Sunderbans is a great wildlife destination of India and is located in the state of West Bengal. This amazingly beautiful place with rich bio-diversity is also the largest delta in the world with a total area of more than 10000 sq km.

The Sunderbans juts out to rhe neighboring Bangladesh, and is formed by three rivers--Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna. Vast tracts of mangrove forests, saltwater swamps, brackish and fresh water marshes, sand flats, sand dunes, and crocodile-infested estuaries make the Sunderbans that derives its name from the Sundari trees (mangrove), the main trees of the Sunderbans. Actually, the Sunderbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world.

However, the pride of the Sunderbans is the Sunderbans National Park--also called Sunderbans Tiger Reserve. Situated on the Sunderbans Delta, this national park is the largest protected area in the world and the country's biggest national park.

More importantly, the Sunderbans is the last preserve of the Royal Bengal Tigers and boasts of the largest wild tiger population (about 500) in the world. The Sunderbans Tiger Reserve is the site of Tiger Preserve Project, which was started in 1974. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve has a total area of 2585 sq km and a core area of 330 sq km. Besides being home to the Royal Bengal tigers, the Sunderbans is also home to various other types of wild attractions including Cheetal, Wild Boar, Rhesus, Macaque, and the Fishing Cat.

The Sunderbans is also a perfect breeding ground for the estuarine crocodiles. The Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project started at Bhagabatpur has turned out to a great success. Actually, Bhagabatpur is the largest hatchery of estuarine crocodiles in the world. Apart from crocodiles, the Sunderbans is also a great place for the Salvator Lizards, Horse Shoe/King Crabs and River Terrapin.

The Sunderbans is also a paradise for the Trans Himalayan Migratory Birds. The Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary at the Sunderbans much attracts them. The Sunderbans is also the last retreat of the barking deer. The Holiday Island is a great place to see the barking deer in their natural surroundings.

How and when to visit
Sunderbans's main entry point is Port Canning and it remains open for the visitors from July to March. For bird watching, July to September is the most perfect time.