HOLI CELEBRATION AT MAYAPUR

TOUR REPORT OF MAYAPUR ON THE PRETIGIOUS OCCASSION OF DOL JATRA :

20^th March'08 :

We sail from Kolkata at 9.10 a.m. Smoothly we crossed Howrah Bridge, Bally Bridge as well as Kalyani Bridge keeping an average safe height of 10 ft. Guests along with the two reporters were enjoying the ship ambiance and surrounding beauty of the nature. We explained the guests the various historical points as it came along the river line and it seems they also enjoyed. There was no massage facility this time on board though it was asked by one the guests. After the breakfast we organised some of the homely games like musical chair, antakhsary etc. but children had no much option than to play carom. After lunch at around 3 p.m.,we anchored at Samudragarh for the night.
20th March'08 :
M.V.PARAMHAMSA sailed at around 4.45 a.m. and reached Mayapur at 7.15 a.m. ISKCON People were waiting at jetty and transferred us to the Temple by a coach and Warm Welcome was given by them and we spent whole day over there. Met the present head Maharaj and invited HIM on our Cruiser. Due to rush of pilgrimages (more than one lakh) they could not offer the coach for returning to the vessel. We went to Prabhupada ferry ghat and by a motor boat guests (15 minutes journey) were transfer to vessel. Had dinner on board.

22^nd March'08 :

At morning we arranged an IWAI launch and brought Guru Maharaj, JAI PATAKA in our vessel. He discussed with us about the requirement of the regular movement of fast ferry system (Catamaran type) from Kolkata to Mayapur. We started at around 8 a.m. and reached Bally at 3.30 p.m. and by Millennium vessel we reached Kolkata at 4.30 p.m.

Guest Comments

From Trip to Sunderbans on 28th of March'08

Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:06:24 -0400

From: wmf.nyc@verizon.net

To: banshakti@hotmail.com

Dear Lt. Col. Banerjee: Thank you for your good will and advice during my recent trip. It was a pleasure to meet you and I will look forward to seeing you again on my return. In the meanwhile, if you're curious about my adventures in India, please read The New Yorker: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/04/21/080421fa_fact_alexander

Onward, George Butler -

White Mountain Films,

165 East 80th Street,

New York,

NY 10075

t: 212-249-6508

f: 212-794-2993

wmf.nyc@verizon.net

Battle for survival

Article from The Hindu

By Freny Manecksha
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:29:27 +0530

From: thehindu@web1.hinduonnet.com

An account of the trip I did in November

Article has been sent by Freny Manecksha ( Frenym@gmail.com ) =============================================================

Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com/mag/2008/04/13/stories/2008041350200700.htm)

Magazine : CONSERVATION - A delicate balance

It is necessary to create environmental awareness and other livelihood alternatives for the villagers to keep the Sunderbans’ fragile eco-system going. FRENY MANECKSHA, Over the years the biosphere’s delicate balance has been upset because of shrinking habitats and poaching. This in turn escalated man-animal conflicts.

Battle for survival : An intricate barrier in Bali island to check erosion and keep tigers away.

One evening in February 2002, as Col. Shakti Ranjan Banerjee, conservationist and former Director (West Bengal) of WWF India, was appreciating the splendour of the Suznekhali sanctuary in the Sunderbans, he learnt that a tiger had been sighted on Bali island. Sunderban tigers are powerful swimmers. This one had swum across the wide river expanse that separates Bali, one of the 54 inhabited islands from the 48 uninhabited islands that form the core jungle area.

In earlier days it would have lost its life for straying into human territory. This time, even though some islanders had lost a family member in tiger attacks, they did not stone the animal. Instead, led by environmentally-conscious school teachers, they helped the forest officials to lay a trap so that it could be released back into the wild. It was a definitive moment for Col. Banerjee. “I felt something must be done to help these villagers earn a livelihood as well as be part of the movement that seeks to preserve the unique biodiversity of this delta that has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.” Ever-changing, In the fragile ecosystem of the Sunderbans, both humans and animals wage a knife-edge battle for survival. An ever-changing dance of creation and destruction is enacted daily in this arena of rivers and tributaries because of the occurrence of two high tides and two low tides. Receding tidal waters leave behind chest-deep alluvium and create large mudflats that support a rich variety of crabs, snails and mudskippers. Estuarine crocodiles and monitor lizards come out to bask in the sun on the mudflats. But the high tide washes away large chunks of land and submerges the mudflats, forcing crabs to take shelter in muddy holes or climb trees. Crocodiles go back into the water.> Due to the high salinity, the soil becomes non-porous and oxygen cannot enter the forest areas. But, in a wonderful adaptation to nature, trees here breathe through pneumataphores (roots that grow up through the mud creating a carpet of sharp spikes which absorb oxygen) stilt roots, and perforated barks. Some 84 species of mangroves and mangrove-associate plant families not only survive in this alluvial soil but also bloom spectacularly like that of the Sundari, Golpata, Kankra and Khalsi.
Tigers too have developed different traits. Agile swimmers, they are as much at home in water as on land. They drink the saline water and eat whatever they come across — fish, crab or man. Not habitual man-eaters, they nevertheless consider man to be part of the food chain and will attack if there is a confrontation, even accidental. For the people of the Sunderbans life is tough as there is limited land for agriculture. Other forms of livelihood like fishing, gathering honey or collecting wood may bring them into conflict with the tiger or crocodile, especially if they venture into the deep forests where creeks are very narrow and visibility is poor because of dense vegetation. This constant struggle with hostile elements has influenced the mythological traditions of the region. In a remarkable synergy of two religions, the goddess Bonbibi (mother of the forests) and her consort Dakshin Rai are worshipped by both Muslims and Hindus as protectors who can subdue the tiger. Manasa is worshipped to keep venomous snakes at bay and Manik Pir is invoked for the welfare of cows.> Over the years the biosphere’s delicate balance has been upset because of shrinking habitats and poaching. This in turn escalated man-animal conflicts. In 1978, the setting up of the Tiger Reserve banned Sunderban inhabitants from venturing into the core area for fishing or collecting honey. Some villagers began adopting a hostile attitude towards forest officials and the big cats. Vital projects, So when the Bali villagers did show willingness to help conservationists, Col. Banerjee and others resolved to initiate steps that could enable them to earn through ecotourism and other forms of livelihood. Help Tourism, a major ecotourism operator that focuses on community benefits, began a prolonged dialogue with the villagers. The concept of a Jungle Camp with ethnic cottages providing basic amenities and solar power was drawn up. This would not only generate employment but also enable villagers to have a say in administration. It would also create environmental awareness.
Help Tourism also helped organise medical camps for the Bali villagers whilst a consortium of non-governmental organisations and Belinda Wright’s Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) drew up developmental programmes. These include non-formal education projects with book banks, laundry and tailoring units and setting up an organic rice processing plant. Another notable feature has been increasing interaction between villagers and tourists. Col. Banerjee accompanies tourists aboard the luxurious liner Paramahansa run by Vivada Inland Waterways and takes them to Bali where they can be familiarised with the fascinating culture of the Sunderbans. A dance-drama troupe from Bali entertains tourists with its jatra on Bonbibi and Dakshin Rai. Idols of Bonbibi and Dakshin Rai. Environmental messages are spread through WPSI and WWF and poaching has been curbed to a great extent. One of the biggest proponents of these activities is Anil Mistri, former poacher and now field director of WPSI. Deer meat, considered a delicacy, is often served at wedding feasts, so it was not unusual for Mistri to hunt deer like many others. The dramatic turnabout came in 2002 when a friend shot a deer that had young ones. Full of remorse, Mistri met forest officials and was inducted into conservation efforts. He has since helped build up the Bali Nature and Wildlife Conservation Society. There are 22 schools on Bali island where nature clubs are flourishing. Children are now convinced of the need not to hunt deer to maintain the ratio of deer to tigers and lessen chances of man-animal conflicts.Global relevance Mistri’s message of protecting the Sunderbans has gone global. According to scientists, the Sunderbans are South Asia’s largest “carbon sink” mopping up large amounts of carbon dioxide. It is a crucial link in the efforts to prevent global warming. At a conference, held in Argentina in 2004, he spoke first-hand of his observations on the rising sea waters that pose a great threat to the Sunderbans. “I spoke on how summers are prolonged. Cyclones blow up at any time of the year and there are high surges that threaten our settlements,” says Mistri.
Satellite imagery shows that sea levels have risen at an average rate of 3.14 cm a year over two decades. At least four islands have disappeared or are losing chunks of land. Ghoramara island lost 50 per cent of its land mass and Lohachora completely disappeared. Tigers too are losing their homes and are forced to migrate.> As the big cat totters on the brink of extinction, Col. Banerjee is heartened by the way the message of awareness has spread in ripples from Bali island right up to Shamshernagar on the eastern edge of the Sunderbans. “At a ‘Bagh Bachao’ function there was a man I recognised. He was the father of Rupali Bauli, a young girl who had been killed and dragged away by a tiger from her hut. I am a parent and know the father’s pain. But he had realised the vital need for both the big cat and man to coexist. It was a touching vindication of our faith in the people.”

Copyright: 1995 - 2006 The Hindu

Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the consent of The Hindu

A journey through wilderness...


Sail on an adventurous trip through the amazing flora and fauna of the Sunderbans and that too in a luxury ship... it promises to be a memorable journey.

Sunderban boasts a mix of dense mangrove forests and a fabulous wildlife that attracts visitors like a magnet. The unique biodiversity of this delta wins applause from all those who visit it. The delta at the meeting point of the great rivers, Ganga and Brahmaputra covers a total area of 9630 square kilometers. Sunderbans flaunts 84 species of mangrove and mangrove-related plants, 200 species of birds, including herons, tree birds, raptors, egrets and many more. It houses the largest number of Royal Bengal Tigers in India.Out of the 102

islands at Sunderbans, 54 are inhabited and the people here make a living from agriculture, fishing and honey collection.

Sunderbans, the largest mangrove ecosystem in the world was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985 and was honored as a Biosphere Reserve in 1989.

Vivada Inland Waterways Limited owns a fleet of vessels and is the largest inland waterways company in India. The company presents M.V.Paramhamsa, an advanced luxury cruiser which will take you on a memorable sail into the Sunderbans.

Vivada Cruises takes you through the meandering rivers and the eerie creeks of Sunderbans to make your trip a thrilling one. This will give you the chance to be at one with nature and at the same time enjoy the luxuries provided by the cruise. The international standard facilities and the complete onboard service that the cruiser offers are exquisite.

Vivada Cruises wins your heart with its hospitality. The chefs onboard take care of your appetite and your tongue taste buds. The mouthwatering spread of dishes includes lobsters, fishes and other special sea-foods from all corners of the world.

After munching on the delicious food, burn some calories at the cruise gym. You can also get an Ayurvedic treatment at the massage parlors or read at the library to spend some quiet quality time. The bar also enables you to have a great relaxing time. Visit the art gallery and also enjoy the onboard entertainment programs. The conference rooms with Internet connection and fax facilities are convenient for the corporate traveler.

The ship, M.V.Paramhamsa is 53 meters in length and it houses a total of 32 cabins. The four-decked ship has an under deck, main deck, first deck and sun deck.

The comfortable rooms of M.V.Paramhamsa are air-conditioned, spacious and possess attached baths for the convenience of its guests. The ship comes with 12 luxury rooms on the first deck and 20 deluxe rooms on the main deck. The rooms are equipped with telephone, ample reading stuff, tea and coffee maker and even an emergency kit.

Sail to the Sunderbans with Vivada Cruises and experience the trip of your lifetime.

Sunderban National Park in India is one of the world's largest deltas and the mangrove forest formed by the confluence of three rivers- the Ganga, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna- covering an area of 2,585 sq km wildlife sanctuary, which extends into Bangladesh too. The Sundarbans Wildlife Sanctuary, the world's largest estuarine sanctuary is really worth a visit. With a series of densely forested islands and saline water channels, Sundarbans is home to 270 Royal Bengal Tigers along with the spotted deers, wild pigs, monkeys, herons, kingfishers and white-bellied eagles.

The Sundarbans is formed by an alluvial archipelago of 54 islands, made by the waters of Ganges, Brahmaputra and the Bay of Bengal. The Sundarban National Park got its name from the Sundari trees found here in abundance. Sundarbans' also shares its boundaries with the Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary.

The most unique feature of the Sundarbans is the tigers in the park apt at swimming and are strictly amphibious! The Park is also famous for its conservation of the Ridley Sea Turtles. The other wild animals found in the Sundarbans National Park are estuarine terrapins, Olive Ridley turtles, estuarine crocodiles, Ganges dolphins, water monitors and a wide variety of birds, fish and crustaceans. One of the major tourist attractions is the Sajnekhali Visitors' Centre, which has a crocodile enclosure, a shark pond, a turtle hatchery, and a Mangrove Interpretation Centre.

Flora in Sundarbans National Park

In April and May, the flaming red leaves of the Genwa bejewel the emerald islands. The other dominant floral species in the Sundarbans are crab like red flowers of the Kankara and the yellow blooms of Khalsi. As you go deeper into the Sundarbans forests, you discover the mystique beauty. The large floral population in Sundarbans consists of trees like Genwa, Dhundal, Passur, Garjan and Kankara. Apart from these trees, the tall and wide Goran trees cover almost the entire region.

Wildlife in Sundarbans National Park

The Sundarbans forest houses Royal Bengal Tigers in plenty. At the Sundarbans you are elated to watch Chital Deer and Rhesus Monkey. The aqua fauna in the park include variety of fishes, red Fiddler Crabs and Hermit Crabs.

There are crocodiles, which can be often seen along the mud banks. Sundarbans national park is also noted for its conservation of the Ridley Sea Turtle. There's is a incredible variety of reptiles also found in Sundarbans, which includes King Cobra, Rock Python and Water Monitor. The endangered river Terrapin, Batagur Baska is found on the Mechua Beach, while the Barkind Deer is found only in Holiday Island in Sundarbans.

Special Attractions In Sundarbans

The Sajnakhali Sanctuary : The Sajnakhali sanctuary, a part of the Sundarbans Park is famous for its rich avian population. The wide variety of birds at Sajnekhati sancatuary captivates your eyes for sure. The most distinguishing feature of the sanctuary are the seven colourful species of Kingfisher, White bellied Sea Eagle, Plovers, Lap-Wings, Curfews, Whimbrels, Sandpipers and occasional Pelican.

Netidhopani : At Netidhopani, the ruins of a 400-year-old temple tell a tale of its own adding mystery to the surroundings.

Bhagabatpur : Bhagabatpur is renowned for having a hatchery of the largest estuarine crocodiles in the world.

Kanak : Kanak is the nesting place for the Olive Ridley Turtles.

Holiday Island: The last habitat of the Barking Deer in India is the Holiday island thronged by the tourists every year.

Piyali: Piyali is the main gateway of Sundarbans, near Kolkata and Sajnekhali, Sudhanyakhali, Netidhopani through waterways. A small river Piyali criss crosses the green paddy fields and joins river Matla. It has become a perfect holiday and picnic destination.

Kaikhali : While your trip to Sundarbans, visit Kaikhali Island with a colourful atmosphere.

When to Visit Sunderbans National Park

The best time to visit the Sundarbans National Park is during the months of September and May. The possibility of observing the mighty Royal Bengal Tiger enhances in the winter season when one can watch the King of Jungle sun-bathing on the banks of the river. For this reason the ideal time to visit the sanctuary is December and January.

How to Reach Sunderbans National Park

By Air : Kolkata is the nearest airport is at a distance of 112-kms from the Sundarbans National Park.

By Rail : The nearest railhead is Canning, 48-kms away from the Sunderbans National Park. From Port Canning, regular buses ply to Sonakhali, Raidighi, Najat and Namkhana.

By Road : The excellent road network connects Namkhana to Kolkata, Sonakhali (100-kms), Raidighi (76-kms), Canning (64-kms), and Najat (92-kms), all lying nearby the Sunderbans.

Cruises : The tourists can hire a cruise in the riverine waterways from different places covering different stretches like Namkhana - Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project- Sagar Island -Jambudweep; from Sajnekhali - Sudhanyakhali-Buridabri- Netidhopan-Holiday Island; from Sonakhali - Gosaba; from Raidighi - Kalas. The watchtowers at Netidhopan, Sajnekhali, Sudhanyakhali and Haldi- provide you an excellent view of the wildlife.

The special feature of these boat cruises are: the organization of business conferences and seminars on the deck in the morning followed by a palatable Bengali lunch consisting of Bengali delicacies like fish and prawns. You can also have a vigorous dance session in the boat relishing the melodious music also.

General Information

Entry Permits : The foreign tourists willing to observe the tigers and implement the Tiger Projects and visit the Sajnekhali, have to obtain the special permits for entry into the Sundarbans National Park. The tourists should contact the Secretary, West Bengal Forest Department, Writer's Blidge, Kolkata - 700001, on request. To obtain the entry permit for other areas of the Sundarban; the tourists must visit the Field Director, Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, PO Canning, District 24 Parganas, West Bengal. A boat cruise through Sunderbans outside the sanctuary requires no entry permit.