The Sundarbans

The Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site straddling the delta where the mighty Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers meet the sea, is the largest mangrove forest in the world, a vast, mysterious wilderness of tidal channels, mudflats and dense, salt-tolerant forest. Explored only by boat through its labyrinth of waterways, it is a haven of extraordinary wildlife: spotted deer, crocodiles, dolphins and a wealth of birds, and, most famously, it is the last great stronghold of the elusive and endangered Royal Bengal tiger, which here has adapted to swim between the islands.

History

The name means "beautiful forest", though it most likely comes from the sundari, the local name of one of its mangrove trees. In the Mughal period local rulers leased out tracts of forest for settlement, and in 1757 the East India Company obtained proprietary rights over the Sundarbans from the Mughal emperor. The first forest management division with jurisdiction over the area was set up in 1869, and in 1875 a large part of the mangroves was declared reserved forest under the Indian Forest Act of 1865. The Indian part was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1987 and the Bangladeshi part in 1997, and the Sundarbans Reserved Forest in Bangladesh became a Ramsar wetland on 21 May 1992 (Wikipedia, Sundarbans).

What's there

• The mangrove labyrinth - the vast tidal forest and waterways.
• The Royal Bengal tiger - the elusive tigers of the forest.
• The wildlife - the deer, crocodiles, dolphins and birds.
• The boat safaris - the trips through the channels and forest.

When to go

November to March, the cool, dry season, is by far the best time, with the most comfortable weather and the best wildlife viewing; the monsoon brings heavy rain and rough conditions. Visits are made on multi-day boat tours from Khulna or Mongla, cruising and stopping at watchtowers and forest stations.

Practical notes

The famous tigers are extremely elusive and rarely seen, so visitors should come for the extraordinary mangrove wilderness, birdlife and atmosphere rather than expecting a tiger sighting; the experience is a slow, immersive boat journey rather than a game drive. It is remote and best on an organised tour. As the largest mangrove forest on earth and a uniquely wild, watery wilderness, though, the Sundarbans are unforgettable.

Nearby

The city of Khulna and the port of Mongla are the gateways.

Key facts