Sundarban is such a wonder of Nature that the more is said about it the more remains to be said. It is awe inspiring, it is enigmatic. It is not just the largest mangrove forest in the world; it is the home of Royal Bengal Tiger, spotted deer and Sundari trees, not to mention hundreds of other indigenous species.

Bangladesh proudly possesses 6000 sq. km. of this 10,000 sq. km. of forest. Among the famous sites on the Bangladesh side are  Hiron Point, Katka and Tin Kona Island. The best time to visit Sundarban is during the winter season, i.e. from November to February, when the climate is favorable.

The only way to reach    Sundarban in Bangladesh is by water from Mongla, which is about two hours' road drive from Khulna Town. At Mongla you can easily get different types of water transports that would take you to different exotic locations in Sundarban. Launches and trawler like boats are relatively cheap and can accommodate a good number of people. You can either choose to go with others in one boat or you can book one solely for yourself and your companions. Slicing through the ripples of       Pashur River, the transport will take you to Karamjal, a tourist spot in Sundarban, within an hour.

As you travel by water you will luxuriate in greeneries on both sides of the river, feeling the fresh cool of the breeze and experiencing the flavor of the riverside civilization; it will indeed be an opportunity for you to indulge yourself in the pure pleasure of romancing with nature. As you reach Karamjal, you will get the true feeling of being in a pristine forest by spending only 10 taka.

Given its unlimited resource and its intrinsic appeal, Sundarban has all the potential for becoming an extremely profitable tourist spot. To date, the potential has not been realized even partially. During the peak season you could see some visitors but then almost all of them are Bangladeshis.

There are reasons for this unfortunate situation. Maintenance of Sundarban is utterly disappointing; you can spot litters scattered throughout the part of the forest that visitors tread and the very few garbage bins that are there are seldom used. The entrance point is lackluster and the authorities are nonchalant. Refreshments are hardly refreshing and sanitation facilities are simply awful.

Then there is the missing sense of adventure. Within the protected zone you could see only crocodiles and deer in their shelters which may give you an impression that it is not a forest but a mini zoo that you have come to visit. For real wildlife viewing, however, you need to travel deep inside the forest using narrow water channels but you may feel discouraged for fear of ferocious animals and pirates.

Your sense of disillusionment may get aggravated if you remember the hassle you underwent by undertaking the bumpy and at times bogging road journey from Dhaka to Mongla.

It is a pity that despite being endowed with one of nature's most exquisite gifts we have not yet been able to utilize it to our substantial benefit.

Oditi Shirleena Mostafa from ET Tourism Desk