| SUNDERBANS Everything you will happen to see or come
across in the wild mangrove forests of the Sundarbans
will irresistibly draw you towards them. The dazzling
expanse of green, the blue heaven overhead meeting the
horizon, the playful high tide and the ebb, the very
smell of life in the air and the pristine sea beach--
you name it.
As if these won`t be enough-- there`s the naive lifestyle
of the fishermen and demanding way of works of the forest
rangers. Or you could catch yourself a fun ride by a
small boat, if you are inclined to having more adventure.
The starlit sky pierced by speeding meteors
leaving dazzling light in its trail, that very celestial
sight of the milky way in clear sky, the roaming of
satellites or even the fireflies moving close by-- all
adds up to the adventure of a lifetime.
The eerie still of the forest shattered
often by the chirping birds, deer and monkeys or roaring
Royal Bengal Tigers can only be found in this part of
the world close somewhat to civilization.
Just being there in a moonlit night can
make you have the fascinating experience of being reborn--
all over again. But it is impossible to travel in this
dense, wild forest without organized assistance. A well-
equipped vessel is what you need to get first to be
able to swan around in this barren land ran through
by rivers and rivulets. Better if you have a skilled
tour operator to fall back on, who can guide you through
the splendour of the Sundarbans.
The Sundarbans forest, the largest mangrove
forest in the world is situated in the south-west corner
of Bangladesh. The total area of the Sundarbans reserved
forest including the West Bengal portion, comprises
of 10,000 sq. km., of which Bangladesh portion is approximately
6000 sq.km., inclusive of new emerging islands. The
area is divided into 55 administrative forest compartments
by the Department of forest and environment , each with
a land area of 40 to 160 sq.km and divided into several
islands. There are three wildlife sanctuary areas 'Kotka-Kachikhali
Tiger point', 'Hironpoint' and 'Manderbaria', number
of unexplored natural beaches, innumerable rivers, canals
and creeks in the Sundarbans forest, one third of which
is water body making the waterways as the only means
to enter the forest. It is famous as the habitat for
its semi-aquatic tigers, popularly known as the Royal
Bengal Tiger. It has a fair amount of spotted deer,
wild boar, rhesus monkey, salt-water crocodile, water
monitor lizard, pythons, etc. The forest treasures 330
plant species, 35 species of reptiles, 400 types of
fishes, 270 species of birds and 42 species of mammals.
The Bengal tiger, biggest of the cat family, plays a
very important role in the forest ecology as well as
in the rich mythology and legend.
The forest dwellers gradually developed a culture of
their own, having an isolated life from the main stream,
which expressed itself in many ways, peculiarly suited
to the local forest ecosystem. There are some rituals
and religious festivals observed in the Sundarbans.
Annual fair in the Dubla island on the day of Raash
Purnima is observed in the month of November. Borderline
Hindu community , devotees from different parts of the
country including India gather in the Dubla island to
bathe and make offerings against a wish. And the forest
product collectors engaged in various profession, before
entering the forest had been paying homage to certain
gods and deities whom they thought to be their saviours
and protectors. Banabibi is very widely worshipped as
their saviour.
The Sundarbans over the years attracts adventurous forest
product collectors, hunters, nature and wildlife lovers,
researchers, and tourists. To extract different forest
products each group has a professional name, like the
'Baolis' ( timber, fuelwood, and thatching materials
collectors), the 'Jalias' ( fishermen of both inland
and offshore), 'Moualis' (the honey collectors), and
'Jongrakhuta' ( gastropod collectors), etc. Professions
like fishing with the help of tame Otter, honey collection,
etc., are unique of the area. Gathering wild honey in
the wildness of the Sundarbans is among the oldest professions
practiced by the dwellers of the area and still practiced
in the traditional ways. Honey hunter's community lives
along the borderline of the western forests are mostly
destitute day labourer, although they are descendents
of their professional ancestors. Honey Hunting season
continues for 3-months starting at the end March or
beginning of the April every year.
The Sundarbans play an important role in the economy
of the southwestern region of Bangladesh as well as
in the national economy. It is the single largest source
of forest produce in the country. The forest has been
declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1999.
Tour-A: KOTKA WILDLIFE
SANCTUARY
(3days/2nights) both
way by air
Day01: Take
the morning flight to Jessore . Upon arrival, drive
to Mongla by reserved vehicle. At Mongla board the
waiting motor boat. Immediately lunch will be served
and the boat will start its journey towards the
Sundarbans forest. On way, the boat will stop at
Daingmari Forest station to take the permit and
pay the fees. The cruising will continue till it
gets dark to anchor the boat near a suitable Forest
Station for the night. Overnight on the boat inside
the forest.
Day02: Very early in the morning the boat
will resume its journey to wards the Forest which
will continue till it arrives Kotka. Upon arrival,
anchor the boat and it might be possible to take
a short walk inside the forest and climbing the
watch tower to have a glimpse of the forest. Lunch
on the boat and after lunch, the accompanying Guide
will lead you towards the Kotka Forest Office, where
you will find plenty of deer, etc. Back to the boat
and afternoon Tea/Coffee with cookies will be served
and the boat will start its return journey towards
Mongla. On the way the boat will anchor near a Forest
office for overnight. On this evening, Bar-B-Q dinner
will be offered. Overnight on the boat inside the
forest.
Day 03: Very early in the morning , the boat
will resume its journey to wards Mongla. Enroute
the boat will stop at Karamjal to allow you to visit
this place where some wildlife are being reared
by the Forest department. After an early lunch,
leave the boat at Mongla and drive to Jessore airport
to fly back to Dhaka by the late afternoon flight.
Upon arrival at Dhaka, we shall transfer you to
your hotel/ house. |
Tour-B: KOTKA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
(4 days/3 nights) both
way by air or by AC bus
Day01: Take
the morning flight to Jessore . Upon arrival, drive
to Mongla by reserved vehicle. At Mongla board the
waiting motor boat. Immediately lunch will be served
and the boat will start its journey towards the
Sundarbans forest. On way, the boat will stop at
Daingmari Forest station to take the permit and
pay the fees. The cruising will continue till it
gets dark to anchor the boat near a suitable Forest
Station for the night. Overnight on the boat inside
the forest.
Day02: Early in the morning the boat will
resume its journey to wards the Forest which will
continue till it reaches Kotka. At Kotka it might
be possible to take a walk through the forest trail
up to the Beach, climbing the watch tower, etc.
You can bathe and swim here also. Back to the boat
and after lunch, you can visit the Kotka forest
office and adjoining areas to look for deer, monkeys
,etc . Back to the boat in the evening for dinner
and overnight inside the Forest.
Day 03: Early in the morning trip inside
the Kotka canals with small country boat to see
the wild life, birds, etc.,feel the forest from
very close range. After breakfast, more forest activities
will follow. Around late afternoon the boat will
start its journey back towards Mongla and will stop
near the Forest Station either at Harintana or Supothi.
Overnight inside the forest.
Day 04: Early in the morning the boat will
resume its journey towards Mongla. You will leave
the boat at Mongla port immediately after an early
lunch and drive to Jessore airport to take the afternoon
flight for Dhaka. Arrival at Dhaka in the evening.
|
Tour-C: KOTKA AND KACHIKHALI
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
( 5days/4nights) both way
by AC bus
Day 01 :
Leave Dhaka in the morning by AC Bus for Khulna
with packed lunch. Arrival at Khulna in the afternoon,
and will be transferred to our boat M. V. BHELA.
The boat will immediately start cruising towards
the Sundarbans Forest, en-route collecting permit
from the Daingmari Forest Station and overnight
at Daingmari.
Day02: Early in the morning, leave for Kachikhali,
Tiger point. Arrive Kachikhali around 1400hrs. In
the afternoon, beach walk and hiking in the Kochikhali
area to see wild life and forest. Back to the boat
in the evening. Overnight at Kachikhali.
Day03: Early in the morning we shall offer
trip through Kachikhali canals by country boat to
see the wildlife and feel the forest from very close
range. After breakfast, jungle walk, beach walk,
sun-bathing (swimming), etc., will be offered. Around
1300hrs. the boat will leave for Kotka wildlife
sanctuary. In the afternoon, more forest activities
including climbing the watch tower to have a glimpse
of the forest, walk around the Kotka Forest office,
etc., will be offered. Overnight at Kotka.
Day04: Early in the morning we shall offer
trip through small creeks and canals by country
boat. Around 0900hrs, leave Kotka for Khulna. In
the afternoon the boat will stop at Karamjal Wildlife
Breeding Centre, where you can see some wildlife,
being reared by the Forest department. Arrival at
Khulna in the evening. Those who want to leave for
Dhaka by night coach , will leave the boat after
dinner. The other guests will stay overnight at
Khulna.
Day05: Leave for Dhaka by
AC coach in the morning with packet lunch. Arrival
at Dhaka in the afternoon.
|
Tour-D: Rash-mela Festival At
Dubla Island
(Jungle walk, Boat cruise,
Fishermen village, Folk & mystic songs)
Day01 :Leave Dhaka in the
morning by AC Bus for Khulna with packet lunch.
Upon arrival at Khulna in the afternoon, you will
be transferred to our boat M.V.BHELA. The boat
will immediately start cruising towards the Sundarbans
Forest, en-route collecting permit from the Daingmari
Forest Station and overnight at Daingmari.
Day02 : Early in the morning
,leave for Hiron point wildlife sanctuary. Arrive
around 1400hrs. In the afternoon hiking near the
Forest office and climbing the watch tower to
have a glimpse of the forest. Back to the boat
in the evening for overnight at Hiron point.
Day03: Early in the morning
we shall offer trip through Nilkamal khal by country
boat to see the wildlife and feel the forest from
very close range.After breakfast, more forest
activities will be offered. Around 1300hrs.,leave
for Dubla island. In the afternoon, explore the
fishermen island and enjoy the festivities by
different groups with songs and rituals from different
parts of the country. In the late evening back
to the boat for dinner and
overnight.
Day04: Early in the morning,
you will see the devotees gather in the shoreline
with their offerings. They will take baths to
wash out their sins. Then back to the boat and
leave for Khulna around 0900hrs. On the way visit
Laudop to explore the Banabibi worship place.
Arrival Khulna around 2100 hrs. Overnight at Khulna.
Day05: Leave for Dhaka by AC coach in the
morning with packet lunch. Arrival Dhaka in the
afternoon.
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Tour-E: HONEY HUNTING FESTIVAL
AT BURI GOALINI
(Jungle walk, Boat
cruise, Honey collection & Honey collector's
village)
31 Mar/Day01: Leave Dhaka
by AC Bus at 0800 hrs in the morning for Sathkhira
with lunch break at Jessore. Upon arrival at Burigoalini
, you will board our "cruising vessel"
M.V.BHELA. Time permitting, you can visit the
Burigoalini forest office. Back to the boat in
the evening for dinner and overnight.
01Apr/Day02: After breakfast,
enjoy the Honey hunting festival opening ceremony
in front of the Burigoalini forest office. After
lunch, cruise inside the Sundarbans following
the honey hunters boat. If possible, enjoy the
honey collection from of the honey hunters in
the afternoon. Overnight inside the forest.
02Apr/Day03: Enjoy the honey
collection activities whole day. It will be a
very very hard day for all the participants following
the honey hunters on foot inside the forest through
mud, mangrove roots, jungles, etc. Overnight on
the boat inside the forest.
03Apr/Day04: After breakfast,
leave the honey collectors and cruise back to
Burigoalini forest office and the boat will start
cruising to wards Khulna. Arrival Khulna in the
evening. Overnight on the boat at Khulna.
04Apr/Day05: After breakfast,
by AC Bus leave for Dhaka. Arrive Dhaka in the
late afternoon.
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NOTE:
In the case of Itinerary B
& C:
Both ways by air:
The guest will catch the morning flight on day 01 and
lunch on boat. Leave the boat on day 04 at Mongla after
lunch and transfer to Jessore airport to catch the evening
flight for Dhaka.
Both ways by bus: The guest will leave Dhaka
in the morning of day 01 and back to Dhaka either by
AC Night coach on day 04 after dinner or by
OTHER INFORMATION FOR SUNDARBANS TRIP
Meal Time
Breakfast: 0730-0830
hrs Morning Tea: 0530 hrs
Lunch: 1230-1330 hrs Morning Snacks
& Tea: 1000-1100 hrs
Dinner: 1930-2030 hrs Afternoon Snacks
& Tea: 1530-1630 hrs
Standard menu:
Breakfast:
Toast, Butter, Egg-omelet/fry,
Jam, Sundarbans honey, tea & coffee, seasonal fruit.
Chapati, omelet, mixed vegetable, Sundarbans honey,
tea & coffee, fresh fruit.
Lunch:
Plain rice, mixed vegetable,
thick dal (lintels), fish fry, salad, tea & coffee,
dessert.
Plain polau, fried vegetable, chicken curry, salad,
tea & coffee, dessert
Khichuri, potato chop, fried vegetable, mutton curry,
salad, tea & coffee, dessert
Dinner:
Plain rice, vegetable
chop, thick dal, fish or chicken curry, mixed vegetable,
salad, tea & coffee, dessert
Fried rice, French fry, boiled vegetable, chicken curry,
salad, tea & coffee, dessert.
Noodle & fried rice, mixed vegetable, Bar-B-Q chicken
& fish, salad, tea & coffee, dessert.
**Chef will select the day's menu
from the above items.
Note:
(1) Best time to visit St.
Martin's Island is from November -February, when the
weather is comfortable and sea is calm.
(2) Any of the above tours can be extended as per the
wishes of the guest(s).
(3) For the trip to Rangamati and Bandarban, we organise
the Tribal cultural programme for the visiting group
of minimum of 6-persons and above.
(4) Foreign nationals visiting any Hill districts must
carry a photocopy of passport.
SUNDARBANS AT A
GLANCE
The Sundarbans, single
largest chunk of productive mangrove forest in the
world. Named after it's commercially important tree
SUNDARI, Sundarbans- means forests of Sundari trees.
The mangrove resources of the Sundarbans comprise
of forests, fisheries, wildlife and water. Due to
its character it is always mysterious to the nature
lover, scientists, researchers and tourists. The
Sundarbans have been under some form of management
since the 1860s and most of the forests were declared
reserved forests in 1875 76. Four, out of the six
Ranges created by Curtis are now in Bangladesh portion
of the Sundarbans. A professional forester is now
posted as the Ranger. A very
detailed set of regulations is laid out which cover
all financial matters in the Sundarbans. The Divisional
Forest Officer (DFO) is an authorized drawing and
disbursement officer and as a result he can act
as a Treasurer of the forest department.
Divisions: 02, East & West
Ranges: 04, Sarankhola, Chandpai, Khulna,
Satkhira
Compartments: 55, Administrative sets
Main Rivers: Large and small tidal waterways
providing opportunities for cruising and boating.
Among the huge number of rivers Baleswar, Sela,
Passur, Shibsha, Malancha, Raimongal & Kobadak
are very important for the forest's ecology.
Tidal Creeks: The water body of the forests
contains a large number of tidal creeks, which are
essential in navigating through the mangroves and
are important factors in the drainage pattern of
the forests.
Beaches: Unspoiled, wild & totally undeveloped
sandy beaches throughout along the Bay of Bengal
and around some islands.
Archaeology: Rare sites set in the forests
and representing the oldest communities in this
region. Shibsha temple is one of the historical
and archeoligical evidence still declaring it's
former glory.
The forest treasures 330 plant species, 35 species
of reptiles 400 types of finfishes, 270 species
of birds and 42 species of mammals. This represents
about 28% of the reptiles, 36% of the birds, and
33% of all mammals occurring in Bangladesh.
Common vegetation: Sundari, Kewra, Passur,
Dhundul, Kakra, Gewa, Amur, Goran, Garjan, Kholshi,
Bola, Hental, Nypa Palm, Tiger fern, Horgoza etc.
Common wildlife: The largest single population of
the Bengal Tiger with spotted deer, wild-boar, rhesus
monkey, monitor lizard, otter, gangetic dolphin,
saltwater crocodiles, king cobra, Bengal cobra etc.
Common Birds: Migratory, local migratory
& local birds consist the bird life of the Sundarbans
about 270 species are so far recorded. The great
white egret, lesser adjutant stork, white bellied
sea eagle, kites, masked finfoot, kingfishers, drongos,
bee-eaters, woodpeckers, paddy field pipit, red
jungle fowl, etc. are commonly found.
Cuisine: Many different species of edible
fish, prawns and crabs.
Tropical Climate: The four main seasons are
pre-monsoon (March-May), monsoon (June-September),
post-monsoon (October-November), and the dry winter
season (December-February). The coolest temperature
occurs during December-January and the warmest at
the end of the dry season, during May-June.
Rainfall: Rainfall increases from west to
east and the mean annual rainfall within the forest
varies from about 2000mm in the east to 1600mm in
the west.
Salinity: pH in river waters varies little.
Three salinity zones were recognized for the entire
Sundarbans by Curtis based on site quality. Accordingly
Bangladesh Sundarbans is located in the freshwater
and moderately saltwater zone while the Indian Sundarbans
is in the saltwater zone.
Geology: The surface geology consists entirely
of quaternary sediments, sand and silt, intercalated
with marine salt and clay. The Sundarbans mangroves
grow on soil formations of recent origin consisting
of alluvium washed down from the Himalayas.
Economy: It is the single largest source
of forest produce in the country. According to the
forest department's report the forest was producing
about 45% of the total timber and fuel wood output
from the forests of the country.
Profession: The forest department since the
beginning of the 1990s has stopped commercial wood
felling. Considerable changes have taken place in
the socio-economic structure in the habitations
around the Sundarbans. The possibilities of pursuing
the traditional professions have been dwindling
too. But still the Woodcutters, Honey collectors,
Fishermen and Mollusk shell collectors survive.
About 3.5 million people of the impact zone of the
forest either directly or indirectly dependent on
forest product.
Environment: Natural delta development cannot,
therefore, be separated from human interventions,
which have always been a part of this process. While
natural phenomena such as subsidence and earthquakes
and stochastic events like cyclones & tidal
surges affect the costal system in many ways, their
effects have been exacerbated by human activities.
Tourism: The Sundarbans is unique scientific
and biological interest & offers opportunities
for tourism, outdoor recreation, biological research
and conservation education. Some areas in the forest
have been earmarked as protected. No forestry operations
are carried out in these areas, which support a
rich concentration of wildlife as well as vegetation,
which has not been disturbed for decades. The Sundarbans
has excellent potential for tourism and if properly
developed, this could be a major source of foreign
exchange for the country. |
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