We left the City of Joy on the 31st of January at 7 in the morning, and we went to Basanti by Sumo jeep to catch our launch. The launch reached Sudhanyakhali by noon. From the watchtower we saw many deer and two wild boar.s There were many monkeys and red crabs too. We saw a water monitor there. The guide helped us to see some footprints of many wild animals.
We reached Sajnekhali in the evening. The tourist lodge was surrounded by fence. We saw some deer in the surrounding forest, a crocodile lying by the crocodile pond. And what else, I asked myself, lurked in those trees?
The following day we went to see the core areas of Sunderbans. We went to two towers but saw nothing but trees. We saw just a single white-breasted kite which is often said to be a sign of luck. After lunch, all of us were lying and just relaxing on the deck when suddenly our driver perked up and pointed, "There's a tiger there, There's a tiger!" Although we we warned to keep spotted if we spotted something, all of us shouted along with him, "TTTTIIIIGER! TTTIGGGGER!" but the majestic Royal Bengali Tiger did not seem afraid. It was a very small canal, off the river called Deul Bharani, and the tiger was just 20-25 feet away from us. We were close and could see a lot, as that area is particularly clear. The huge tiger was walking slowly towards the forest and looking straight at us. 8-feet long, this one was a female and the male was taking rest in the shadow of the trees. It was unforgettable. The driver himself said he had only seen tigers at such a close range just three times before in his whole 37-year career of driving. I still just cannot imagine exactly what I saw. Indeed, that kite was a lucky sign!
After some time, we saw some wild boars and hens. It was just like the Animal Planet channel on television but we were living it ourselves! We saw a large crocodile taking rest in the beach (at least 10 feet long). We saw some more crocodiles and deer too.
We went back to the lodge in the evening. On the way back, we saw many monkey and deer. Some of them were walking on the beach. The sunset looked very beautiful as it slipped into the river. The next day, Sunday the 2nd, was our last day. At the lodge we saw two big spotted deer with horns (very pretty) and one large group of monkeys passing by. A single monkey entered our room to steal our toothbrushes! It crushed the box and threw away the brushes.
Some time later we started on our way to Basanti. After such a lucky adventure it didn't feel so fun to be heading back home. But it was a tour which was unforgettable and would be talked about again and again by everyone of us.
SAVE
Save the tiger, Save the deer;
And save all the trees
Simply for their gentle breeze
Save the turtles
Let them cross their hurdles
Help them to breed-
For they'll come to your need!
Stop the poacher,
Live with Nature
Help animals to feed
For its habitat they all need!
For international readers: Sunderbans ("shoon-dar-bahnz") is the unique delta region that lies along the Bay of Bengal between the countries of India and Bangladesh. It is a flooded forest, part ocean, part river, part trees. In the rivers live pink dolphins. On the beaches giant turtles dig nests in which to lay their eggs. In the forests live delicate spotted deer called chital, wild boar, and more tigers than anywhere else in the world!
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Front cover
Mustard Seeds Report
A visit to Sunderbans by Saptak Mohanta
Mustard Seeds Haiku Contest
The disappearance of my glasses by Chotku Parekh
Mini Chatterjee's Culture Corner: Dowry system in Indian weddings
Tanabata by Megumi Takemura
Write Me by Shohini Sen
Cooking and Science - Try It!
A Rainy Watery Excursion by Maura Aunty & Malini Basu
Association for peace exchange with Indian and Pakistani youth
More Haiku
Book Review by Arnab Chakraborty
Mango Bite: Interview with Puja Paul by Aparupa Biswas and Mini Chaterjee
Back cover
MUSTARD SEEDS MAIL ART CONTEST
