SILENCE PLEASE…
It’s a sleepy enchantress. Be it the Medusa’s hair like mangroves or the labyrinth of water channels or the lull in the air… it’s simply an enchantress. It’s a beauty which will stick an awe and send a chill down your spine. You will be navigating a maze of interconnected waterways through a section of the worlds mangrove forest in the world. It’s bleak and haunting, shrouded by mysteries and folklores of terrifying man-eaters. Hold your breath and calm, and you may spot full grown Royal Bengal Tigers just like you see the familiar crow on your neighbor’s roof. For the brave hearts, explore the trails of honey-collectors or listen to the engrossing stories of bravery and thrill. This is as wild and ruthless as nature can be, and as enchanting as you may imagine.
As you arrive at Sonahali in the Canning subdivision of South 24 Parganas, you start to feel the scent of the forest, as it is a popular starting point for a trip to the Sundarbans. Next, you can visit Godkhali, just in the vicinity. It boasts of the most productive and dynamic ecosystems of the world. You can start your cruise on a boat to sail through the dense mangroves on either side, with occasional sightings of the local fauna. Hamilton Bungalow in Gosaba is next on the schedule. Built by Sir Daniel Mackinnon Hamilton, there is a twin Bungalow in the vicinity, which was also built by Hamilton for Rabindranath Tagore, during his visit to Gosaba in 1932. Overnight stay at Bali Island.
In the morning, we will visit the Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary. This place is a treat for ornithologists, as exotic birds like Spotted Billed pelican, Night Heron, Caspian Tern are spotted here along with rare sightings of winter migrants like Asian Dowitcher. The watchtower provides a panoramic view of the Sundarbans with occasional sightings of tigers, deer and wild boars. The Sudhanyakhali Watch Tower houses an advantageous sweet water pond, behind which, are stretches of land bereft of any vegetation, where one can sight animal from a distance with much more ease. Next visit the Dobanki Watchtower, a unique experience of half a kilometre long canopy walk watching Brahminy Kites and Chital, apart from Tigers. The jungle trail of the 2nd day ends at the Netidhopani Watchtower. The place is associated with a local legend of Behula and Lakhindar. The Watchtower, apart from the local animals, offers a view of the ruins of a 400-year-old Shiva temple. Overnight stay at Bali Island.
The last day is reserved for some island hunting. After visiting the Pakhiralaya/ Dayapur and the Bidhabapally island, you can arrive at Jharkhali. The mangrove forest of Sundarban starts from where Jharkhali ends. The island lies almost at the edge of the brackish water. You will be intrigued to know that even 20 years back, a strong wind blowing in from the mangrove forests was common in Jharkhali, probably lending the island its name. You can hire a boat and sail through the creeks. A sudden scampering off of a tiger is a common thing on the edge of the creeks if it is your lucky day. As you return back to Bali Island, you will be nearing the end of your trip to the most beautiful and endangered ecosystem of the world.
After breakfast check-out from the eco-resort. It’s time to sail upstream back to your own safe den. Come back soon!
At zerodegreel
every moment will someday make you look back and want to experience it all over again.
