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Within the Sundarbans National Park is the largest mangrove forest in the world. It is also home to the Sundari tree, from where this area gets its name.
The forests here are a dazzling mélange of color - the fire-like red of the Genwa, the intricate red of the Kankara and the brilliant yellow of the Khalsi fill the traveler's heart with unbridled delight. The park is also home to chital, fiddler crabs, hermit crabs, king cobras, rock pythons, river terrapin and barking deer. Among the rulers of the sky are white-bellied sea eagles, sandpipers, egrets, seagulls, terns, black-tailed godwits, whistling teal and kingfishers.
The Royal Bengal Tiger stalks supreme over this delta. However, the Sundarbans has also spearheaded efforts for the conservation of Ridley Sea Turtles.
While here, do drop by at the hatchery of estuarine crocodiles at Bhagabatpur and at Kanak, where Olive Ridley turtles congregate. The best time to visit the Sundarbans is between September and May. A river cruise is the only way to explore the delights of this sanctuary.
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