How you doing? :) Me? Trying to be good! :)
Well, many of you know that I was out of town last weekend (I mean 18Feb to 20Feb, 2011). And many of you know where I was. For those who don't... it was the magnificent Sundarbans. Mamondi, Asit da, Rajat da and Bipasha di luckily didn't mind to carry me with them. Well, I wont bore you with something that can start like "as you all know that the Sundarbans is the home of the Royal Bengals ... blah blah blah". You can get ample amount of information about this one of a kind mangrove forest here.
As of now, please let me show you the sights we enjoyed (and Mr.P captured). Even though there are more than 45 photographs in total and keeping in mind the patience I myself will need to go through them, I have clubbed the pictures as per a somewhat logical group (could not afford to miss out a single one!). So I think, there need not be any official warning to be issued as far as the length of this post is concerned.
Okay, here I go. Below is the collage of the changing scenes throughout our journey. We were in a four wheeler which went through the changing urban picture and dropped us at the ferry ghat of Gothkhali.
Please go clockwise, you will find an order. This was our two and half hours of CLOCKWISE JOURNEY.
On that very day, we went for some sightseeing around the Gosaba-Rangabelia island. This was the island where we were lodging too.
Among the major rural industries, one is of hand made garments and one of the important such producer is the Rangabelia Mahila Samiti, a small scale industry run entirely by women. Even after the cyclone Aaila devastated the delta, people here TODAY are continuing to look forward.
If you happen to have a look at the southern most portion of the Indian state of West Bengal and the southern parts of Bangladesh, you will see enormous tributaries and distributaries of many river running to merge into the Bay of Bengal.
People here have taken the rivers as a part of their society. A lot comes from it and a lot goes into it. But no matter how fair or unfair is this natural transaction, people here are completely DELTA DEPENDENTS.
People like us, who were tourists, were looking at the place from the perspective of a reader of a book with glossy paper and lots of pictures. But like every other place on this earth, there are ruthless truths of lives besides the singular beauty.
Although tourism is something promoted by the state government itself and gives a good deal of employment to the locals, but besides that people there are engaged in occupation like fishing, agriculture, woodcutting, honey collection etc. EVERYDAY in everybody's life is for its continuation.
Now, our main sightseeing began the day next. We had to take the permit from the Forest Department at Sojnekhali Post to enter the jungles. We had Mr. Manas Mondal as our guide. Setting foot in any of the open jungle is strictly prohibited by the Forest Department, so whatever was seen, was from the boat itself.
After a certain distance, there was completely open and untamed forest on both side of the river (the river kept changing its names from Matla to Bidyadhari, Basanti, Piyali and what not from place to place). But its the forest which gives this place its name - SUNDARI. The unique respiratory system of the vegetation, the ecological society is completely a wonder there. (By the way, that single plant is a Sundari plant).
From the boat and from the watch tower and canopy walk at Dobaki, we could be legally closest to the open forests. Although, the picture below took more than a just a few shots by Mr.P, but I am presenting it to you all in the most summarized way possible.
I am extremely sorry if this group of picture is somewhat not very clear. From top right, its a Spotted Deer (behind the bushes), to its left is a Monitor Lizard (yes, that deep grey four footed thing). Below the lizard its a Rhesus Monkey (and its baby) and in the bottom right, we have a Saltwater Crocodile (a portion of its head and back can be seen outside the water). All these photographs of these CITIZENS have been taken in the open wild, in their natural habitats. Trust me, its a different feeling to be in this raw kingdom.
Other than these land and aquatic dwellers, we were lucky enough to get a few glimpse of their aerial counterparts. Most of them, again, were spotted at the banks of the river, walking, feeding or flying.
Well, I am again sorry if this picture is not clear and here I cant even help you out to recognise, which one is which one. They all are some kind of egrets. (Trust me, all are different!). May not be as appealing as the Mammalia or the Reptilia counterparts but they sure are a bunch of FEATHERS IN THE CAP of the Sundarbans.
It was Bipasha di who took drew our attention towards a rather small but astonishing world at the mud on the banks. After we got a glimpse of it, no doubt was left that there is no way these mangroves are going to stop surprising us.
Hopefully this picture is clearer than a previous few. Clockwise from top, first is one of a kind yellow crab (beautiful, na?), a one clawed red one, a hermit crab (in that borrowed shell) with probably a purple friend beside it and finally, in the bottom left, with some of the most marvelous survival adaptations, the mudskipper fish (if possible, please read about it). Undoubtedly, the MUDWORLD is itself a wonder.
And what is Sundarbans without the Royal Bengals. But, sadly enough, we five could not spot any. Our guide said that even though we might have seen tigers in zoos, but watching one walking in the forest (from safe distance) in its own royal demeanor is a sight to remember.
But we were lucky enough to be able to see a fresh pugmark of a Royal Bengal Tiger. To its right is a Bonobibi temple. Local fishermen, honey collectors, wood cutters and everybody who enters this dangerous forest for a living, first offer a prayer to Bonbibi, the deity who is believed to protect one and all in these islands, and then enter the forest. You can read about Bonbibi here. To prevent the tigers from coming out and swim to the human localities, such nylon nets are used (Yes, they do work. Tigers are known to fear these nets for their own safety). These forests are undoubtedly beautiful but also are mysterious and a TERROR'S TERRITORY.
The (permitted) sightseeings were from sunrise to sunset. But what was bonus to the amazing diversity of the these mangrove forests was the sky when we were tired after the day.
I know, I have said this a lot in the past, but the scene of a setting sun never grows old. And please trust me when I say that none of these photographs have been enhanced (none!), all are here as they were seen. Along with the forest, its inhabitants, the people, these CELESTIAL GOLDS at the end were worth a wait.
In total, we were there for three days and two nights. Our hotel had the minimums in plenty. The hospitality was unbelievably good and so was the food. Electricity was only for five hours 6pm to 11pm (out of that diesel generator). Left no area to really complain, we all had a fantastic and relaxing yet exciting holiday at the Sundarbans. Take it from me, its worth a visit!
That was more or less of what Mr.P and I had seen there. Please let us know if you enjoyed this little tour. We will be waiting! :)
Till then... Cheers! :)
As of now, please let me show you the sights we enjoyed (and Mr.P captured). Even though there are more than 45 photographs in total and keeping in mind the patience I myself will need to go through them, I have clubbed the pictures as per a somewhat logical group (could not afford to miss out a single one!). So I think, there need not be any official warning to be issued as far as the length of this post is concerned.
Okay, here I go. Below is the collage of the changing scenes throughout our journey. We were in a four wheeler which went through the changing urban picture and dropped us at the ferry ghat of Gothkhali.
Please go clockwise, you will find an order. This was our two and half hours of CLOCKWISE JOURNEY.On that very day, we went for some sightseeing around the Gosaba-Rangabelia island. This was the island where we were lodging too.
Among the major rural industries, one is of hand made garments and one of the important such producer is the Rangabelia Mahila Samiti, a small scale industry run entirely by women. Even after the cyclone Aaila devastated the delta, people here TODAY are continuing to look forward.If you happen to have a look at the southern most portion of the Indian state of West Bengal and the southern parts of Bangladesh, you will see enormous tributaries and distributaries of many river running to merge into the Bay of Bengal.
People here have taken the rivers as a part of their society. A lot comes from it and a lot goes into it. But no matter how fair or unfair is this natural transaction, people here are completely DELTA DEPENDENTS.People like us, who were tourists, were looking at the place from the perspective of a reader of a book with glossy paper and lots of pictures. But like every other place on this earth, there are ruthless truths of lives besides the singular beauty.
Although tourism is something promoted by the state government itself and gives a good deal of employment to the locals, but besides that people there are engaged in occupation like fishing, agriculture, woodcutting, honey collection etc. EVERYDAY in everybody's life is for its continuation.Now, our main sightseeing began the day next. We had to take the permit from the Forest Department at Sojnekhali Post to enter the jungles. We had Mr. Manas Mondal as our guide. Setting foot in any of the open jungle is strictly prohibited by the Forest Department, so whatever was seen, was from the boat itself.
After a certain distance, there was completely open and untamed forest on both side of the river (the river kept changing its names from Matla to Bidyadhari, Basanti, Piyali and what not from place to place). But its the forest which gives this place its name - SUNDARI. The unique respiratory system of the vegetation, the ecological society is completely a wonder there. (By the way, that single plant is a Sundari plant).From the boat and from the watch tower and canopy walk at Dobaki, we could be legally closest to the open forests. Although, the picture below took more than a just a few shots by Mr.P, but I am presenting it to you all in the most summarized way possible.
I am extremely sorry if this group of picture is somewhat not very clear. From top right, its a Spotted Deer (behind the bushes), to its left is a Monitor Lizard (yes, that deep grey four footed thing). Below the lizard its a Rhesus Monkey (and its baby) and in the bottom right, we have a Saltwater Crocodile (a portion of its head and back can be seen outside the water). All these photographs of these CITIZENS have been taken in the open wild, in their natural habitats. Trust me, its a different feeling to be in this raw kingdom.Other than these land and aquatic dwellers, we were lucky enough to get a few glimpse of their aerial counterparts. Most of them, again, were spotted at the banks of the river, walking, feeding or flying.
Well, I am again sorry if this picture is not clear and here I cant even help you out to recognise, which one is which one. They all are some kind of egrets. (Trust me, all are different!). May not be as appealing as the Mammalia or the Reptilia counterparts but they sure are a bunch of FEATHERS IN THE CAP of the Sundarbans.It was Bipasha di who took drew our attention towards a rather small but astonishing world at the mud on the banks. After we got a glimpse of it, no doubt was left that there is no way these mangroves are going to stop surprising us.
Hopefully this picture is clearer than a previous few. Clockwise from top, first is one of a kind yellow crab (beautiful, na?), a one clawed red one, a hermit crab (in that borrowed shell) with probably a purple friend beside it and finally, in the bottom left, with some of the most marvelous survival adaptations, the mudskipper fish (if possible, please read about it). Undoubtedly, the MUDWORLD is itself a wonder.And what is Sundarbans without the Royal Bengals. But, sadly enough, we five could not spot any. Our guide said that even though we might have seen tigers in zoos, but watching one walking in the forest (from safe distance) in its own royal demeanor is a sight to remember.
But we were lucky enough to be able to see a fresh pugmark of a Royal Bengal Tiger. To its right is a Bonobibi temple. Local fishermen, honey collectors, wood cutters and everybody who enters this dangerous forest for a living, first offer a prayer to Bonbibi, the deity who is believed to protect one and all in these islands, and then enter the forest. You can read about Bonbibi here. To prevent the tigers from coming out and swim to the human localities, such nylon nets are used (Yes, they do work. Tigers are known to fear these nets for their own safety). These forests are undoubtedly beautiful but also are mysterious and a TERROR'S TERRITORY.The (permitted) sightseeings were from sunrise to sunset. But what was bonus to the amazing diversity of the these mangrove forests was the sky when we were tired after the day.
I know, I have said this a lot in the past, but the scene of a setting sun never grows old. And please trust me when I say that none of these photographs have been enhanced (none!), all are here as they were seen. Along with the forest, its inhabitants, the people, these CELESTIAL GOLDS at the end were worth a wait.In total, we were there for three days and two nights. Our hotel had the minimums in plenty. The hospitality was unbelievably good and so was the food. Electricity was only for five hours 6pm to 11pm (out of that diesel generator). Left no area to really complain, we all had a fantastic and relaxing yet exciting holiday at the Sundarbans. Take it from me, its worth a visit!
That was more or less of what Mr.P and I had seen there. Please let us know if you enjoyed this little tour. We will be waiting! :)
Till then... Cheers! :)
This is a shot taken from just outside the "container" in which this thing was 