Introduction:

Field trips can be defined as a sequence of field demonstration with a view to gain practical experience on different matter. It is important because here people experience directly the purpose and processes of the concerning subject and thereby achieve benefit from it in future. So we the students of department of Forestry and Environmental Science are go to in a field trip in every semester. As a consequence, we students of 3rd year 2nd semester made a field tour to the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest patch in the world. The objectives of this tour was as followed To know the present status of the Sundarbans forest To identify flora and fauna of this forest To explore the problem related to this forest To see the special adaptation and modification of halophytic species To see viviparous and crypto-viviparous germination To observe wildlife in natural state

Tour Duration:
16th February, 2013 to 21st February, 2013.

Participation:
Dr. Md. Belal Uddin, Associate Professor, DFES, SUST Jiban Chandra Deb, Assistant Professor, DFES, SUST Md. Abdul Halim, Assistant Professor, DFES, SUST Md. Golam Kibria, Lecturer, DFES, SUST

Time Frame and schedule:

On 16th February, 2013, Saturday we start our journey to Khulna by bus at 6.30 pm. We reached Khulna at 10am. Then we booked a few hotel rooms in Khulna and take rest for a while. Then at the afternoon, we pay a visit to the Discipline of Forestry and Wood Technology of Khulna University. On the same day, we get on our Launch at Khulna Launch Ghat at about 10 pm. On that night our journey actually starts towards the Sundarbans. At about 2.00 am we reached at Gangmari and pay our royalty for staying inside Sundarbans for 3 days. We also take 2 gaurdes with us for our security and safety. On the next morning 18th February, we visited the Supati Station of Shoronkhola Range. On that day, we also visited the Kochikhali Wildlife Sanctuary. In between we also visited Bogi Forest Research Station of Mangrove Silviculture Division. On the next morning 19th February, we visited the Jamtola Beach. After taking breakfast, we visited the Kotka Wildlife Sanctuary. On that afternoon, we reached at Nilkomol Wildlife Sanctuary. On the next day 20th February, we visited the Harbaria Patrol Office, Chadpai Range and Koromjol Crocodile and

Deer Breeding Center. On that night, we reached at Khulna Launch Ghat at about 8pm. We eat supper and the get off the launch and get on our bus to Sylhet. On 21st February about evening we reached Sylhet.

The Sundarbans Reserve Forest

The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove ecosystem in the world. This ecosystem contains numerous tributaries of the Ganges delta, strewn along the Bay of Bengals coastal belt in southwest Bangladesh. It is one of the largest continuous blocks of mangrove forests in the World. It is about 7000 years old. It is 6-7 meters above from the sea level. The forests aren't just mangrove swamps though; they include some of the last remaining stands of the mighty jungles which once covered the Gangetic plain. The Sundarbans covers a large area, of which about one-third is covered in water. Since 1966 the Sundarbans has been a wildlife sanctuary, and it is estimated that there are now 400 Royal Bengal tigers and about 30,000 spotted deer in the area. The Sundarbans is the home to many different species of birds, mammals, insects, reptiles and fishes. Over 120 species of fishes and over 260 species of birds have been recorded in the Sundarbans. The Gangetic River Dolphin (Platanista gangeticus) is common in the rivers. No less than 50 species of reptiles and eight species of amphibians are known to occur. The Sundarbans now supports the only population of the Estuarine, or Salt-Water Crocodile (Crocodylus parasus) in Bangladesh, and that population is estimated at less than two hundred individuals. Its beauty lies in its unique natural surroundings. Thousands of meandering streams, creeks, rivers and estuaries have enhanced its charm. Sundarbans is the natural habitat of the world famous Royal Bengal Tiger, spotted deer, crocodiles, jungle fowl, wild boar, lizards, theses monkey and an innumerable variety of beautiful birds. Migratory flock of Siberian ducks flying over thousands of sail boats loaded with timber, golpatta, fuel wood, honey, shell and fish further add to the serene natural beauty of the Sundarbans. General Information Nearly 2400 sq. miles or 6000 sq. km. AreaForest LimitsNorth-Bagerhat, Khulna and Sathkira districts: South-Bay of Bengal; East-Baleswar (or Haringhata) river, Perojpur, Barisal district, and West-Raimangal and Hariabhanga rivers which partially form Bangladesh boundary with West Bengal in India. Wildlife photography including photography of the famous Royal Bengal Tiger, wildlife viewing, boating inside the

Main Attraction-

Famous Spots-

Total Forest DivisionTotal Range-

Forest StationsCompartmentsProtected Areas-

forest will call recordings, nature study, meeting fishermen, wood-cutters and honey-collectors, peace and tranquility in the wilderness, seeing the world's largest mangrove forest and the riverine beauty. Hiron Point (Nilkamal) for tiger, deer, monkey, crocodiles, birds and natural beauty. Katka for deer, tiger, crocodiles, varieties of birds and monkey, morning and evening symphony of wild fowls. Vast expanses of grassy meadows running from Katka to Kachikhali (Tiger Point) provide opportunities for wild tracking. Tin Kona Island for tiger and deer. Dublar Char (Island) for fishermen. It is a beautiful island where herds of spotted deer are often seen to graze. 2 Forest divisions. Sundarbans East Forest Division and Sundarbans West Forest Division. 4 Range offices. Chandpai & Sarankhola range under Sundarbans East Forest Division. Khulna & Burigoalini range under Sundarbans West Forest Division. There are total 16 forest stations in Sundarbans. There are total 55 compartments in Sundarbans. Protected areas cover 15% of the Sundarbans mangroves including Sundarbans National Park and Sajnakhali Wildlife Sanctuary, in West Bengal, Sundarbans East, Sundarbans South and Sundarbans West Wildlife Sanctuaries in Bangladesh.

Supati Station
Supati station is under Shoronkhola Range, Sundarban East Forest Division, Bagerhat. Its total area is about 1600 hectors. The Station Officer Prohlad Chandra Roy, Deputy Ranger gives us a brief lecture about Supati station. There we saw Golpatta, Sundri, Keora, Bhola, Hental, Tiger Fern etc. spp. We also saw Spotted Deer and Wild Bore also. We also see the pneumatophores of Keora and Sundri here.

Kochikhali Wildlife Sancuary

Kochikhali Wildlife Sanctuary is also under Shoronkhola Range, Sundarban East Forest Division, Bagerhat. We explore this area and saw a large number of Spotted Deer and Wild Bore. Here also see the pneumatophores of Keora and Sundri.

Bogi Forest Research Station

Bogi forest research station is under the mangrove Silviculture division of Bangladesh forest research institute (BFRI). It is situated in Shoronkhola range of bagerhat. It

established in1977. It studies the vegetation dynamics and regeneration patterns in relation to salinity and salination of the Sundarbans.

Kotka Wildlife Sanctuary

Kochikhali Wildlife Sanctuary is also under Shoronkhola Range, Sundarban East Forest Division, Bagerhat. Here we see some Spotted Deer and Rhesus Monkey Grazing together. We also see natural regeneration of Keora and Sundri spp. We get on the watch tower and get a complete view of this place. We also entered into a Hental Jungle. Hental Jungle is known as the resting place of Royal Bengal Tiger. We also see some old pug marks of them.

Nilkomol Wildlife Sanctuary

It is under the Khulna Range, Sundarbans Division. Its total area is 577,285 hectors where total forest area is 401,685 hectors and total rivers and khals area is 175,600 hectors. Some Key Flora and Fauna of Nilkomol Wildlife Sanctuary Flora Sundri Gewa Golpata Kankra Baen Passur Khulsi Hantal Keora Dhundol Shingra Bhola Fauna Mammals Royal Spotted Barking Wild Boar Rhesus Bengal Deer Deer Monkey Tiger Squirrel Dolphin Otter Reptiles Estuarine Python Flap Spotted Crocodile Shelled Turtles Turtles Fish Vetki Paissa Hilsha Rekha Pangas Riths Catfish Lobster Prawn Shrimp Aves Pond Hiron Fishing Cattle Little Egret Curlew Eagle Egret Golden Red Jungle Plover Foul

Harbaria Ecotourison Center

Harbaria Ecotourion Center is under Chadpai Range, Sundarban East Forest Division, Khulna. Here we take a walk inside the forest and observe the flora of this area. We also see some fresh pug marks of Royal Bengal Tiger here.

Koromjol Crocodile and Deer Breeding Center

Koromjol Crocodile and Deer Breeding Center is under Sundarbans East Forest Division. We see different ages crocodile babies and also mature crocodile. We also saw some Spotted Deer and Red faced Monkey in same cage. This was the last venue of our Sundarbans tour.

Problems of The Sundarbans

The threats to the mangrove eco-system are arising partly due to biotic pressure from the surrounding environment and, partly due to human induced or natural changes in the upper catchments. These can be outlined as below: Less manpower and lack of expertise of forest officers Reduced flow of sweet water into Sundarban mangrove system Extension of non-forestry land use into mangrove forest Straying of tiger into villages along the western boundary of Sundarban Demand for small timber and fuel wood for local consumption Poaching of tiger, spotted deer, wild boar, marine turtles, horse shoe crab etc. Uncontrolled fishing in the water of Reserve Forests Continuous trampling of river/creek banks by fishermen & prawn collectors Chemical pollution through marine paints and hydrocarbons Organizational and infrastructure deficiencies

Recommendations
Some recommendations for The Sundarbans are Assign trained and expert personals Observe and increase the flow of sweet water Reduce stress upon The Sundarbans Increase the scope of research on The Sundarbans Take action against all crimes on The Sundarbans like hunting, poaching, illicit felling etc.

Personal Evaluation and Conclusion

This is the best tour of my life. I have gather a lots of experiences here. It was my lifes longest journey. I saw a large number of wildlife in natural state for the first time of my life. I also saw pnumetaphores of Sundri, Keora and Baen; Buttres of Sundri; stelth root system and knee root system. I also see viviparous germination and crypto viviparous germination. I can now identify all the major species of Sundarbans like Sundri, Keora, Baen, Goran, Golpatta, Kankra, Hental, Horgoza, Bhola, Singra etc. In the tour we had visited in different places. We had enjoyed a lot in the tour. We also gathered a vast knowledge and this is the key point of the tour that I personally think. It may possible for us to visit such places, where general visitor are not allowed. Therefore, the knowledge we gathered from there are the special to us which are unusual to the untrained eyes.