The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world. The total area of the Sundarbans is about 10,000 sq km, which is jointly located between Bangladesh and India. The Bangladesh part of the Sundarbans covers an area of 6,017 sq km. The Sundarbans of Bangladesh is part of Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Patuakhali and Barguna districts. The Sundarbans of India consists of South 24 Parganas District and North 24 Parganas District of West Bengal. In 1997, UNESCO recognized the Sundarbans as a World Heritage Site.
For thousands of years, the Sundarbans has been formed by the accumulation of sediments that have naturally separated from the upstream due to the inflow of currents along the Bay of Bengal. Its geographical structure is deltaic, with numerous streams on the surface and earthen walls and mudflats scattered on the surface. It also includes marginal grasslands, sands and islands above the average sea level, which are covered like a net with canals, earthen mud walls, primitive-island mud and accumulated silt. 0.9 m to 2.11 m above sea level in the Sundarbans.
The Sundarbans, rich in biodiversity, covers 1,84 sq km of waterlogged areas, including rivers and beels. The Sundarbans is home to a wide variety of birds, including the Royal Bengal Tiger, Chitra deer, crocodiles and snakes. There are about 350 species of plants, 120 species of fish, 280 species of birds, 42 species of mammals, 35 species of reptiles and 6 amphibians. The Sundarbans is named after the beautiful tree. Waterways are the only way to get into the Sundarbans.
The Sundarbans is a popular tourist destination for leisure travel. Katka, Hiran Point (commonly known as Nilkamal), Dublar Char and Tiger Point (Kachikhali) attract a large number of tourists every year. Cuttack has impeccable scenery and is extremely attractive to wildlife travelers. Hiran Point also has a guest house for tourists and an observation tower. Dublar Char is a small island, with beautiful beaches. There is a post bungalow run by the forest department and an observation tower.
Another attraction is the fishing activity, which runs from mid-October to mid-February each year. Hundreds of fishermen came from different parts of the country, especially from Chittagong. Here they catch fish and dry it on sunny beaches. Honey beekeepers usually go deep into the forest in April-May to look for bees.
Winter is a good time to visit the Sundarbans.
