Sundarbans National Park, Location, History, Flora, Fauna, Facts

The Sundarbans National Park is located in the southeastern region of West Bengal, near Kolkata, and forms part of the Gangetic Delta. It is part of the larger Sundarbans mangrove forest, one of the largest in the world, spanning across India and Bangladesh at the merger of the holy rivers  Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers along the Bay of Bengal. The region is renowned for its rich biodiversity, serving home to over 260 bird species, the Bengal tiger, and other endangered species such as the estuarine crocodile and the Indian python.

Sundarbans National Park History

In 1973, the Sundarbans National Park was established under India's Project Tiger initiative to protect the endangered Royal Bengal Tiger. Later, in 1977, the Sundarbans Reserve Forest was declared as a wildlife sanctuary under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, later  was declared a National Park in 1984. 

Sundarbans National Park was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987 for its natural ecosystem and tiger habitat. The Government of India declared it a Biosphere Reserve in 1989, further highlighting its significance. In 2001, it was included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves for its role in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. In 2019, the Sundarbans Wetland was recognized as a Ramsar Site, adding its importance for migratory birds and environmental sustainability. 

Sundarbans National Park Flora

The Sundarbans National Park is serving as home to approximately 64 plant species that have adapted to its unique estuarine conditions and high saline water. Some commonly found plants and trees include Dhundal or Cannonball Mangrove (Xylocarpus granatum), Passur (Xylocarpus mekongensis), Garjan (Rhizophora spp.), Sundari (Heritiera fomes), and Goran (Ceriops decandra). 

This mangrove ecosystem is an example of plant adaptation to brackish water and tidal fluctuations, creating a vital habitat for diverse flora and fauna. Among them, Sundari (Heritiera fomes) is the most prominent species, playing a crucial ecological role by providing shelter and support for both aquatic and terrestrial life.

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Sundarbans National Park Fauna

Sundarbans National Park is also popular for its rich biodiversity, with the Royal Bengal Tiger being its most iconic inhabitant, attracting numerous tourists. Other notable mammals include Fishing Cats, Macaques, Leopard Cats, Indian Grey Mongoose, Wild Boars, Flying Foxes, Pangolins, Chital Deer, and Rhesus Monkeys. 

The region also supports diverse marine life, amphibians, and reptiles, including Crocodiles, Red Fiddler Crabs, Hermit Crabs, Water Monitors, King Cobras, Rock Pythons, River Turtles, and Barking Deer, making it a prosperous ecosystem of unique and endangered species.

Sundarbans National Park Interesting Facts

• The Sundarbans National Park, India’s largest coastal mangrove forest, spans approximately 4,000 sq. km, making it ten times larger than Venice. It consists of 102 islands, with 54 inhabited and the rest covered in dense forests. 
• Sundarbans National Park shares boundaries between India (4,000 sq. km) and Bangladesh (6,000 sq. km), is home to an extensive network of waterways, allowing access to most parts of the forest via boats and ferries. 
• It is known as India’s Largest Fishery Board due to its brackish water and marine fisheries, the region derives its name from the Sundari tree (Heritiera littoralis). 
• The Sundarbans Tiger Reserve is home to around 400 Royal Bengal Tigers.
• The area also experiences unique tides twice a day, with water levels rising by 6-10 feet during high tide and vast mudflats during low tide. 
• The human population density in the Sundarbans is approximately 1,000 persons per sq. km, putting pressure on natural resources. 
• Sundarbans was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1973 and a National Park in 1989, it was also among the finalists for the New Seven Wonders of Nature.