Sunderbans national park I want guide help

Anett

Hav you been to this national park? Please share your experiences with me!
My son is born in Kolkata surroundings, and we are thinking about going back to West Bengal.

PeakXV

I saw an excellent documentary on National Geographic not long ago - it looks so exotic - not a place for a picnic though or stroll though - the tours seem to be all by boat. I did a search for the Doco but couldn't find it. Found this though:

http://www.nationalgeographic.co.in/...sunderbans.asp

Best of Luck when you go - watch out for those man-eaters!!!

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Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

somnath

Hi Anett,
Welcome back to West Bengal.

Yeah, but it was not a pleasure trip. I went with some Govt. officials for some special purpose. In my experience, without the direct help of administration it is not so easy to just roam around in Sundarnabs. I mean, it is not like other national parks or forests where tourist can enjoy the scenic beauty or wildlife with a car (of course, maintaining the rules and regulations).
There are some tours operated by West Bengal Tourism Dept. you can try for any one of such packages.

This is the link that may help you.: http://www.wbtourism.com/wildlife/sunderbans/index.htm

- Somnath

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Anett

Thanks for your answer!
I looked ath National geographic site, and after your both answers, we might go somewhere else ,not sunderbans!
I translated for my husband and my son a text about a journey written about Sunderbans in N G, and after all talking about the man eating tigers they both said that they preferred some other tiger place! But of course, we will in future return to Kolkata.
I have studied the Google Earth, my son is born somewhere near, Bhedia, Hasnabad. Is that familiar to you?
In Januar 2002 we met our son in Kolkata. we stayed at the Tolly gunge club for a week before going back to Sweden. we hardly saw anything ther, becoming parent was taking alla our concentration!
last winter we went to Goa for holidays, so our son would get a feeling for India. I want him to be a proud swede, but also a proud indian.
I am glad to get in contact with someone living in Kolkata, and hope that you maybe will stay in contact.
Please write to me at anettsjoo@hotmail.com

somnath

Hi Anett,
Glad to know your views that you want your son to become a proud Swede and Indian too. Best of luck. How old he is?
The chance is minimum to spot a tiger in Sundarbans (Bandhabgarh or Ranthambore would be better choice). But as you said that your Kolkata visit is not complete last time, come back here and have a great time. If you are planning your trip in summer, hill stations will be better.
On behalf of all the IMers from Kolkata let me say “Welcome” . I am sure that you will love Kolkata.

Regarding alternatives plz read answers here: Smaller trips around Kolkata

- Somnath

Paagla Dashu

I have been to the Sundarbans where the tigers are elusive as well as to some other Reserve forests in India where tigers turn up and pose to be photographed by tourists.

Where would I go back given a chance? - without any doubt in my mind - To the Sundarbans, of course!

I did not see a tiger in my first visit but felt its presence. Nothing can beat the experience of seeing fresh pug marks on the muddy banks of the canal through which your boat is cruising and then being told by two fishermen on a boat a little later that just a minute ago a big male swam across to the other side of the mangrove forest. Nothing in Kanha, Bandhavgarh or Ranthambhore can come anywhere close to the feeling of anticipation and suspense.

Is it dangerous? I would not think so - provided you are on a safe boat managed by an experienced crew and you never, I repeat NEVER venture into any area where you are not supposed to go.

When we went a friend of mine used to operate a luxury boat with accommodation for 10 people in that area - we spent three nights on that boat. Sadly, they have sold that boat now.

Your best bet will be to contact a reputed travel agent and get them to organise a custom tour on a good boat with guides. Do not expect it to be cheap - a 3N/4D trip will cost around 1000 USd but it will be a lifetime experience.

Trust me, seeing a tiger in a stage-managed reseve comes nowhere near cruising the massive rivers and narrow canals in the mangrove forests of Sundarbans where the air is heavy with suspense and anticipation and the silence of the forest (in some places) is amazing (and you know the BIG Cat is on the prowl) - even if you do not see the tiger.

ddutta

Sunderban - UNMATCHED

Yes it is the only reserve forest which cant be compare with any . This is the place where (there is 80% chance ) you will be under the close watch by the KING of the forest. You may not be able to see him (can only feel hisc presence ) but there is every possibility that the BIG CAT is watching you.

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jyotirmoy

PD & ddutt,
Yes those who had the opurtunity to "see" Sundarbans will agree. I had been very deep inside Sunderbans... travelling in boat. In winter we anchored the boat near small islands that formed in the winters, locally called "char". The sight of Kashfools swaying in the brezze on a full moon night is simply fantastic. In winter we heard the mating calls of tigers too. Things changed very fast... the Chars started growing as more & more silt & garbage were delivered by the rivers... they remained through out the year... then came the most dangerous species... men!!! Shacks were errected... the Kashfools were destroyed... then came the animal who could take on a tiger in one mouthful... Bagher ghor e holo Khoger Basha... Politics... illegal felling of trees... poaching... grabbing land.... a part of Sunderbans became A-Sunder.....

Paagla Dashu

And for the record:

1. Royal Bengal Tigers are only found in the Sundarbans - they are the most majestic of the Tiger species - Tigers in all other reserves in India are much smaller.

2. All Tigers in Sundarbans are not necessarily man-eaters. But the mangroves in Sundarbans have one of the MOST complex eco-systems which also includes humans. A very large population of humans depend on the forests for their livelihood - they go deep inside core reserve areas braving their lives to collect honey and for fishing. Tigers are territorial animals - as their territories are encroached - they attack. Once they are successful they realise that humans are one of the easiest to prey on.