Page 7 - Sealink September 2020
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Sunderbans is the largest delta in hospital, a school, a college, a
the world covering an approximate municipality and other minor
area of about 40000 sq.km. The government offices.
major part of the Sunderbans is I remember our first exci ng
under the Indian territory and the adventure in the Sunderbans. in
m i n o r p a r t i n B a n g l a d e s h October 1972. A er arrival at
jurisdic on. The name Sunderbans is Gosaba we looked for a lodge.
derived from the word “Sundari” Finally we found one. The lodge had
which is a type of tree that grows in ten straw mats as bed and a fire urn
Sunderbans. This forest is a marshy near each bed that kept the co age
jungle and the roots of the “Sundari” warm. The charge was 10 paise for a
tree can be seen above the surface of day. In due course, we made friends
the soil.
with the local people and these
I love this forest from my heart for its innocent people were very excited to
beauty and mys c vibra on. During see us, as we were from the “City of
my college days I had a friend who Gods.” These people term Kolkata as
was also interested in jungle the “City of Gods” and it is was
adventure. During holidays (mostly dream for them to visit the city. One
during the Durga puja holidays), to senior local gentleman greeted us
avoid the tantrum crowd in the city, with respect and they thought that
both of us set ourselves for an we were representa ves of West
expedi on to Sunderbans. In the Bengal government. We listened to
year 1972 we boarded the electric their demands and grievances and
train to Canning from South Sealdah noted down the details. We made
sta on which took about 1 hour 15 friends with the fishermen who
minutes for the journey. From went deep in the jungle for a
Canning there were six motor contract for about three to four
launches des ned for six to seven months to collect honey and
areas of Sunderbans. We embarked “sundari wood” and deposit them in
the launch des ned for Gosaba. This the West Bengal government office
trip took about six hours. Gosaba is at Sojnekhali and get cash money.
the main town and capital of These fishermen took provisions of
Sunderbans. This town has a rice, pulses and other items for their
