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Jharkhali, one of the gateways to the Sunderbans, is the entry point for a number of tourist attractions, including the Jharkhali Tiger Rescue Centre
All photos by Karo Christine KumarThe Jharkhali Tiger Rescue Centre celebrated the occasion of Global Tiger Day on Saturday, July 29, 2023, and hundreds of tourists thronged the wildlife park and neighbouring attractions for a glimpse of the striped cats
Located adjacent to the Chhoto Herobhanga River, the Centre opened a few years ago for the upkeep of injured and unwell tigers and crocodiles. The entry fee is Rs 30
The main attraction is the tiger enclosure and crocodiles in the canals. At present, it is home to three Bengal Tigers, 11 saltwater crocodiles (one of which has recently laid eggs), monkeys and a host of flora and fauna. Even if you don’t spot a tiger in the mangroves, you will get to see one here!
A close-up of the Bengal Tiger in the Sunderbans, as shared by the management of Jhore Jole Jongole, an eco-heritage resort in Jharkhali
Still as a statue and caked in mud, this ‘dragon of the Sunderbans swamps’ was the star attraction during the time My Kolkata visited the rescue centre
A mobile tiger awareness booth did the rounds on the occasion of World Tiger Day.
There is a childrens’ park inside the centre. One can take a walk around the centre, though some parts of the walkway are in need of repair work, and are slippery in the monsoons
The Herobhanga jetty was busier than usual on Saturday. “We have brought 600 people here today on 11 boats. Most of them are from outside Kolkata, including districts like Midnapore,” said an employee of Baba Lokenath Tourist Centre, a local tour operator in the Sunderbans
En route to the jetty, shops sell these scary masks to locals, who work in close quarters with the local wildlife. They often use these masks, wearing them at the back of their heads sometimes to deter attacks in the jungle
End on a sweet note with some local honey — more the froth in the bottle, better the honey, they say. Lipika Sarkar has been selling ‘modhu’ from her tea stall near the rescue centre for 10 years. “November to March is the season time. But today there is a bigger crowd because of Tiger Day,” she said
