Wild wild Sunderban

What does the mention of Sunderban bring to one's mind? It is almost always the Royal Bengal tiger. Sunderban is the largest habitat of the Royal Bengal tigers where one can see fresh pugmarks on the mud flats of this deltaic region. Sunderban, a paradise for nature lovers and eco-tourism, is the world's largest estuarine mangrove forest. It derives its name from the 'sundari' trees. The mangrove forests consist of genwa, dhundal, passur, garjan and kankra among a variety of flora, which can thrive in saline water.

The face of Sunderban changes dramatically with the diurnal tides. The region is water-logged and in perpetual flux. At peak high tide, more than half the land is submerged and the forest appears to float. Situated on the southern tip of the Gangetic West Bengal, Sunderban comprises a land of 54 tiny islands, criss-crossed by innumerable tributaries and distributaries of the Ganges and creeks and backwaters all over.

The region, once infested by pirates, is now the abode of varied flora, fauna and human population. Almost 70 per cent of the area of 9,630 sq km is under saline water. Besides the Royal Bengal tigers, the forest is also home to a variety of fauna including the largest deltaic crocodiles, dolphins, the king cobra, lizards, pythons, Olive Ridley turtles, chequered killback, Gangetic gharial (alligator), deers, and a variety of resident and migratory birds including herons, egrets, cormorants, fishing eagles, seagulls, kingfishers, whimbrels, black-tailed godwits, little stints, easter knots, curlews, sandpipers, golden plovers, pintails and whistling teals.

Apart from its geographical features, Sunderban has several other notable features - it is a national park and part of the government-initiated 'Project Tiger'. UNESCO declared it as a Biosphere Reserve as well as a World Heritage Site (Natural) in 1997.

Besides the Royal Bengal tigers, another facet of the Sunderban is its people. In spite of their difficulties they add a colourful chapter to the region. Inaccessible terrain, threat by wild animals, illiteracy and poverty have made life difficult for them. In spite of these difficulties, they live in harmony with nature by fishing and collecting honey. One must spend some time with these fisherfolk or for that matter with the honey collectors to share their thoughts and difficulties.

The livelihood of the fishermen is dependent on fishing in the saline waters within the reserve. Fishing is allowed only in the buffer zone to those people holding permits. The narrow watercourses are ideal for fishing prawns and crabs, especially during low tides. Similarly, people are allowed to collect honey in the buffer zone only during particular months of the year.

The important places that tourists must visit are the Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary, Fraserganj, Ganga Sagar, Lothian Island Bird Sanctuary, Basanti, Gosaba, Mayadwip, Kalasdwip, Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project, Piyali and Bakkhali.

The Sunderban Development Board requires special mention. A government of West Bengal undertaking, it has been working relentlessly to develop the region and uplift the conditions of its people. Besides developing the region's infrastructure, the board is associated with a micro level analysis of the population and human settlements of the region, spreading environmental awareness and promoting eco-tourism. It is also playing an important role in the conservation of the biodiversity in the region. The board is also working to identify alternative sources of income for the people and with their help is trying to commercially utilise the untapped