Extension Services
Indian Sundarban
Register
- Is it the jungle of only beautiful (Sundari, Heritiera fomes) trees?- The largest deltaic system in the world consists of 10,200 km 2 of mangrove forest, spread over India and Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world is known as the ‘Sundarban’. India holds 40% of this mangrove forest. This unique ecosystem gained a feather on its crown as a ‘World Heritage site’ in 2001. It is also the second Biosphere Reserve (9,600 km 2 ) in India. Sunderban Biosphere Reserve (21°10’46” N, 88°58’21” E) includes Sundarban Tiger Reserve, Sundarban National Park (core area), Halliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS), Lothian Island WLS, Sanjnekhali WLS and West Sundarban WLS forming its buffer area. Muriganga, Saptamukhi, Thakuran, Matla, Goasaba, Raimangal and Harinbhanga are major rivers arranged in an intricated network of waterways. This Ramsar site also holds an extremely rich diversity of aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna.
- An inimitable landscape of synchronism between humans and wildlife- It is the only mangrove tiger (Panthera tigris) land in the world. This biodiversity hotspot also supports the habitats of some Schedule I fauna like Estuarine Crocodile (Crocodilus porosus), Fishing Cat (Felis viverrina), Gangetic Dolphin (Platinista gangetica), River Terrapin (Batagur baska), marine turtles like Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) etc. This ‘Important Bird Area’ (IBA) is also considered the kingfishers’ paradise. This highly productive ecosystem acts as a natural nursery ground for many exotic aquatic species and the mangrove acts as a natural shield, reducing the fury of cyclonic storms and preventing coastal erosion caused by tidal action. The inhabitants of forest fringe villages totally depend on the ecosystem for their livelihood and sustenance through fishing, collection of honey and fuelwood/timber. Royal Bengal Tiger of Sundarban is often referred to as 'umbrella species', i.e., their conservation also conserves many other species in the same area. National Tiger Conservation Authority and the State Forest Departments use M-STrIPES application and camera Trap method in the latest Phase IV AITE in 2018 for tiger census. Sundarban Tiger Reserve is in a leading position to conserve and monitor the endangered Royal Bengal Tigers (2020-21 Phase IV Tiger Estimation- 96).
- Onboard with the stimulating intricacies- With increasing human population and development, the area faces many anthropogenic threats including illegal fishing, cutting of mangroves, poaching and encroachment. Unmanaged tourism also threatens the sensitive ecology of Sundarban. The major occupation of the villagers was based on a collection of aquatic bio-resources available in surrounding creeks, rivers, and estuaries. Resource dependency activities were the major occupations in all the regions of Sundarban with nearly 60% population being engaged followed by wage earners and self- resilience. Moulis risks their lives for mangrove honey collection from the deep forest for man- eaters, which occasionally results in fatalities. During the agricultural lean season, people resort to fishing and the collection of prawn seeds, even risking their lives from man-eating tigers and crocodiles. The name ‘Bidhoba Palli’ means a ‘village of widows’ suggests the tragic fate of the Sundarbans islanders’ forest-based subsistence, in which fishermen are often killed by tigers while fishing in the rivers. The conservation of mangroves and tigers in the Sundarbans has resulted in a complete ban on fishing in the core (National Park) and Sanctuary areas even though it limits the customary fishing rights of the local fishermen. A boat license certificate (BLC) creates a socioeconomic division within the fishing communities. The ‘Khola bada’ (buffer area) has 6 forested blocks Panchamukhani, Pirkhali, Arbesi, Jhilla, Khatuajhuri, and Harinbhanga.
- Ride of waterwheels amidst the mystic mangroves- You stay in our ‘Jungle camp’ sustainable green resort on the fringe of the Sundarban Tiger Reserve (STR), enjoying the muddy essence of mystic mangroves of the world heritage site. Our experts and specialists take you through the muddy mangrove trails amidst the mangrove forest, the habitat of living fossils the ‘Horse Shoe Crab’ and the indigenous communities. You will enjoy the thrilling journey of houseboats/ country boats through the narrow trench of rivulets experiencing the fresh pugmark on the mudflat or the evening glimpse of ‘Royal’ within these waterways. Our learned team will opportune your experiences with flora and fauna, while you learn to explore nature as a naturalist, and a wildlife photographer. Back home, in the evening your sessions are enlightened with cultural performances, stories and folklores, local recipes and a debriefing session with the campfire.
Location: Sundarban Jungle Camp; Course Name: Climate Change & Coastal Adaptation
Brief Itinerary of ‘Climate Change & Coastal Adaptation’ in Indian Sundarban
Day 1: Arrival and Orientation
| Timing | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6.30 AM | Leaving Kolkata |
| 08.00 AM | Godkhali |
| 09.00 AM | Boat ride, breakfast in the boat |
| 09.00 AM to 12.00 PM | Tour on waterways |
| 12.00 PM to 01.00 PM | Tipligheri- Welcome ceremony and refreshments by indigenous mangrove nursery women group |
| Freshen up | |
| 02.00 PM | Lunch |
| 03.00 PM | Mangrove Mania (indoor) |
| 04.00 PM | Mangrove walk through bamboo ramp/ mud skipping on mangrove bed |
| 06.00 PM | Tea and evening snacks |
| 07.00 PM | Mystic mangrove and floral assemblage- Brainstorming session |
| 08.00 PM | Debriefing and refreshments |
| 09.30 PM | Dinner |
Day 2: Field Activity
| Timing | Activity |
|---|---|
| 07.00 AM | Tea, breakfast |
| 08.00 AM | Exploring the rivulets |
| Experiencing the presence of living fossil | |
| 02.00 PM | Lunch |
| 03.00 PM | What is the essence of UNESCO World Heritage site (Indoor) |
| 04.00 PM | Bird watching/ visit to the seed bank and demo field of salt tolerant indigenous landraces of rice/ ramp walk |
| 06.00 PM | Tea, Learning assessment |
| 08.00 PM | Debriefing and discussion |
| 09.30 PM | Dinner |
Day 3: Field Activity
| Timing | Activity |
|---|---|
| 08.00 AM | Morning tea and breakfast |
| 09.00 AM to 12.00 PM | Tour on the waterwheels and lunch |
| 01.00 PM | Car from Godkhali |
| 04.00 PM to 05.00 PM | Back to Kolkata |
How to enrol in the course
Please see the steps for enrolling in these all-time hit courses. Remember, seats are limited to only
10 (Ten) in each session to ensure sustainable tourism. So, the earlier you register, the earlier you
get a chance to be on board. First come first served.
* The Itineraries are changeable; modifications can be done as per the requirements.
