THE SUNDERBANS IS A region that crosses India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. It’s a massive mangrove forest, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and known for a wide range of fauna such as the Royal Bengal tiger, Ganges River dolphin, estuarine crocodile, and many more rare and endangered species. The Sunderbans is on the Bay of Bengal, the largest bay in the world. Numerous rivers feed into it, including the mighty Ganga (Ganges), Brahmaputra, and Meghna. The delta created by these rivers is a vast and diverse marine ecosystem that includes the Sundarbans.

Overall, the Sunderbans and the Bay of Bengal is a region rich in biological diversity. In the north-eastern part of the Indian Ocean, it’s home to fascinating coral reefs, estuaries, and a wide variety of wildlife and birds. It’s also home to millions of people – with a unique culture influenced by the wetlands, waterways, shifting islands, extreme weather, and other unique features of this region. The coastal regions along the Bay of Bengal feature multiple sites of historical and religious significance, as well as old sea ports.

Among the Bay of Bengal’s most interesting natural phenomena are the monsoon-laden winds that make some parts of the Indian sub-continent among the wettest places on earth.

A journey to the Sunderbans

When I was in Kolkata for Durga Puja, I had the opportunity to spend a few days in the Sunderbans. It’s only a two-three hours’ drive from Kolkata to Sunderbans National Park. After driving through many small towns and villages on the way, we reached Gothkhali Jetty where we took a two-hour boat ride to Sunderban Tiger Camp.Sunderban Tiger Camp is a small resort on the banks of the Dattwa River, literally immersed in the natural environment of the Sunderbans. You don’t even need to leave the grounds to experience the local flora and fauna. Accommodation is in separate cottages or rooms in a newer building. The room was comfortable, otherwise it’s a simple resort, suited to families and nature lovers.

Each day I stayed at Sunderban Tiger Camp, we went out by boat into the national park, slowly plying the waterways, looking for animals along the banks, birds in the sky, and marine creatures such as crocodiles. I was accompanied by a local guide and the boat crew. At certain points, where there’s a ranger station, the boat docked and we walked along a boardwalk to a watch tower, to see a bit of the interior.

Nevertheless, the real joy of the Sunderbans is just being there. It’s a unique landscape and culture, a biodiversity hotspot, and unlike almost anywhere else on earth. The boat safari, aboard a vintage wooden boat, is a leisurely way to see the park. There’s nothing to do but relax and watch the scenery go by. And drink tea! They serve tea aboard, and it’s a lovely touch. Sunderban Tiger Camp also sent along a packed lunch.