Wandering in the Vibrant City... Kolkata... Day 3 Part 3

                                                        Day 3 Part 3

As we sailed down the rivers Hogil, Gomar, Durgaduni and Gumdi we could see the criss-crossed   countless creeks and tributaries, intersected by a network of tidal waterways weaving around the small islands of saline-tolerant mangrove forests and mudflats. These interconnected network of waterways are the source of access by boats or rafts to almost every nook and cranny of this lush woodland. It is one of the attraction that allures people to this… an undiscovered paradise.

At the Sajnekhali, are the the Museum, The River Terrapin (Batagur Baska) Tortoise Hatching pond and the Mangrove Interpretation Centre. 

Here we were introduced in detail to the flora, fauna and the village life of Sundarbans. It says there are 64 plant species that make up the Mangrove Forests. 

The most common ones are Hatal, Genwa, Dhundul, Kankra, Champa, Dhani ghas, Garjan, Keora, Sundari, Golpati. Some are  grasses, some are shrubs and some others are trees...

 


Going through these pictorial explanation I realized that the tree that had held my attention at the Botanical Garden was Sundari... The same tree adapts to situations... When in the estuary in the swamp its more of the root area... Root is spread twice to three times of its canopy area. When in marshy mud flats its canopy is two thirds of its roots. In the land its canopy is twice that of visible root area... 













They have beautiful life-like figurines  depicting the life and livelihood of the locals ... 

                                                               ~~~ oOo ~~~

Thereafter, it was the thrill of cruising deep through the narrow creeks around the islands of the Sunderban Tiger Project Area. Here the islands are fenced off but still the tigers do manage to come out at times… As we cruise along, deep inside the creeks of Sarakkhali,  we get to view the forest and its flora and fauna from close quarters. 

                                           ~~~ oOo ~~~