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 Wildlife
Sanctuary
Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary:
The Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary, which is located
on an area of 5.95 sq km, was established in June, 1976. The
forests are classed as tropical evergreen coastal mangrove.
The forest consists of Ceriops interspersed with sparse stands
of Excoecaria and Phoenix paludosa. A scrubby growth of Avicennia
officinalis and Sonneratia occurs sporadically.
Spotted deer (Axix axis), wild boar (Sus scrofa)
and rhesus macaque (Macaca mullata) are dominant animals.
The tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is also occasionally
sighted, swimming more than 10 km across the river Matla to
reach the island. There is an abundance of fish species and
among the reptiles, Chelonia mydas occurs off shore. Haliday
Island is a nesting site for sea turtles and estuarine crocodiles.
Lothian Island Wildlife Sanctuary:
This island, covering an area of 38.00 sq km, was gazetted
as a sanctuary in 1948 and renotified through Notification
No. 5392-For, dated 24 June, 1976. It is situated at the confluence
of Saptamukhi and the Bay of Bengal. In the southern part
of the island, the ground level is high while in northern
areas the land is low. Avicennia officinalis is the dominant
species, Excoecaria and Heritiera are thinly distributed and
Ceriops is found scattered all over the island.
Spotted deer (Axis axis), wild boar (Sus scrofa),
and rhesus macaques (Macaca mullata) are common. Various
species of waterbirds are sighted all year. In the winter
season there are large numbers of migratory birds. Sightings
of crocodile are quite regular in winter and the area provides
a nesting site for numerous sea turtles. The Bhagabatpur crocodile
farm is located on Lothian island and has successfully reared
and released a number of crocodiles and sea turtles.
Sajnakhali Wildlife Sanctuary:
Sajnakhali wildlife sanctuary has an area of 362.40 sq. km.
It was first declared as a sanctuary in 1960 and later re-declared
in 1976 vide Government Notification No. 5396 - For., dated
24 June, 1976. This sanctuary falls under the jurisdiction
of Project Tiger. Twelve compartments from Pirkhali and Panchamukhai
blocks of forests form the sanctuary. The forest cover consists
of scrub Ceriops mixed with stunted Excoccaria. There are
some Sonneratia, Xylocarpus granatum and X. mekongensis, and
thickets of Phoenix paludosa. Avicennia officinalis occurs
on the banks of creeks and rivers.
Sajnakhali was long renowned as a bird sanctuary and has remained
an important breeding site for many years for several species
of migratory and resident birds. The blocks contain populations
of virtually all the wildlife species found in the Sundarbans
except the sea turtles. Tiger attacks are reported regularly
from all over the blocks and during winter, crocodiles are
also sighted. There is a tourist lodge catering for 60 persons
at Sajnakhali Forest Revenue Station.
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