Sundarban

Location: Khulna, Bangladesh.

The Sundarbans (Bengali: সুন্দরবন, Shundorbôn) is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world. The Sunderbans is a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering parts of India and Bangladesh. The Sundarban National Park is a National Park, Tiger Reserve, and a Biosphere Reserve located in the Sundarbans delta in the Indian state of West Bengal. Sundarbans South, East and West are three protected forests in Bangladesh. This region is densely covered by mangrove forests, and is one of the largest reserves for the Bengal tiger.

Latitude: 21° 56′ 59″ N,
Longitude: 89° 10′ 59.99″ E

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.
Royal Bengal tigers, the pride of Bangladesh, have been known to grow to a body length of more than 2m. They have a life span of 16 years and prey on deer, boars and fish stranded on river beds at low tide. It is only in old age, when they have lost their physical agility and canine fangs that they some­ times prey on workers in the area.

There are thought to be roughly 400 tigers remaining in the Sundarbans and every year there are reports of people in the area get­ ting eaten by tigers. Although they may not admit it, most guides, despite carrying rifles, are terrified of the tigers. Consequently, they make considerable noise during excursions, scaring them off and virtually ensuring that you won't encounter one. Nevertheless, there are just enough sightings to encour­ age visitors. One group reported seeing a tiger swim right by their boat.

Birds, over 270 different species have been recorded in this region, including about 95 species of water birds and 35 species of birds of prey. Birds found here include snipes, white and gold herons, woodcocks, coots, yellowlegs, sandpipers, common cranes, golden eagles and the Madantak (adjutant bird), which always looks worried and dejected.

Wildlife in the Sundarbans includes deer, wild boars, clawless otters, monkeys, crocodiles, 50 species of reptiles (including snakes and eight species of amphibians) and numerous river dolphins. There are an estimated 30,000 spotted deer in the Sundarbans. They're relatively easy to find given that they use clearings and river banks to drink. Monkeys have cu­riously been observed to drop keora leaves whenever deer appear on the scene.

HOW TO GO

Sundarbans can be reached easily from Khulna and Mongla. But it is strongly recommended that get the help of one well none travel agent for most comfortable journey. Alternatively get the help from Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation.

Entry Permission: Officially, permits are required to visit the Sundarbans. They are issued by the Divisional Forestry Office (041-720665, 211731) in Khulna and validated at the Dhangmari Forestry Station, 4km southwest of Mongla across the Pusur River on the northern fringes of the Sundarbans. For a day-trip from Mongla, you are technically required to inform the Forestry Station. This is rarely done in practice, though. If you want to stay more than one day or for overnight trips a permit, guides and guards are required. Required entrance fees for visitors, vessel or boat payable at the relevant forest station/range office. To get to Dhangmari from Mongla, two and half an hour round trip in a rowboat, which you can find on the waterfront near the BIWTC office.

Bus
Service Provider	Departure	Destination	Contact
Eagal Paribahan	Dhaka	Barishal	02 - 7101504	-
Shohag Paribahan	Dhaka	Khulna	02 - 9334152, 8316766
Green Line	Dhaka	khulna	02 - 9339623, 9342580

There are also direct connections from Barisal to Khulna (eight hours). Involving two ferry crossings, is via Bagerhat.

Train
Service Provider	Departure	Destination	Contact
Bangladesh Railway	Dhaka	Khulna	02-9358634, 8315857

For Foreigner

At first arrive Bangladesh and then pick one way for your destination

ACCOMMODATIONSince it is strongly recommended that get the help of one tour operator. So the tour service provider will arrange accommodation facilities as the desires of particular tourists.
Alternatively get the help from Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation. Phone: 88-02-8117855-9, 8119192, Fax: 88-02-8126501, E-mail: bpcho@bangla.net.