarbans. It is a district headquarters, Bagerhat is famous for
Shait-gumbad mosque (60-domed) built in 1459 and shrine of the Muslim mystic
Khan Jahan Ali. |
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Tourist inside the Sundarbans |
Mongla
Mongla is the second seaport of the country and gateway to the Sundarbans.
It lies 38 km. to the south of Khulna. The port authority has got motor
launches to go to the forest.
Tourist season & Shooting
Best time to visit the Sundarbans is from November to March. Exciting
honey collection season is during April-May. Hunting is prohibited by law in
the country for the preservation of wildlife. Certain species of birds,
however, can be shot with prior permission of the Divisional Forest Officer,
Khulna, (Phone : 20665 & 21173). |
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