The vast swampy delta of the two great Indian rivers, the Brahmaputra and the Ganga, extends over a vast area. Mangrove forests, swamps and forested islands are interwoven with a network of small rivers and rivulets. The Sundarbans National Park, covering about 1330.10 sq. km., forms the core of this area. This mostly estuarine mangrove forest is the habitat of nearly 200 Royal Bengal tigers. Bangladesh lies to the east of the Park and it is estimated that the combined population of tigers in the region could well be about 400 in number.

Adapting itself to the saline and watery environment, the tigers at the Park are good swimmers and practically amphibious! Traversing the mangroves by motor launch is quite an experience, for the area is completely unspoilt and not the same as the more conventional wildlife park.

Geographical Details:

- Longitude – 30° 24′ – 30° 28′ N

- Latitude – 77° 40′ – 77° 44′ E

- Altitudinal Range – -10 m above sea level

- Average Rainfall – 175 cm

- Temperature – Min. 2° C, Max. 38° C

Tiger, Sunderbans National Park Area Details:

- Core Area – 1,330 Sq. Km

- Buffer Area – 1,255 Sq. Km

- Total Area – 2,585 Sq. Km

Tiger Population:

- 1979 – 205

- 1984 – 264

- 1989 – 269

- 1993 – 251

- 1995 – 242

On a wild trail !!

Fauna:

The tiger reserve in Sunderban is a major tourist attraction. The number of tigers in this reserve is one of the highest in the united kingdom. According to a census conducted in the 1980, the population of tiger here was close to 400. Besides the tiger, other forms of wildlife also inhabit these mangrove forests. The Gangetic dolphin, little porpoise, fishing cat, Indian fox, jungle cat, small Indian civet, common grey mongoose, spotted deer, wild pig, Indian flying fox, rhesus monkey and pangolin are some of the residents here.

The bird sanctuary at Sajnekhali contains a wide variety of birds. The most noteworthy among them are spotted billed pelican, cotton teal, herring gull, Caspian tern, grey heron, large egret, night heron, open-billed stork, white ibis, common kingfisher, brahmini kite and paradise flycatcher. The area is also important for waders, including the Asian dowitcher (Limnodromus semipalmatus), a rare winter migrant.

Tiger, Sunderbans National Park Flora:

The Sunderban National Park also has a multitude of flora. There is mangrove scrub, littoral forest, salt water mixed forest, brackish water mixed forest and swamp forest. The distribution of wildlife and vegetation is even throughout the Sunderban area.

Best time to visit:

Because of its proximity to the Bay of Bengal, Sunderban experiences very high humidity. Rainfall is quite heavy during monsoon, which last from mid-June to mid-September. After the monsoons, fair weather prevails until mid-March.

The best season to visit the Sunderban is between December and February.

Arrival information:

By air: West Bengal is very well connected with the national and international air network. The international (Netaji Subhash International Airport) and domestic airports of Calcutta are at Dumdum, located 15 km from the city center. The Bagdogra airport at Siliguri connects the state with places in and around the state. Three more airports, namely, Balurghat, Coochbehar and Malda also operate scheduled domestic flights.

By rail: West Bengal runs a major railway network that connects the remainder of the country. Kharagpur railway station has the longest railway platform in India. Moreover, the Howrah railway station is one of the most accessed railway heads in India. New Jalpaiguri railhead connects the rest of the country to Darjeeling by toy trains.

By road: West Bengal is also well connected by way of national as well as state highways with major tourist destinations in and around the state. The state transport corporation runs regular buses connecting these places. There’s also private tour operators that provide luxury coaches to access the nearby places of importance.

Accommodation:

Forest lodges and forest rest houses are available for accommodation at Sajnekhali.

Geographical Details:

- Core : 497 sq. km.

- Buffer : 369 sq. km.

- Total : 866 sq. km

- Longitude : 79°17′ to 76°34′N

- Latitude : 27°5′ to 27°33′ E

- Altitude : 300 m. to 722 m. MSL

- Rainfall : Average 650mm

- Temperature – Minimum : 0°C, Maximum : 41.5°C

Wild attractions: The forests are dry deciduous, with trees of Dhak, Acacia, Ber and Salar. The Tigers of Sariska are largely nocturnal and are not as easily seen as those of Ranthambhor. The park also has good populations of Nilgai, Sambar and Chital. In the evenings, Indian Porcupine, Striped Hyaena, Indian Palm Civet and even Leopard are sometimes seen. The forests are lush during and immediately following the monsoon, but during the dry months of February May there is a shortage of water and in consequence mammals are attracted to water holes. At this time of year visibility is good because of the sparse foliage. Sariska is excellent for birdwatching and has an unusually large population of Indian Peafowl.

Tiger, Sariska Wildlife SanctuaryIn the backdrop of history!

Apart from wildlife, there is touch of historicity as well. Located inside the park are ruins of medieval temples of the Hindu God Shiva. The ruins of the temple Garh-Rajor, built in the 10th century, are scattered all over the jungle. A 17th-century castle on a sharp hilltop at Kanakwari provides an excellent view of Sariska’s avian inhabitants in full flight. It is in this fort that Mughal emperor Aurangzeb once imprisoned his very own brother, Dara Shikoh.

Best time to visit!

Sariska is open to visitors throughout the year, although certain jungle tracks are closed during the monsoon and the breeding season. The best time to visit the park is late in the winter around January or February. If you don’t mind the heat, April to June is a great time to see animals at the waterholes.

Arrival information:

Air: Jaipur is the nearest airport from Sariska at a distance of 107 kms.

Rail: The nearest railway station is at Alwar (37 kms).

Road: Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary is situated off the Delhi-Alwar-Jaipur Road. Jaipur is located at a distance of 107 kms and Delhi at 200 kms from Sariska. It’s also well connected with Alwar, which is further directly connected with bus services from Delhi and Jaipur.

Accommodation:

Hotel accommodation will come in close proximity but outside the park limits. The RTDC has two hotels on the periphery of Sariska, and the forest department operates a small rest-house.