The park is a shining mosaic of nature.
The Sundarbans National Park is one of the key landmarks in West Bengal, India.
It comprises miles of mangroves that span the borders of India and Bangladesh.
According to etymology, the park derives its name from the Sundari tree.
The term, ‘Sundari’, is from the Sanskrit ‘Sundara’.
On May 4, 1984, the area was declared a national park; since 2019, it has been designated a Ramsar site.
DESIblitz takes you on a tropical journey as we discuss the history of the Sundarbans National Park.
Origins
Under the Forest Act of 1865, a significant portion of the mangrove forests was declared to be reserved in 1875.
A forest division was established in 1879, with its headquarters in Khulna, Bangladesh.
In 1911, the park was excluded from the census after it was described as a tract of unexamined waste.
The total area of the park was estimated to be 16,900 square kilometres.
The Sundarbans National Park gradually became intersected by rivers and creeks, with the largest part of the delta in Bangladesh.
Temperatures in the mark can reach averages of between 20 °C and 48 °C.
The geography of the park means that the area is prone to heavy rainfall with high humidity.
Monsoons can occur between June and September, and from May to October, storms that can become cyclones can happen.
Bodies of Water
The park hosts several watercourses and seven main rivers which all form a network at the estuarine delta.
All of the rivers in the Sundarbans National Park lead southwards to the sea.
The Bay of Bengal is a common witness to a great natural depression called the Swatch of No Ground.
When this happens, the depth of water changes from 20 m to 500 m.
The event moves the slits back to form new islands.
Coastal wetlands known as ‘mudflats’ are also found at the estuary and in areas where low tidal currents occur.
These mudflats can be popular tourist attractions and can show beautiful low tides.
The low tides can feature sea anemones and octopuses.
Wildlife
The Sundarbans National Park is home to many endangered and regal wildlife species.
It hosts India’s largest population of Bengal tigers who are feared and admired.
The tigers have been relentlessly poached by hunters in India, which has led to strict bans on the activity.
On the other hand, the tigers pose a dangerous threat to humans and fishermen who venture into the mangrove to collect wood, fish, and honeycomb.
Alongside tigers, the park is also home to the saltwater crocodile, the Ganges river dolphin, and a variety of turtles and crabs.
Mihir Sardar details his experience of being attacked by a tiger in the park. The incident occurred in 2021.
He explains: “It was late evening. I was tired, I slept in the boat. There were two doors on that boat.
“In front and at the back. So, while I had locked the front door, I forgot to lock the back door.
“That’s where the tiger came from and attacked me.”
“The tiger caught me by my left leg and dragged me into the jungle. It was my friend Babloo who fought the tiger to save my life.
“While I held the tiger with his two front claws as it attacked me, Babloo managed to sit on the tiger’s back and tried to hold him by his head, trying to prevent it from eating me.
“Then he fell to the ground. So, as Babloo tackled the tiger, I tried to slowly crawl back in the boat.
“Babloo threw mud in the tiger’s eyes.”
Although the tiger finally retreated, Mihir lost a leg, an ear, an eye and part of his skull in the attack.
Historical Damage & Issues
On May 25, 2009, Cyclone Alia struck the Sundarbans National Park.
It caused severe damage to camps and villages that bordered the reserve.
The damage included flooding and soil erosion.
During the incident, no tiger fatalities were reported. However, two spotted deer were reported to have died.
In May 2020, Cyclone Amphan caused significant damage to Eastern India.
The park was not spared in the natural disaster. Lives were lost and severe damage to infrastructure was reported.
Cyclone Amphan ruined offices, tents and staff quarters in the area.
As previously mentioned, the Sundarbans National Park has witnessed notable human-tiger conflict.
In the past several decades, thousands of locals have met their end in the jaws of these big cats.
With various initiatives including the forming of Tiger Conservation Foundation in 2005, efforts have been made to limit confrontation.
People have also faced limitations on where they can collect fish and wood in the park with rangers and officers patrolling the park on boats.
The Sundarbans National Park is a beacon of culture in India.
It stands as a lush landscape of wildlife, greenery, and heritage.
The park is a shining mosaic of nature and an ornament to the country’s uniqueness.
However, it is sometimes best observed from a distance.
It is important to remember that nature will give us as much respect as we treat it.