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General Information
Area
Nearly 2400 sq miles or 3600 sq Km
Forest Limits
North-Bagerhat. Khulna and Satkhlra districts; South-Bay of Bengal; East-Baleswar (or Harin ghata) river, Perojpur, Barisal district, and West-Raimangal and Hariabhanga rivers which partially form Bangladesh boundary with West Bengal In India. •
Main Attractions
Wild life photography including photography of the famous Royal Bengal Tiger, .wild life viewing, boating inside the forest, wild call recordings, nature study, meeting fishermen, woodcutters and honey collectors. Peace and tranquility in the wilderness, seeing the world's largest mangrove forest and the riverine beauty.
Famous Spots
lliron 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 Kachi-Khali (Tiger Point) provide opportunities for wiki tracking.
Tin Kona Island for tiger and deer
Dublar Char (Island) for fishermen. It is a beautiful island where herds of spotted deer arc often seen to graze.
Means of Communication
Water transport Is the only means of communication for visiting the Sundarbans from Khulna or Mongla Ifort. 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 drive to Khulna by road.
Journey Time
It varies depending on tides against or In favour in the river. Usually 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.
Drinking Water : Drinking water Is to be carried. Water availabk' is saline.
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. 21173) to visit the Sundarbans. Required cn-trance fees for visitors, vessel or boat payable at the relevant forest station/range office.
Guided Tours
Bangladesh Paijatan Corporation. National Tourism Organization. offers all-Inclusive guided package tours from Dhaka to Sundarbans and return during the tourist season (October to March). Group size: Minimum 10 pax.
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 an 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 otters. Bxcitlng activities take place tn Dublar Char tn 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 tn groups Tor 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 in endowed by nature with rich flora and fauna. 11 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 tn the Sundarbans. Lovely spotted deer are easy to find, liesides there are a wide variety of wild life for which the Sundarbans is so famous.
Visit to the Forest
Permission from the Divisional Forest officer. Khulna is required to visit to the forest. Cholera vaccine Is to be taken well in advance. Anti-malarial, anti-diarrhoeal, insect-repellent cream, drink ing 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
Courtesy : WC.