Khulna the port city
of Bangladesh and gateway to Sundarbans.
In Khulna
KHULNA
Khulna is the third biggest industrial city of the country. It is a
divisional headquarter which serves as a gateway to the seaport of
Mongla and the Sundarbans. Khulna is also famous for shrimp processing
and newsprint.
Mongla : Mongla is the second seaport of
the country and gateway to the Sundarbans. It lies 38 km. to the south
of Khulna. The port authority has got motor launches to go to the
forest.
Sundarban : In the south-western part of
Bangladesh, in the district of greater Khulna, lies the Sundarbans, the
beautiful forest. It is a virgin forest which until recently owed
nothing to human endeavour and yet nature has laid it out with as much
care as a planned pleasure ground. For miles and miles, the lofty
treetops form an unbroken canopy, while nearer the ground, works of high
and ebb-tide marked on the soil and tree trunks and the many varieties
of the natural mangrove forest have much to offer to an inquisitive
visitor.
Here land and water meet in many novel fashions, Wildlife presents many
a spectacle. No wonder, you may come across a Royal Bengal Tiger
swimming across the streams or the crocodiles basking on the river
banks. With the approach of the evening herds of deer make for the
darking glades where boisterous monkeys shower Keora leaves from above
for sumptuous meal for the former. For the botanist, the lover of
nature, the poet and the painter this land provides a variety of wonder
for which they all crave.
The Sundarbans is a cluster of islands with an approximate area of 6000
sq. km. forming the largest block of littoral forests. It's beauty lies
in its unique natural surrounding. Thousands of meandering streams,
creeks, rivers and estuaries have enhanced its charm. Sundarbans meaning
beautiful forest is the natural habital of the world famous Royal Bengal
Tiger, spotted deer, crocodiles, jungle fowl, wild boar, lizards, theses
monkey and an innumerable variety of beautiful birds. Migratory flock of
Siberian ducks flying over thousands of sail boats loaded with timber,
golpatta (round-leaf), fuel wood, honey, shell and fish further add to
the serene natural beauty of the Sundarbans.
This is indeed a land for the sportsmen, the anglers and the
photographers with its abundance of game, big and small, crocodile, wild
boar, deer, pythons, wild-birds and above all the Royal Bengal Tiger,
cunning, ruthless and yet majestic and graceful, For the less
adventurously inclined, there are ducks and snipes, herons and coots,
yellow-lags and sandpipers. It is also the land for the ordinary holiday
makers who desire to rest or wander around at will to refresh their mind
and feast their eyes with the rich treasure that nature has so fondly
bestowed.
General Information
AREA : Nearly 2400 sq. miles or 6000 sq.
km.
FOREST LIMITS : North-Bagerhat, Khulna and
Sathkira districts : South-Bay of Bengal; East-Baleswar (or Haringhata)
river, Perojpur, Barisal district, and West-Raimangal and Hariabhanga
rivers which partially form Bangladesh boundary with West Bengal in
India.
MAIN ATTRACTIONS : Wildlife photography
including photography of the famous Royal Bengal Tiger, wildlife
viewing, boating inside the forest will call recordings, nature study,
meeting fishermen, wood-cutters and honey-collectors, peace and
tranquility in the wilderness, seeing the world's largest mangrove
forest and the riverine beauty.
FAMOUS SPOTS : Hiron Point (Nilkamal) for
tiger, deer, monkey, crocodiles, birds and natural beauty.
Katka for deer, tiger, crocodiles, varieties of birds and monkey,
morning and evening symphony of wild fowls. Vast expanse of grassy
meadows running from Katka to Kachikhali (Tiger Point) provide
opportunities for wild tracking. Tin Kona Island for tiger and deer.
Dublar Char (Island) for fishermen. It is a beautiful island where herds
of spotted deer are often seen to graze.
Means of Communication : Water transport is
the only means of communication for visiting the Sundarbans from Khulna
or Mongla Port. Private motor launch, speed boats, country boats as well
as mechanised vessel of Mongla Port Authority might be hired for the
purpose. From Dhaka visitors may travel by air, road or rocket steamer
to Khulna - the gateway to the Sundarbans. Most pleasant journey from
Dhaka to Khulna is by Paddle Steamer, Rocket presenting a picturesque
panorama of rural Bangladesh. Day and night-long coach services by road
are also available. The quickest mode is by air from Dhaka to Jessore
and then to Khulna by road.
Journey time : It varies depending on tides
against or in favour in the river. Usually it takes 6 to 10 hours
journey by motor vessel from Mongla to Hiron Point or Katka.
Accommodation Inside the forest
Hiron Point : Comfortable three-storied
Rest-House of the Mongla Port Authority. Prior booking is to be made.
Katka : Forest Department Rest-House
located here. Prior booking essential.
Journey by Rocket Steamer to Mongla and Khulna
Minimum Journey time is 22 Hours for Mongla and 24 Hours for Khulna from
Dhaka.
Entry Permission : Prior permission must be
obtained through written application from the Divisional Forest Office,
Circuit House Road, Khulna (Phone 20665, 211731) to visit the Sundarbans.
Required entrance fees for visitors, vessel or boat payable at the
relevant forest station/range office.
Fee for Commercial Photography :
Movie Tk. 5,000.00 per role exposed
Video Tk. 4,000.00 per Cassette
Still Tk. 1,000.00 per role exposed
Guided Tours : Bangladesh Parjatan
Corporation & other tour operators offers all-inclusive guided package
fours from Dhaka to Sundarbans and return during the tourist season
(October to March).
Climate : Climate in the Sundarbans is
moderate. Air is humid. Full monsoon is from June to September. The
annual rainfall average between 65" and 70". During ebb-tide the forest
becomes bare by 6-7 feet and at high tide (30 miles and hour) the entire
territory of the forest floats on water.
Life in Forest : Only means of
transportation inside the forest is boat. There is no road, no trail of
a path anywhere. The wood-cutters make temporary dwellings at the edge
of the forest at a height of 8-10 feet for fear of wild animals others
live on boats. In the chandpai region it is fascinating to see the
nomadic fishermen (living with families on boats) catching fish with the
help of trained offers. Exciting activities take place in Dublar Char in
the forest where fishermen from Chittagong gather for four months (mid
Oct. to mid Feb.) to catch and dry fish. But the most daring and
exciting of all activities is presented by the honey-collectors who work
in groups for just two months (April-May) and it is interesting to see
how they locate a hive and then collect honey.
Flora and Fauna : The Sundarbans is endowed
by nature with rich flora and fauna. It is a wonderful place to see or
to shoot a Royal Bengal Tiger with Camera if one has the time to wait in
the forest. There are a good number of tigers in the Sundarbans. Lovely
spotted deer are easy to find. Besides there are a wide variety of
wildlife for which the Sundarbans is so famous
Visit to the Forest
Permission from the Division Forest Officer, Khulna is required to visit
to the forest. Cholera vaccine is to be taken well in advance.
Anti-malarial, anti-diarrhoeal, insectrepellent cream, drinking water,
green coconuts, medical kit, light tropical dress, thick rubber soled
boots etc. are to be carried with the tourist. It will be wise to take
the help of an experienced guide to make the journey fruitful.
Tourist season & Shooting : Best time to
visit the Sundarbans is from November to March. Exciting honey
collection season is during April-May. Hunting is prohibited by law in
the country for the preservation of wildlife. Certain species of birds,
however, can be shot with prior permission of the Divisional Forest
Officer, Khulna, (Phone : 20665 & 21173).
Visit to the Forest : Permission from the
Division Forest Officer, Khulna is required to visit to the forest.
Cholera vaccine is to be taken well in advance. Anti-malarial, anti-diarrhoeal,
insectrepellent cream, drinking water, green coconuts, medical kit,
light tropical dress, thick rubber soled boots etc. are to be carried
with the tourist. It will be wise to take the help of an experienced
guide to make the journey fruitful.
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