Flora and Fauna
In 1984 South 24 Parganas district became home to Sundarbans National Park, which has an area of 1,330 km2 (513.5 sq mi). It shares the park with North 24 Parganas district. It is also home to four wildlife sanctuaries: Haliday Island, Lothian Island, Narendrapur, and Sajnekhali.
Sundarbans, formerly Sunderbunds, is a vast tract of forest and saltwater swamp forming the lower part of the Ganges Delta, extending about 160 miles (260 km) along the Bay of Bengal from the Hooghly River Estuary (India) to the Meghna River Estuary in Bangladesh. The whole tract reaches inland for 60–80 miles (100–130 km).
A network of estuaries, tidal rivers, and creeks intersected by numerous channels, it encloses flat, marshy islands covered with dense forests. The name Sundarbans is perhaps derived from the term meaning "forest of sundari," a reference to the large mangrove tree that provides valuable fuel. Along the coast the forest passes into a mangrove swamp; the southern region, with numerous wild animals and crocodile-infested estuaries, is virtually uninhabited. It is one of the last preserves of the Bengal tiger and the site of a tiger preservation project. The cultivated northern area yields rice, sugarcane, timber, and betel nuts.
The region is also famous for some commonly domesticated livestock breeds which includes the Garole breed of sheep and Chinae hans or Muscuovy ducks, the Garole sheep is considered as the progenator of the Booroola merino sheep and is noted for its prolific character. However, the wool of the sheep which can be a valuable natural asset does not find any use among the natives. Bakkhali beach resort located on one of the islands jutting out into the Bay of Bengal is gaining in popularity, with improvements in transport links with Kolkata.The woodlands and swamps of Sundarbans provide habitat to a number of species. Sundarbans is the homeland for Bengal Tiger, one of the most sought creatures around. The locality has a site for the preservation of tigers which is quite frequently visited by tourists and environmentalists. The estuaries in the region are infested with crocodiles. The area has been declared as world heritage site by the UNESCO. Boat tours are provided at many places in the region.
Read more about this topic: South 24 Parganas District
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