Khulna division is in the southwest part of
Bangladesh has an area of 22274 sq. km and a population of 14.47 million. There
are 10 districts and 28 municipalities under Khulna. It has the world's biggest
mangrove forest, the Sundarbans. In Khulna town you can visit Khulna Museum and
Zoo.
Main tourist spots in Khulna division:
:: Sundarbans
Sundarban is the world biggest mangrove forest. In
Bangladesh tourism, Sunderban plays the most vital role. A large number of
foreigners come to Bangladesh every year only to visit this unique mangrove
forest. Besides, local tourists also go to visit Sundarban every year. The area
of great Sundarban is approximately 6000 sq. km.
General Information about Sudarbans:
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.
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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 revering beauty.
The Sundarbans are the largest littoral mangrove
belt in the world, stretching 80km (50mi) into the Bangladeshi hinterland from
the coast. The forests aren't just mangrove swamps though; they include some of
the last remaining stands of the mighty jungles, which once covered the
Gangetic plain.
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The Sundarbans cover an area of 38,500 sq km, of
which about one-third is covered in water.Since 1966 the Sunderbans have been a
wildlife sanctuary, and it is estimated that there are now 400 Royal Bengal
tigers and about 30,000 spotted deer in the area. Sundarbans is home to many
different species of birds, mammals, insects, reptiles and fishes. Over 120
species of fish and over 260 species of birds
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have been recorded in the Sundarbans. The Gangetic
River Dolphin (Platanista gangeticus) is common in the rivers. No less than 50
species of reptiles and eight species of amphibians are known to occur. The
Sundarbans now support the only population of the Estuarine, or Salt-Water
Crocodile (Crocodiles paresis) in Bangladesh, and that population is estimated
at less than two hundred individuals 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 riverbanks. 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.Sundarban'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 habitat 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, Wild Orchid
Garden at Kotka, Sundarban]herons and coots, yellow-lags and sandpipers. It is
also the land for the 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.Means of Communication: Water transport is
the only means of communication for visiting the Sundarbans from Khulna or
Mongla Port. Private motor launch, speedboats, country boats as well as
mechanized 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. You can start journey from Dhaka to Khulna by road
or by river. 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
favor in the river. Usually it takes 6 to 10 hours journey by motor vessel from
Mongla to Hiron Point or Katka.FAMOUS SPOTS: The main tourist spots in
Sundarban are Karamjol, Katka, Kochikhali, Hiron point and Mandarbaria. 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) provides 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.
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:: KatkaKatka is one of Heritage sites in
Sunderban. In Katka there is a wooden watching tower of 40 ft. high from where
you can enjoy the scenic beauty of Sundarban. A beautiful sea beach is there is
Katka; you will enjoy while you are walking to go the beach from the watching
tower. Verities birds are visible in Katka.:: Hiran pointThis is another
tourist spot in Sunderban. It is called the world heritage state. You can enjoy
the beauty of wild nature and dotted dears walking and running in Hiron
point.There are also two other Heritage side in Sunderban; one is Kochikhali
and the other is Mandarbaria where you will find dears and birds. If you are
lucky you can see the Great Royal Bengal Tiger, but for sure you can at least
see the stepping of Great Royal Bengal Tiger here and there in these spots.::
KaramjolKaramjol is a forest station for the Rangers. Here you can see a dear
breeding center. To visit Sunderban you need to go there with a guide and it is
even better if you go there with a group. You can stay two/three days in
Sunderban depending on your desire and requirements. One-day tour is not enough
for Sundarban as you will not be able to see the nature in haste. For one-day
tour you can go up to Karamjol and at a glance visit the outer portion of
Sunderban forest areas.In your Sunderban tour you will be able to see a lots of
verities birds (a heaven for the bird watchers), can watch the fishing in the
river by the fishermen, if you wish you can ask your tour operator to give a
stopover in the fishermen villages to watch their lifestyle, see lots of
animals like monkeys, various types Dears, foxes,
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Crocodiles, Snakes and if you are lucky person
you will be able to see the greatest mystery of Sunderban –The Royal Bengal
Tiger. Sunderban is one of main sources to collect pure honey. You should not
forget to buy some pure honey. Another inexpressible and unforgettable beauty
you can enjoy if you can match your timing of tour in full moon. In the full
moon the nights in Sunderban could be one of the most memorable nights for your
whole life.Other necessary Information about Sundarban Tour: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 exposedVideo Tk. 4,000.00 per
CassetteStill Tk. 1,000.00 per role exposedGuided Tours: To feel the
beauty of Sunderban you will have to go inside Sunderban & visit at
least the most common tourist spots of Sunderban, specially the four-heritage
side of Katka, Hiron point, Mandarbaria & Kachikhali. It will require
minimum two nights stay in Sunderban to visit these spots and if you are in a
group you can ask your tour operator to make it three, four or five night tour
package as per your desire ness to invent the real beauty of Sunderban in your
Package tour program. In Sunderban visit, all the way you will have to go
by tourist launch and spend your night also in the launch as no hotel or motel
facilities are available there inside of Sunderban. In this tour your foods and
water will be supplied from the tourist launch only. So to visit the great
Sundarban you will have to decide in advance how many days you want to spent in
Sunderban – accordingly your tour operator will arrange and preserve year foods
and water. 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 woodcutters 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, insect repellent 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.