Sundarbans National Park

Sundarbans National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Gosaba block of South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, forming part of the world's largest mangrove forest in the Ganges Delta. Notable for its dense mangrove ecosystem, tidal waterways and as a Tiger Reserve protecting the Royal Bengal Tiger, it also hosts saltwater crocodiles, diverse birdlife and the Sajnekhali Tiger Reserve interpretation centre, accessible only by boat.

Visitors can expect a boat-based exploration through dense mangrove forests, tidal creeks and mudflats within a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Tiger Reserve. The landscape is dominated by mangrove islands, watch towers such as Sajnekhali, Sudhanyakhali and Dobanki, and a canopy walk. Sightings may include Royal Bengal Tiger pugmarks, saltwater crocodiles, spotted deer, wild boar and diverse birdlife. Access is only by licensed boat with guide, with interpretation centre and forest rest houses at Sajnekhali.

The Sundarbans was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1973, a National Park in 1984, and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. It was designated a Biosphere Reserve in 1989. The area has long been protected for its unique mangrove ecosystem and tiger conservation under Project Tiger.

The Sundarbans is closely associated with traditional livelihoods such as fishing, honey collection and woodcutting, and local reverence for Bonbibi, the forest deity. The Sajnekhali area hosts cultural interpretation displays on mangrove ecology and local communities.