Sunderban Dos and Don'ts

:: Dos & Don'ts ::

Do's & Don'ts

You can make your visit more enjoyable and help in the conservation of Sundarbans National Park by observing the following:-

Do's

Avoid drinking tap water and prefer filtered water or coconut water.
Do not carry mineral water unless it is part of your medication as Sundarbans is a "No Plastic zone"
Carry some light snacks and fruits with you to munch
Carry sunglasses, hats and sun tan lotion
Preferably carry cash as possibility of accessing ATM is remote. Only SBI ATM is available at Gosaba
Carry common medicines for cough, cold, stomach upset etc
Most importantly, carry torch with spare batteries
Carry spare batteries for your cameras as you might not get a chance to recharge your batteries.

Don'ts

Do not carry any polythene bag as Sunderbans National Park is a "No Plastic Zone".
Don’t pollute the pristine habitat by throwing anything out from the boat/Launch
Don’t play any sound system including loud speakers or shouting as it disturbs wild life and co-visitors thumb rule is that no one should go out of water craft
Do not enter in the Sunderbans National park/Tiger reserve without valid permit which can be obtained from Sunderban Tiger reserve’s offices at Canning, Sonakhali, Sajnekhali
Staying within the Sunderbans National Park/Tiger reserve area is permitted only from Sunrise to Sunset
Hunting, fishing, damage to flora & habitat entry in core area and movement in non permitted forest locations is viewed as serious offence.

Regulations by the forest department

Appreciate the colours and sounds of nature.
Treat the Protected Area/wilderness area with respect.
Dress in colours that blend with the natural environment.
Observe the sanctity of holy sites, respect local customs.
Keep a reasonable distance from wild animals, and do not provoke them.
Do not light fires, or smoke inside protected areas. Accidental forest fires cause irreparable damage. Camp fire, camping etc are not allowed.
No entry after sunset and before sunrise is permitted in the Protected Area. Night driving is strictly prohibited in the Protected Area.
Entry in the sanctum sanctorum (Core area) of the Protected Area and movement outside tourist zone is prohibited.
Playing of transistors, tape-recorders, stereos and bringing in pets are not permitted in the Protected Area. Shouting, loud singing, making noise, teasing or chasing of animals are prohibited.
Carrying of guns, fire arms, weapons, bows, arrows and crackers, inflammable materials are strictly prohibited, as per the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and is punishable by law.
Cooking in rooms is strictly prohibited.
Carrying packed food and eating it within the Protected Area is strictly prohibited. Carelessly throwing and leaving trash litter, peels of fruits etc is strictly prohibited.
Damage of plant or animal life is strictly prohibited.
Feeding wild animals and captive elephants by tourists are not permitted.
Hunting and fishing are strictly prohibited.
Fast driving (speed more than 20 km. per hour) and blowing of horn inside the Protected Area is strictly prohibited.
Tourists are not allowed to move out of the lodge complex on foot.
use of flash light or photography of wild animals is not allowed.
Smoking on elephant back is strictly prohibited.
Bathing in the river water is not allowed.
Disorderly conduct, misbehavior and drunken state are not permitted in the Forest Lodge and for any offence in this respect the tourist shall be liable to vacate the lodge.
Heater and other electrical gadgets shall not be used by visitors.
Seeking entry to the tourist lodge without reservation is prohibited.

:: Sunderbans -- Fact File ::

The area was declared as Protected Forest in the year 1878

It was declared as Reserve Forest in the year 1928
One of the first nine Tiger Reserves declared under the Project Tiger Scheme in the year 1973
A part of the Tiger Reserve was notified as the Sajnakhali Wildlife Sanctuary having an area of 362.33 sq km in the year 1976
The core area of the Tiger Reserve was declared as the Sunderban National Park in the year 1984. The area of the National Park is 1330.10 sq km
The National Park Areas was inscribed as a Natural World heritage Site in the year 1987
The Tiger Reserve along with adjoining forest areas and human habitations were declared as Sunderban Boisphere Reserve in 1989
The Sunderban Biosphere Reserve was recogonised as a Global Biosphere Reserve in 2001
1699.62 sq km of the Tiger Reserve was declared as Critical Tiger Habitat in the year 2007

:: Climate ::

October to February — winter, cold and temperate
March to May — summer, hot and humid
June to September — the monsoon season, wet and windy

Monsoon cruises are spectacular.

:: Flora & Fauna ::

Major Flora

There are 64 plant species in Sundarbans and they have the capacity to withstand estuarine conditions and saline inundation on account of tidal effects. The most common species are :
Hatal (Phoenix paludosa), Genwa (Excoecaria agallocha), Dhundul (Xylocarpus granatum), Kankra (Bruguirea gymnorrhiza), Champa(Bruguiera parviflora), Dhani ghas (Porteresia coarctata), Garjan (Rhizophora apiculata), Keora (Sonneratia apelata), Sundari tree (Heritiera fomes), Golpati(Nypa frutcans)

Main Species

Excaecaria sp., Heritiera sp., Ceriops sp., Phoenix sp., Sonneratia sp., Avicennia sp., Rhizophora sp., Xylocarpus sp., Bruguiera sp. etc.

Major Fauna

Tiger, fishing cat, chital, wildboar, water monitor, estuarine crocodile.

Endangered Species

Tiger, Estuarian Crocodile, River Terrapin (Batagur baska), Olive Ridlay Turtle, Gangetic Dolphin, Ground Turtle, Hawks Bill Turtle, King Crabs (Horse shoe).

:: Major Attractions ::

Royal Bengal Tiger: Most of the tigers found in the Sundarbans area are man-eaters and can swim in the saline waters. The Sundarban Tiger Reserve is home to more than 250 tigers.

Mangroves: Sundarbans offers the largest Mangrove eco- system in the world. Mangroves grow in saline coastal habitats in the tropics and subtropical areas.