Hemnagar – On the border of Sunderban

Boat rides through creeks, visits to the fishermen’s bay, mangroves, village tours, and — if we are lucky enough, a brush with the striped beast — that’s the Sunderbans for one.

Hemnagar, on the border of the world’s largest mangrove forest, is a village on the banks of the Raimangal. One can take a motorized van from Samshernagar to the village and find the river full of tiny country boats.

The primary means of transport in this part of the state is the nondescript boat. Along with locals, the tourists can also move around in these boats. A boat ride on the winding river with a line of Sundari trees is a soothing experience.

Bagna (a village opposite Hemnagar) and the Jhingekhali ranges of the Sunderbans are the two places which we can visit by  boat.

The rich bio-diversity of the area is a nature-lover’s delight. After the Aila, extensive areas went under water with every high tide as the dams got damaged.

You can stay at the Zilla Parishad bungalow. The North 24-Parganas administration has built this guest house close to the northern boundary of the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve.

Permission from the field director, Sunderbans Tiger Reserve, Port Canning, is required to visit the tiger reserve.

How to go?

You have to reach Hasnabad by train, then a boatride to Par Hasnabad. Minibus and Trekkers are available to Nebukhali. After reaching Duldulihat by boat and you have to take a Trekker to Hemnagar.

Where to stay?

Zilla Parishad Bungalow is the only option. Contact: Zilla Parishad Office, Barasat, North 24-Parganas. Phone: 2562-4593.