Serial Content Page

No. No.
1 Introduction
2 Our Team
3 Importance of field study
4 Tour Schedule
5 Aims & Objectives
6 Sundarban Biosphere Reserve
7 Day to Day Activities
8 Name & Description of animals observed
9 Human-Tiger Conflict
10 Study of community structure by QUADRAT Method
11 Determination of density, frequency and abundance
of species by quadrat method
12 Calculation of shannon’s diversity index
13 Pitfall Trapping
14 Conclusion
15 Acknowledgement
 Excursion is stair towards enhancement of our knowledge about our nature. The
term is derived from Latin word ‘excuro’which means ‘to run out’. From childhood till now
our knowledge get confined in the pages of book. Excursion helps us to fly in nature,
accumulate practical knowledge and strong our theoretical knowledge. Zoology is the
scientific study of animals, including how they behave, reproduce, evolve, and interact with
other species and their environment. By understanding how animals work, we must have
to go field & observe them. To enter a zoological scientific community, a student has to
learn how the classical way of the subject works. College excursion is a little step towards
this. It gives us a lot of learn, thought& many more e.g.; Socialization, Exposure, Curiosity.
Actually an educational tour is how much beneficial to a student can’t measure. Here I
want to notify some point about this: -

New sights - Students may have the opportunity to observe many things that are not
available at college. They introduced to the real world of their subject.

Bonding - Getting away from the everyday atmosphere of theclassroom gives

students an opportunity to spend time with each other in a new environment & make a
unbreakable bonding. It also gives us classroom supplement, informal learning
environment, break from the routine, creates an interest in subjective professions, real-
world experience, connection to community.

1. Professors : a) Mr. Sujit Kr. Bhowal

b) Dr. Sanjukta Manna
 c) Dr. Rajarshi Ghosh

2. Tour Operator : Sri Manas Mahapatra & Sri Prahlad

Samanta
3. Non-teaching
Staff : Sri SudarshanHalder
4. Local Guide : Sri Santi ranjan Jodder & Sri Achintya
Mandal
5. Students:

Boys Girls

a. Achintya Mahato a) Rashi Chattopadhya

b. Akash Saha b) Nabaneeta Mitra
c. Avijit Mondal c) Swagata Hazra
d. Jishnu Sarathi Dev d) Jaysmita Saha
e. Pronoy Das e) Prita Chakrabarty
f. Saikat Dhar f) Sukanya Burman
g. Samijuddin Sk. g) Subhamita Biswas
h. Samudra Gupta h) Priyanka Roy
i. Sayan Sardar i) Saifa Chowdhury
j) Kahkeshan Parveen
k) Saina Parveen
1. It gives us an opportunity to gain “real world experience”

2. It helps us acquaint with new cultures

3. Field trips can “deepen and enhance” classroom study and assert a quality to the
curriculum that extends beyond the walls of the classroom

4. It introduces us to new experiences and has potential to increase interest and

engagement in a topic regardless of prior interest in the topic

5. It develops the power of exploration and observation

6. It enriches our power of judgement, problem solving and also the ability of drawing
inferences

7. It develops co-operative attitude and sense of team work

8. It gives us the opportunity to appreciate the relevance of theoretical knowledge in

field conditions

9. It gives us a chance to develop compassion towards nature

10.The experiences can be “recalled and useful long after a visit”

  08:00 AM : Journey started from Maulana Azad College premises in a small FRI
bus. DA
 11:25 AM : Reached Gadkhali
Y,
 11:30 AM : Boarded to the Motor Boat named M.B. Krishna Narayan
 12:15 PM : Reached Gosaba 02
 12:30 PM : Visited Hamilton Saheb’sBunglow& other locality De
 01:30 PM : Had our lunch on the boat ce
 04:15 PM : Reached Pirkhali-1 block m
 05:20 PM : Reached Our Cottage at Pakhiralay.
be
 06:30 PM :Light trap & Pitfall pots placed in the cottage premises.
r,
20

 08:00 AM : Journey started from Pakhiralay in our lounch M.B. Krishna Narayan
SATURDAY, 03 December ,2016

 08:35 AM : Reached Sajnekhali Tiger Researve& Watched Sajmekhali Eco-

cultural museum
 10:00 AM : Reached Sudhanyakhali Watch tower
 11:15 AM : Reached Panchamukhani
 12:45 PM : Reached Pirkhali-5
 01:00 PM : Reached Dobanki Watch tower & watched spotted deer beside a
pond
 05:00 PM : Returned to Pakhiralay base camp
 07:30 PM : Watched cultural programme on mythological cultures of
Sunderban
  07:25 AM :Jorney started in the same boat from Pakhiralay camp
S
 07:30-08:30 AM : watched different types of birds on Raimangal river
 09:25 AM : Reached Kumirmari on the right side of Raimangal river U
 09:40 AM : Reached Bagna beat (Basirhat range) N
 10:45 AM : Reached Burirdabri Khari (On the way to the Burirdabri Watch D
tower)
A
 12:00 PM : Reached Burirdabri Watch tower& started canopy walk
 01:00 PM : Meeting with Beat officer Prabhat ch.Santra
Y,
 01:30 PM : Lunch break 04
 04:15 PM : Returned to the Sajnekhali Base camp D
ec
e
MONDAY , 05 December , 2016

 07:20 AM : Quadrate sampling

 09:30 AM : Started our journey from Pakhiralay camp towards Gosaba
 11:30 AM : Lunch near Gosaba
 12:30 PM : Reached Gadkhali
 12:40 PM : Started journey in a small bus from Gadkhali towards Kolkata
 02:30 PM : Reached Basanti Highway
 04:15 PM : Reached college premises

Objective of excursion is to make ourselves more and more familiar with wild
varieties about which we get a theoretical knowledge through books. We worked as groups
to understand the characteristics of a rich biodiversity, studying the ecology of Sundarban
really helped us in that area.

The objectives that we had in mind for this field trip were:--

1. To discover the uniqueness of mangrove forests in Sundarban

2. To see the functions of the Sundarban ecosystem

3. To study the adaptive features of some species

4. To understand the importance of saving the remaining mangrove ecosystem in

Sundarban

5. To analyze the conservation work being carried out in Sundarban Excursion actually
equip us with knowledge of ecosystem and biodiversity practically, there biotic and
abiotic components and process of their inter-relation. Thus by playing a dual role in
education & enjoyment, it enhances the interest of knowledge, collection & knowing
about organisms which we do not get much interest theoretically.

Sundarban Biosphere Reserve

 Location:The Sundarban at the apex of the Bay of Bengal is located on South 24
Parganas, West Bengal, India.

Coordinates :21013’N to 22040’N latitude and 88003’E to 89007’E longitude.

Area:A total area of 10,000 km 2,of which 62% lies within Bangladesh and 38%
inIndia. The Indian part of Sundarbans is estimated to be about 4,110 square
kilometres (1,590 sq mi), of which about 1,700 square kilometres (660 sq mi) is
occupied by waterbodies in the forms of river, canals and creeks of width varying from
a few metres to several kilometres.

Description :
Sundarban, located at the southern fringe of the State of West Bengal is a mangrove
dominated unique deltaic ecosystem at the apex of Bay of Bengal. The Sundarban National
Park is also inscribed on the UNESCO‟s Natural World Heritage List. This highly specialized
mangrove ecosystem supports rich biodiversity. Many floral and faunal species are highly
endangered. The area is subjected to frequent storms and lacks fresh water, which has
made the survival of faunal and floral species a struggle and has resulted in a multitude of
adaptations in respect of morphological, anatomical and physiological characteristics.

The Sundarbans is the 3rd largest Biosphere Reserve in India. Cosidering the importance
and uniqueness, the Sundarbans has been accepted in the Global Network of Biosphere
Reserves by UNESCO in 2001. The mangrove forest of Sundarbans was also declared as a
‘‘World Heritage Site’’ and “Ramsar Wetland Site” for proper preservation of its flora and
fauna.

The region is bordered by Bangladesh in the East, the Hooghly River (a continuation
ofthe Ganges River) in the West, Dampier and Hodges line in the North, and the Bay
ofBengal in the South.
 The entire biosphere reserve can be
spatially divided in to 3 zones-

i. Core zone (1,692 sq. km.)

ii. Buffer zone (2,233 sq. km.)
iii. Transition zone (5,705 sq. km.)

The Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve

includes one National Park- the
Sundarban National Park (1,330 sq.
km.) and 3 Wildlife Sanctuaries –
Sajinakhali (362.40 sq. km.), Lothian
Island (38 sq. km.) and Haliday Island
(5.95 sq. km.).

The transition area of 5,705 sq. km. along the northern boundary of the reserve is
mainly mangrove reclaimed area where agriculture and coastal aquaculture are extensively
practiced by about 4.1 million local people.

Climate:
Although the region is situated south of the Tropic of Cancer, the temperature is
equable due to its proximity to the sea. Average annual maximum temperature is around
35 C . Average annual rainfall is 1920 mm. Average humidity is about 82% which is more or
less uniform throughout the year.

Topography & Soil:

 The active delta of the Sunderban bears the soil types of silty clay loams, sandy clay and
loams, soil with organic and peaty deposits, swampy and marshy soil, also called as
‘mangrove soil’. The soil is oxygen deficient and nitrogen content is also low. Soil pH is
more or less acidic (ranges from 5.4 to 7.8).

Biodiversity of Sunderban
Sundarban is very rich in biodiversity value, which is not yet fully explored. A total of
over 96 species of mangroves and its associates have been recorded in Indian
Sundarban of which 34 are true mangroves. A total of over 1692 species has been
recorded as faunal diversity of Sundarban, of which 481 species belong to vertebrates
and 1104 belong to invertebrates.

FLORAL DIVERSITY FAUNAL DIVERSITY

Mangroves &associates 84 Total No. of species 1692
Algae 150 Vertebrate 482
Phytoplankton 102 Invertebrate 1104
Protozoan 106

Mangrove Vegetation :

The Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve supports the world‟s most luxuriant mangrove
vegetation - a well known ecosystem of the tropics.The vegetation of Sundarban mangrove
forest appeared during 31750 ±2030 years before past. Situated at the mouth of Ganga-
Brahmaputra delta, the united landmass of Sundarban mangrove forest has been the
largest single mangrove chunk in the world. After partition of India in 1947, Bangladesh
(erstwhile Pakistan) shares about 60% of mangrove forest area and remaining 40% fall in
India.

A total 245 genera and 334 plant species were recorded by David Prain in 1903. While most
of the mangroves in other parts of the world are characterised by members of
the Rhizophoraceae, Avicenneaceae or Combretaceae.

The most common and dominant mangrove plants are described below-

Common Name Scientific Name

Sundari Heritiera fomes
Gnewa Excoecaria agallocha
Garan Ceriops decandra
Hental Phoenix paludosa
Garjan Rhizophora apiculata
Golpata Nypa fruticans
Dhudul Xylocarpus granatum
Passur Xylocarpus mekongensis
Hodo Acrostichum aureum
Jat Bain Avicennia officinalis
Kalo Bain Avicennia alba
Kankra Bruguiera gymnorrhiza
TokKeora Sonneratia apetala
Hargoja Acanthus ileifolius
Kripa Lumnitzera racemosa
DhaniGhas Porteresia coarctata
Khalsi Aegiceras corniculatum

Fig: a. Kankra Tree ; b. Pneumatophore of mangrove tree.

Figure: Faunal Biodiversity in Sundarban. a. Sundari ; b. Garjan ; c. Dhundhul ; d. Khalsi ;
e. Hodo ; f. Golpata.

Faunal Diversity:
Presently there are 481 vertebrate species, 1 hemichordate species, 1104 invertebrate
species,and 106 protozoan species in Sundarban Forests. Total species included in Schedules
I and II of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 are 40 that has 15 mammals, 8 birds and 17
reptiles. Sundarban is also the only mangrove forest in the world having the tiger as its
indigenous population. As per 2004 census, the tiger population in Indian Sundarban is
around 274, out of which Sundarban Tiger Reserve has 249 tigers and South 24-Parganas
forest division has 25 tigers (Raha 2004). Besides, six species ofshark and ray, which are
found here, are included in Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act. These indicate that
Sundarban Reserved Forest is a natural biodiversity hot spot.

Dominant animal species are-

ARTHROPODS
Common Name Scientific Name
Common crab Carcinus sp.
Fiddler crab Ucca dussumieri
Horseshoe crab Carcinoscropiusrotundicauda
Honey bee Apis dorsata
Hermit Crab Clibanariusp adavensis
MOLLUSCS
Common Name Scientific Name
Screw shell Telescopium telescopium

FISH
Common Name Scientific Name
Mudskipper Boleopthalmus sp.
Half Beak Hemiramphus sp.
GutiPua (Archer fish) Toxoteschatareus
Tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier
Whale shark Rhincodon typus
Sawfish Pristis sp.
 REPTILES

Common Name Scientific Name

Estuarine crocodile Crocodilus porosus
Bengal monitor lizard Varanus salvator B
River terrapin Batagur baska
I R
Olive ridley Lepidochelys olivacea
D S
Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas
Hawksbill turtle Eritmochely simbricata
Common Name
king cobra Scientific Name
Ophiophagus hannah
White-rumped
Common cobravulture Gyps bengalensis
Naja naja
Lesser adjutant
Russel's viper stork Leptoptilos javanicus
Vipera russelli
Greater spotted
Common krait eagle Aquila clanga
Bungarusc aeruleus
Pond heron
Python Ardeola
Pythongrayii
sp.
Greater Egret Ardea alba
Lesser Egret Egretta garzetta
Red shank Tringa totanus
Brahminy kite Haliastur indus
Little cormorant Microcarbo niger
common sandpiper Actitishy poleucos
common kingfisher Alcedo atthis
white-throated kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis
rose-ringed parakeet Psittacula krameri
black-capped kingfisher Halcyon pileata

MAMMALS

Common Name Scientific Name

Royal Bengal Tiger Panthera tigris tigris
Fishing cat Felisviverrina Bennett
Common otter Lutra lutra
Gangetic dolphin Platinista gangetica
Snubfin dolphin Orcellabre virostris
Wild boars Sus scrofa
 Spotted deer Axis axis
Porcupines Hystrix indica
Rhesus macaque Macaca mulata
Little porpoise Neomeris phocaenoides
Indian fox Vulpes bengalensis
Jungle cat Felis chaus
Small Indian civet Viverricula indica
Common grey mongoose Herpestes edwardsii
Indian flying fox Pteropus giganteus
Pangolin Manis crassicaudata

Day to Day Activities

Day 1 (FRIDAY, 02 December, 2016)
 8:00 AM : Journey started from Maulana Azad College premises in a bus.
 12:15 PM : Reached Gosaba & Visited Hamilton Saheb’sBunglow & other locality
 02:00 PM : Collection of specimens from nearby island beside Bidyadhari river
 05:20 PM : Reached Our Cottage at Pakhiralay.
 06:30 PM :Light trap & Pitfall pots are placed in the cottage premises.
Fig. Journey started from college campus.

Fig. Our Boat M.B. KRISHNA NARAYAN.

 Fig. Hamilton Saheb’s Bunglow at Gosaba.

Fig. Statue of Rabindranath Tagore beside the bunglow.

 Fig. Collection of specimens from river side bank beside River Bidyadhari.

Name & description of collected specimens :-

 Fiddler Crab (Uca sp.)
Fiddler crabs are easily recognized by their
distinctively asymmetric claws.

Fiddler crabs communicate by a sequence of

waves and gestures;males have an oversized claw
or chela; used in clashes of ritualized combat of
courtship over a female and signal their intentions
between conspecifics. The movement of the
smaller claw from ground to mouth during
feeding explains the crabs' common name; it looks
IUCN Status : LC as if the animal were playing the larger claw like a
fiddle.

Mudskipper (Boleophthalmus sp/

Periophthalmodon sp.)
They live in swamps and estuaries and on mud flats
and are noted for their ability to climb, walk, and skip
about out of water.

They have two dorsal fins, and their pelvic fins are
placed forward under the body, either partly or
completely fused. Their blunt heads are topped by
large, movable, close-set, and protuberant eyes, and
IUCN Status : LC their strong pectoral fins aid them in movements on
land.

Out of water, they breathe with air trapped in their gill

chambers as well as through the skin.

Day 2(SATURDAY, 03 December ,2016)

 08:00 AM : Journey started from Pakhiralayin our lounch M.B. Krishna Narayan
 08:35 AM : Reached Sajnekhali Tiger Researve& Watched Sajnekhali Eco-cultural
museum
 10:00 AM : Reached Sudhanyakhali Watch tower
 11:45 AM : Reached Choragaji Khal & spotted a crocodile at Panchamukhani-3 Block
 12:45 PM : Reached Pirkhali-5 & spotted a tiger swimmimg across the Gaji river
 01:00 PM : Reached Dobanki Watch tower & watched spotted deer beside a pond

Fig. Front gate of Sajnekhali sanctuary. Fig. Our Local Guide Mr. Santi Jodder

Fig. Fresh water pond beside the watch tower in Sudhanyakhali.

Fig. Watch tower in Sudhanyakhali. Fig. Entry point at Dobanki Camp.
Name & Description of animals cited on Day 2:

Pond heron ( Ardeola grayii )

The Indian pond heron or paddybird is a small

heron. It is of Old World origins, breeding in
southern Iran and east to Pakistan, India, Burma,
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

They appear stocky with a short neck, short thick

bill and buff-brown back. They are however
distinctive when they take off with bright white
wings flashing in contrast to the cryptic streaked
IUCN Status : LC olive and brown colours of the body.

Lesser egret ( Egretta garzetta )

It is a white bird with a slender black beak, long

black legs and, in the western race, yellow feet. As
an aquatic bird, it feeds in shallow water and on
land, consuming a variety of small creatures. It
breeds colonially, often with other species of
water birds, making a platform nest of sticks in a
tree, bush or reed bed. A clutch of bluish-green
eggs is laid and incubated by both parents. The

IUCN Status : LC
young fledge at about six weeks of age.
 Eastern Great egret
(Ardea alba modesta)

Measuring 83–103 cm (33–41 in) in length

and weighing 0.7–1.2 kg (1.5–2.6 lb), the
eastern great egret is a large heron with all-
white plumage. Its bill is black in the
breeding season and yellow at other times,
and its long legs are red or black. The
colours of the bare parts of the face change
to green during the breeding season.

IUCN Status : LC

Lesser adjutant stork

(Leptoptilos javanicus)

A large stork with an upright stance,

a bare head and neck without a pendant
pouch, it has a length of 87–93 cm (34–37
in) (outstretched from bill-to-tail
measurement), weighs from 4 to 5.71 kg
(8.8 to 12.6 lb) and stands about 110–120
cm (43–47 in) tall. The only confusable
species is the greater adjutant, but this
species is generally smaller and has a
IUCN Status : VU straight upper bill edge (culmen),
measuring 25.8–30.8 cm (10.2–12.1 in) in
length, with a paler base and appears
slightly trimmer and less hunch-backed.
The skullcap is paler and the upper
plumage is uniformly dark, appearing
almost all black.
 Brahminy kite (Haliastur indus)

They are found in the Indian

subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia.
They are found mainly on the coast and in
inland wetlands where they feed on dead
fish and other prey. Adults have a reddish-
brown plumage and a contrasting white
head and breast which makes them easy to
distinguish from other birds of prey.
IUCN Status : LC

Red vented bulbul

(Pycnonotus cafer)

It is resident breeder across the Indian

subcontinent, including Sri Lanka extending
east to Burma and parts of Tibet. The red-
vented bulbul is easily identified by its short
crest giving the head a squarish appearance.
The body is dark brown with a scaly pattern
while the head is darker or black. The rump is
white while the vent is red. The black tail is
tipped in white.

IUCN Status : LC
 River lapwing
(Vanellus duvaucelii)

Its range includes much of northern and

northeastern India, stretching towards Myanmar.
The river lapwing is 29–32 cm long. It has a black
crest, crown, face and central throat and grey-
white neck sides and nape. It has a grey-brown
breast band and white underparts with a black
belly patch. The back is brown, the rump is white
IUCN Status : LC and the tail is black. Males are slightly larger than
females.

common sandpiper
(Actitis hypoleucos)

The adult is 18–20 cm (7.1–7.9 in) long with a

32–35 cm (13–14 in) wingspan. It has greyish-
brown upperparts, white underparts, short dark-
yellowish legs and feet, and a bill with a pale
base and dark tip. In winter plumage, they are
duller and have more conspicuous barring on the
IUCN Status : LC wings, though this is still only visible at close
range. Juveniles are more heavily barred above
and have buff edges to the wing feathers.
 Common redshank
(Tringa totanus)

Common redshanks in breeding plumage

are a marbled brown color, slightly lighter below.
In winter plumage they become somewhat
lighter-toned and less patterned, being rather
plain greyish-brown above and whitish below.
They have red legs and a black-tipped red bill,

IUCN Status : LC and show white up the back and on the wings in
flight.

Common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

This sparrow-sized bird has the typical short-

tailed, large-headed kingfisher profile; it has blue
upperparts, orange underparts and a long bill. It
has a green-blue neck stripe, white neck blaze and
throat, rufous underparts, and a black bill with
some red at the base. The legs and feet are bright
red. It is about 16 centimetres (6.3 in) long with a
wingspan of 25 cm (9.8 in), and weighs 34–46
grams (1.2–1.6 oz).

IUCN Status : LC
The female is identical in appearance to the
male except that her lower mandible is orange-red
with a black tip.
 Common Grey Mongoose
(Herpestes edwardsii)

The Indian grey mongoose or common grey

mongoose, is medium-sized tawny or yellowish
grey with a lighter underside, darker feet and
dark red tail tip. They have a reddish tint to their
heads.

IUCN Status : LC Being carnivorous it feeds on many species

ranging from rats to snakes.

Asiatic water monitor

(Varanus salvator)

It is a large lizard native to South

and Southeast Asia. The water monitor
is a large species of monitor lizard.
Breeding maturity is attained for males
when they are a relatively modest 40 cm
(16 in) long and weigh 1 kg (2.2 lb), and
for females at 50 cm (20 in). However,
they grow much larger throughout life,
with males being larger than females
IUCN Status : LC Water monitors defend themselves
using their tails, claws, and jaws. They
are excellent swimmers, using the raised
fin on their tails to steer through water.
They are carnivores.
 IUCN Status : LC

Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)

It is the largest of all living reptiles. The saltwater crocodile has a wide snout
compared to most crocodiles. However, it has a longer muzzle , its length is twice its
width at the base. The saltwater crocodile has fewer armour plates on its neck than other
crocodilians. On this species, a pair of ridges runs from the eyes along the centre of the
snout. The scales are oval in shape and the scutes are either small compared to other
species or commonly are entirely absent. In addition, an obvious gap is also present
between the cervical and dorsal shields, and small, triangular scutes are present between
the posterior edges of the large, transversely arranged scutes in the dorsal shield.

Spotted deer (Axis axis)

A moderately sized deer, male chital

reach nearly 90 cm and females 70 cm at
the shoulder. While males weigh 30–75
kg. the lighter females weigh 25–45
kgs .The species is sexually dimorphic:
males are larger than females, and
antlers are present only on males. The
upper parts are golden to rufous,
completely covered in white spots. The
IUCN Status : LC abdomen, rump, throat, insides of legs,
ears and tail are all white. The antlers,
three-pronged, are nearly 1m. long.
Royal Bengal tigerIUCN Status : EN
(Panthera tigris tigris)

The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is the most numerous tiger subspecies. By
2011, the total population was estimated at fewer than 2,500 individuals with a decreasing
trend. Since 2010, it is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

As of 2010, Bengal tiger populations in India have been estimated at 1,706–1,909. As

of 2014, they had reputedly increased to an estimated 2,226 individuals, but the method
used in the census may not be accurate.

The Bengal tiger's coat is yellow to light orange, with stripes ranging from dark
brown to black; the belly and the interior parts of the limbs are white, and the tail is
orange with black rings. The white tiger is a recessive mutant of the Bengal tiger, which is
reported in the wild from time to time in Assam, Bengal, Bihar and especially from the
former State of Rewa. However, it is not to be mistaken as an occurrence of albinism. In
fact, there is only one fully authenticated case of a true albino tiger, and none of black
tigers, with the possible exception of one dead specimen examined in Chittagong in 1846.

Male Bengal tigers have an average total length of 270 to 310 cm. including the tail,
while females measure 240 to 265 cm on average. The tail is typically 85 to 110 cm long,
and on average, tigers are 90 to 110 cm in height at the shoulders. The weight of males
ranges from 180 to 258 kg while that of the females ranges from 100 to 160 kg. The
smallest recorded weights for Bengal tigers are from the Bangladesh Sundarbans, where
adult females are 75 to 80 kg .Bengal tigers have exceptionally stout teeth, and the canines
are the longest among all living felids; measuring from 7.5 to 10 cm in length.
 Tigers are carnivores. They prefer hunting large ungulates such as chital, sambar, gaur,
and to a lesser extent also barasingha, water buffalo, nilgai, serow and takin. Among the
medium-sized prey species they frequently kill wild boar, and occasionally hog deer,
muntjac and grey langur. Small prey species such as porcupines, hares and peafowl form a
very small part in their diet. Because of the encroachment of humans into their habitat,
they also prey on domestic livestock.

Fig.
Reporting
of Tiger
sighting at
the Forest
office by us.

Fig. Pug mark in

Sudhanyakhali
beside watch
tower.
 Human–Tiger
Conflict

Human-tiger conflict is an ancient problem that has contributed to the loss of tiger subspecies
and populations. Human-killing by tigers and tiger-killing by humans in the Sundarbans is an example of
human-tiger conflict at its most extreme.

The area where wild tigers can still survive is diminishing at an alarming rate, with tiger habitat
now 7% of its historical extent.Where tiger habitat still occurs, grazing pressure,unsustainable resource
use, and direct hunting of tigers and their prey are threatening the tiger’s survival. The remaining tiger
habitat continues to be depleted through land conversion and the increasing demand for forest products
from a burgeoning human population.

Cause of Man-Tiger Conflict

No one is exactly sure why the tigers of the Sundarbans are so aggressive towards humans, but scientists,
biologists, and others have speculated about a number of reasons. These include:

 Since the Sundarbans is located in a coastal area, the water is relatively salty. In all other habitats,
tigers drink fresh water. It is rumored that the saltiness of the water in this area has put them in a state
of constant discomfort, leading them to be extremely aggressive. Freshwater lakes have been
artificially made but to no avail.

 The high tides in the area destroy the tiger's urine and scat which serve as territorial markers. Thus,
the only way for a tiger to defend its territory is to physically dominate everything that enters.

 Another possibility is that the tigers find hunting animals difficult due to the continuous high and low tides
making the area marsh-like and slippery. Humans travel through the Sundarbans on boats gathering honey
and fishing, making for easy prey.
About 5,000 people frequent the swamps and waterways of the Sundarbans. Fishing boats traverse the
area and many stop to collect firewood, honey and other items. In the dark forest, tigers find it easy to
stalk and attack men absorbed in their work.

If any tiger enters inside a village it reaches to a risk of death or injury of human life by any means. So
many a time tigers are killed through retribution killings associated with tiger humanconflict. These
retribution killings are a result of negative perception of humans towards tigers due to the incidents of
human or livestock killing or sometimes simply a tiger appears as a threat when it stays in a village. This
conflict creates negative attitudes in local communities towards tigers for its conservation in the long run.

The (current) Solutions:

1) Masks: Because tigers are ambush predators they often won't attack prey who sees them. People
who work in the woods wear masks on the back of their heads to make it appear that they are
facing the tiger even when their backs were turned.

2)   Nylon net fence: Nylon net fences are put up in an attempt to keep tigers in.

3)   Tiger Straying Combat Force: A group of people are trained on how to deal with tigers that
stray, to decrease the delay in response time when tigers stray into villages .

4)   Praying to Bonbibi: Though not an official mitigation method, the single most common way
locals try to ward off tiger attacks is by praying to Bonbibi, the forest diety. She is thought to
protect those who work in the forest from the tiger demon Dokkhin Rai. 
Fig. Bonbibi, the Forest Deity. Fig. Masking for protection against tiger.
 Fig. Tiger Straying Combat Force.

DAY 3 (SUNDAY , 04 December , 2016)

 07:25 AM :Jorney started in the same boat from Pakhiralay camp
 07:30-08:30 AM : watched different types of birds on Raimangal river
 09:40 AM : Reached Bagna beat (Basirhat range)
 12:00 PM : Reached Burirdabri Watch tower& started canopy walk
 01:00 PM : Meeting with Beat officer Prabhatch.Santra

Fig. BSF base camp in Bagna. Fig. Our Local guide Mr. Achintya Mandal
Fig. Front gate in Burirdabri Watch tower.

Fig. Canopy walk in Burirdabri.

 Fig. Canopy Walk in Burirdabri. Fig. Watch Tower in Burirdabri.

Fig. Talking session with Beat Officer Mr. P.C. Santra in Burirdabri.
Name & Description of animals cited on Day 3:
 Little cormorant (Microcarbo niger)
The breeding adult bird has a glistening all black
plumage with some white spots and filoplumes
on the face. There is also a short crest on the
back of the head. The eyes, gular skin and face
are dark. In the non-breeding bird or juvenile,
the plumage is brownish and the bill and gular
skin can appear more fleshy. The crest becomes
inconspicuous and a small and well-marked
white patch on the throat is sometimes visible.
IUCN Status : LC

Indian robin (Copsychus fulicatus)

The Indian robin is sexually dimorphic in plumage

with the male being mainly black with a white
shoulder patch or stripe whose visible extent can
vary with posture. The males have chestnut
undertail coverts and these are visible as the bird
usually holds the 6–8 cm long tail raised upright. The
females are brownish above, have no white
shoulder stripe and are greyish below with the vent

IUCN Status : LC
a paler shade of chestnut than the males.
 Rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri)

The rose-ringed parakeet is sexually dimorphic. The

adult male sports a red or black neck ring and the hen
and immature birds of both sexes either show no neck
rings, or display shadow-like pale to dark grey neck rings.
Both sexes have a distinctive green colour. Rose-ringed
parakeets measure on average 40 cm in length, including
the tail feathers, a large portion of their total length.
Their average single-wing length is about 15–17.5 cm .In
the wild, this is a noisy species with an unmistakable
squawking call. It is herbivorous and not migratory.

IUCN Status : LC

Black-capped kingfisher (Halcyon pileata)

This kingfisher is about 28 cm. long. The adult has a

purple-blue wings and back, black head and shoulders,
white
Commonneck collar and throat, and rufous underparts. The
hoopoe
large bill and legs are bright red. In flight, large white
(Upupa epops)
patches or "mirrors" at the base of the primaries are
visible on the blue and black wings. Sexes are similar, but
juveniles are a duller version of the adult and show streaks
on the throat.
IUCN Status : LC
The hoopoe is a medium-sized bird, 25–32 cm long, with
a 44–48 cm wingspan. It weighs 46–89 g. The species is
highly distinctive, with a long, thin tapering bill that is
black with a fawn base. The hoopoe has broad and
rounded wings capable of strong flight. The hoopoe has a
characteristic undulating flight, which is like that of a
giant butterfly, caused by the wings half closing at the
end of each beat or short sequence of beats.
IUCN Status : LC

Red-whiskered bulbul
(Pycnonotus jocosus)

The red-whiskered bulbul is about 20 centimetres

(7.9 in) in length. It has brown upper-parts and whitish
underparts with buff flanks and a dark spur running onto
the breast at shoulder level. It has a tall pointed black
crest, red face patch and thin black moustachial line. The
tail is long and brown with white terminal feather tips,
but the vent area is red.

IUCN Status : LC
Kalnagini (Chrysopelea ornata)IUCN Status : LC

It is usually green in color, with black cross-hatching and yellow or gold colored accents. The
body, though slender, is far less so than in other tree snakes. It has a flattened head with
constricted neck, a blunt nose and large eyes with round pupils. This snake ranges from 11.5 to
130 cm long. Maturity is reached at about 1 m in length. The tail is about one-fourth of the total
length.
 Common Jezebel (Delias eucharis)
Upperside is white. The forewings have the veins
broadly black, this colour broadened triangularly at
the termination of the veins, costal margin
narrowly black; a broad black postdiscal transverse
band from costa to dorsum sloped obliquely
outwards from costa to vein 4, thence parallel to
termen. On the underside, the forewings are
similar but the black edging to the veins much
broader, the upper two interspaces beyond the
postdiscal transverse band tinged with yellow.
Hindwing: ground colour bright yellow.

Common mormon (Papilio polytes)

The male has one morph only. It is a dark-coloured

swallow-tailed butterfly. The upper forewing has a
series of white spots decreasing in size towards the
apex. The upper hindwing has a complete discal
band of elongated white spots. It may or may not
have marginal red crescents. The males are
generally smaller in size than the females but not
always. The female of the common Mormon is
polymorphic.
Common palmfly
(Elymnias hypermnestra)

Male upperside blackish brown. forewing with a

subterminal series of blue or sometimes slightly green
elongate spots, curving strongly inwards.Underside
pale brown, the basal two-thirds of both forewing and
hindwing densely, the outer third more sparsely
covered with dark ferruginous, somewhat broad,
transverse striae. Antennae, head, thorax and abdomen
brown; abdomen beneath paler.

Common evening brown

(Melanitis leda)

Forewing: apex obtuse and more or less falcate;

termen posterior to falcation straight or sinuous.
Upperside: ground colour similar to that in the wet-
season form.Hindwing: the ocellus in interspace 2
absent.Antennae, head, thorax and abdomen in both
seasonal forms brown or greyish brown.
Common grass yellow
(Eurema hecabe)

Yellow, variable in tint from sulphur to rich lemon

yellow according to locality with a light or heavy rainfall.
Forewing: apex and termen deep black. Hindwing: terminal
margin with a narrow black band which is attenuated
anteriorly and posteriorly; dorsal margin broadly paler than
the ground colour.

Common emigrant 
(Catopsilia pomona)

Common emigrant or lemon emigrant, is

a medium-sized pierid butterfly found
in Asia and parts of Australia. 

The upperside of the male is chalky-white,

sometimes with a more or less broad and clearly
defined basal sulphur-yellow area on both fore
and hind wings; this sulphur-yellow colour is at
times diffused over the whole surface of the
wings, though generally it becomes paler
towards the terminal margins.

On the female upperside the ground-color

varies as in the male, but sometimes it is chalky
white at the bases of the wings, with the terminal
margins more or less broadly sulphur-yellow.
 Day 4 (MONDAY , 05 December , 2016)

 07:20 AM : Quadrate sampling

 09:30 AM : Started our journey from Pakhiralay camp towards Gosaba
 12:30 PM : Reached Gadkhali
 12:40 PM : Started journey in a small bus from Gadkhali towards Kolkata
 04:15 PM : Reached college premises
STUDY OF COMMUNITY STRUCTURE BY QUADRAT
METHOD

INTRODUCTION
Plants growing together have mutual relationships among themselves and with environment. Such a
group of plants in one area forms a stand. Several similar stands represent a community which is a part
of an ecological system in which transformation, accumulation, and flow of energy are involved. The
functioning of this system is intimately related with the components of the community. The
components vary in both quality and quantity and impart structure to the community.

COMMUNITY STRUCTURE: The structure of community can be studied by taking into consideration a
number of characters which are usually groups as analytic and synthetic. Certain analytic characters
such as frequency, density and abundance can be expressed quantitatively while others such as
sociability, vitality, periodicity and stratification find only qualitative expression.

MATERIALS REQUIRED
Pegs, thread, notebook and magnifying glass.

METHODS
 Quadrats have been used extensively in determining the distribution of plant communities but can
also be used with slow moving invertebrates such as those who occur in leaf litter or in intertidal
habitats. Quadrats are sampling units of known area. By sampling we aim to select for study a small
representation of the total population.
 We had constructed a quadrat of 1m x 1m dimensions with subdivisions at intervals of 33.33 cm by
inserting pegs in the ground at equal distances and wounding a string around the pegs.
 Then the type and number of animal & plant in each division was counted and noted down.
 From this information the frequency and distribution of that species in the population as a whole
can be obtained.

OBSERVATIONS
 ARTHROPODA SUB DIVISION
Serial No. TYPES Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q Q8 Q9 TOTAL
7
1. Red ant 02 01 02 03 06 01 04 04 23
2. Black ant 03 01 04 01 03 12
3. Green jumping ant 01 01 02
4. Special black ant 02 01 03
5. Pupal stage of ant 10 04 14
6. Jumping lice 04 02 01 03 01 11
7. Soil spider 01 01 02
8. Garden spider 01 01
9. Black spider 01 01
10. Black beetle 02 01 03
11. Caterpillar 01 01
TOTAL 17 04 10 09 12 05 05 06 05 73

PRECAUTIONS
 The sample units must be distinct and must not overlap each other.
 The number of specimens collected during the study should be minimum.
 If any specimen is removed during the quadrat study, it should be returned to the habitat as soon
as the study is over.
 During quadrat study and collection of the specimen, damage to the habitat should be avoided.
 Fig. Making of Quadrat.

Fig. Sampling of insects in the Quadrat.

 DETERMINATION OF DENSITY , FREQUENCY AND ABUNDANCE OF
SPECIES BY QUADRAT METHOD

INTRODUCTION
After the determination of the community structure by quadrat study quantitative analysis of the
community structure is to be done by this method.

Density, frequency and abundance of a given species in the specified habitat can be determined by this
method.

CALCULATIONS

Total number of individuals of the species

Density (per m2)= Total number of quadrats studied

Total number of individuals of the species

Abundance (per m2)= Total number of quadrats∈which species oc cured

Total number of quadrats∈which species occured

Frequency (%)= Total number of quadrats studied
× 100

TABLE1 : CALCULATION OF DENSITY

Serial No. Arthropod type Density (per m2)

1. Red ant 2.56

2. Black ant 1.33
3. Green jumping ant 0.22
4. Special black ant 0.33
5. Pupal stage of ant 1.55
6. Jumping lice 1.22
7. Soil spider 0.22
8. Garden spider 0.11
9. Black spider 0.11
10. Black beetle 0.33
11. Caterpillar 0.11
TABLE2 : CALCULATION OF ABUNDANCE

Serial No. Arthropod type Abundance (per m2)

1. Red ant 2.875

2. Black ant 2.4
3. Green jumping ant 01
4. Special black ant 1.5
5. Pupal stage of ant 7
6. Jumping lice 2.2
7. Soil spider 01
8. Garden spider 01
9. Black spider 01
10. Black beetle 1.5
11. Caterpillar 01

TABLE3 : CALCULATION OF FREQUENCY

Serial No. Arthropod type Frequency(%)

1. Red ant 88.89
2. Black ant 55.56
3. Green jumping ant 22.22
4. Special black ant 22.22
5. Pupal stage of ant 22.22
6. Jumping lice 55.56
7. Soil spider 22.22
8. Garden spider 11.11
9. Black spider 11.11
10. Black beetle 22.22
11. Caterpillar 11.11

CALCULATION OF SHANNON’S DIVERSITY INDEX

INTRODUCTION

A diversity index is a mathematical measure of species diversity in a community. Diversity indices provide
more information about community composition than simply species richness. Diversity indices are an
important tool for biologists to understand more about the community structure. The Shannon diversity
index is commonly used to characterize species diversity in a community. Shannon’s index accounts for
both abundance and evenness of the species present.

METHODS

The proportion of the species i relative to the total number of species ( Pi) is calculated and then multiplied by the
natural logarithm of this proportion (ln Pi). The resulting product is summed across species and multiplied by -1.

FORMULA H S =|∑ Pi ln Pi|

OBSERAVTION AND CALCULATIONS

TABLE4: CALCULATION OF SHANNON’S DIVERSITY INDEX

i ¿ Pi=¿/∑∋¿ ln Pi Pi ln Pi
Q1 17 0.233 -1.457 -0.339
Q2 04 0.055 -2.900 -0.160
Q3 10 0.137 -1.988 -0.272
Q4 09 0.132 -2.025 -0.267
Q5 12 0.164 -1.808 -0.297
Q6 05 0.068 -2.688 -0.183
Q7 05 0.068 -2.688 -0.183
Q8 06 0.082 -2.501 -0.205
Q9 05 0.068 -2.688 -0.183

∑∋¿73 H S =|∑ Pi ln Pi| = 2.089

 Thus, the Shannon’s Diversity Index

= H S =|∑ Pi ln Pi|

= 2.089

INTERPRETATION

Shannon’s diversity index increases with the increase in species richness and evenness, while, it decreases
as the species richness decreases towards rareness. We can see from our results that the value of
Shannon’s diversity index is 2.089, which is within the range of the typical values of 1.5 and 3.5. Thus, we
can say that in the area considered for the quadrat study, the species richness and evenness of the
community is moderate.

CONCLUSIONS

Different levels of disturbance have different effects on the diversity. Diversity indices provide more
information than simply the number of species present. They account for some species being rare and
others being common. Thus, they serve as valuable tools that enable biologists to quantify diversity in a
community and describe its numerical structure. The advantage of Shannon’s diversity index is that it
provides a simple synthetic summary.
 Pitfall Trapping
A pitfall trap is a trapping pit for small animals, such as insects, amphibians and reptiles. Pitfall
traps are mainly used for ecology studies and ecologic pest control. Animals that enter a pitfall trap are
unable to escape. This is a form of passive collection, as opposed to active collection where the
collector catches each animal (by hand or with a device such as a butterfly net). Active collection may
be difficult or time consuming, especially in habitats where it is hard to see the animals such as thick
grass.

Structure and composition

Pitfall traps come in a variety of sizes and designs. They come in 2 main forms: dry and wet pitfall traps.
Dry pitfall traps consist of a container (tin, jar or drum) buried in the ground with its rim at surface level
used to trap mobile animals that fall into it. Wet pitfall traps are basically the same, but contain a solution
designed to kill and preserve the trapped animals. The fluids that can be used in these traps include
formalin (10% formaldehyde), methylated spirits, alcohol, ethylene glycol, trisodium phosphate, picric acid
or even (with daily checked traps) plain water. A little detergent is usually added to break the surface
tension of the liquid to promote quick drowning. The opening is usually covered by a sloped stone or lid or
some other object. This is done to reduce the amount of rain and debris entering the trap, and to prevent
animals in dry traps from drowning (when it rains) or overheating (during the day) as well as to keep out
predators.

One or more fence-lines of some sort may be added to channel targets into the trap.

Traps may also be baited. Lures or baits of varying specificity can be used to increase the capture rate of a
certain target species or group by placing them in, above or near the trap. Examples of baits include meat,
dung, fruit and pheromones.

Uses

 Collectors and researchers of various ground-dwelling arthropod species may use pitfall traps to

collect the animals they are interested in. This can be done without bait (for example ground
beetles and spiders) or with bait (for example dung beetles).

 When used in series, these traps may also be used to estimate species richness (number of species
present) and abundances (number of individuals), and this combined information may be used to
calculate biodiversity indices (e.g. the Shannon index).
Fig. Placing of pitfall pots in night.

Fig. Collection of pitfall in the morning.

Table 4: Day-wise list of animals trapped in the pitfall.

Day Collected Specimens Number

Day 1 1. Springtail (Order Collembola, Family Isotomidae) 2
2. Short-horned grasshopper (Order Orthoptera, Family 1
Acrididae)
Day 2 1. Large ant (Camponutus sp.) 2
Order Hymenoptera, Family Formicidae
2. Spider 1
3. Branch borer (Order Coleoptera, Family Bostrichidae 1
Day 3 1. Branch borer (Order Coleoptera, Family Bostrichidae) 4
2. Springtail (Order Collembola, Family Isotomidae) 1
3.Nymph stage of Orthopteran (Order Orthoptera) 1
4. Stone fly (Order Placoptera) 1
5. Unidentified Crustacean 1
Fig: Insects trapped in pitfall. a.Springtail ; b.Short horned grasshopper ; c.Stem
borer ; d.Spider ; e.Large ant ; f.Nymph stage of an orthopteran ; g.Stone fly ; h.
Unidentified Crustacean.
 CONCLUSION

The three days amidst the mangroves and its specialized flora and fauna enriched us
with a complete package of messages. The depth of the greenery made us explore
ourselves and reveal the philosopher and nature lover within us. It gave us a good lesson,
how to be a part of a forest ecosystem. We learned how we should prepare ourselves, such
that we could crate least annoyance to the organisms. The hardship and simplicity of the
daily life of the common man put a great example of sustainable living in front of us.
Besides all the hardships the hostility of the local people made us salute their lion hearts.
Above all the characteristic mangrove flora and fauna widened our knowledge and
enriched our skill for a field study in an ecosystem. The great opportunity to witness some
greatest animals like Royal Bengal Tiger, Estuarine Crocodile, Brown-winged Kingfisher, ,
Lesser Adjutant Stork etc. made the tour a grand success. We realized again that only
bookish knowledge is not sufficient to study subjects like Zoology completely.

We visited Eco-cultural museum of Sajnekhali, some important tiger watching camp &
other time spent by watching natural beauty of the amazing Sundarban from our launch.
Camera, Binocular& notebook were our main equipment of observation & documentation.

There were no permission to stay night at river, so it was our limitation to observe
nocturnal fauna. At the limited time of 3 day sum total we picked more than 5000 picture
of natural beauty & wildlife. Our cameras were all time busy to take new shots.

Moreover the tour made the bond stronger amongst our batch mates and with our
honorable teachers without the guidance of whom it might have been turned futile. The
mangroves of Sundarban curved out a permanent place in our hearts and though we
returned after a very short period of three days to have the full essence of Sundarban we
promised, that we shall come back, to know, to explore and to get lost in its irresistible
attraction. The Sundarban is really incredible.
 Acknowledgement
Iwould like to express my deepest appreciation to all those who provided me the
possibility to complete this report.  A special gratitude I give to Dr.(Prof.) Subir Ch.
Dasgupta, Head of the Department, Department of Zoology for lending the permission
for the excursion to be conducted and Mr.. Sujit Kumar Bhowal ,Dr. Rajarshi
Ghosh&Dr. Sanjukta Manna for accompanying and guiding us on this excursion.

Furthermore, I would also like to acknowledge with much appreciation the crucial role
of all other professors of the Department of Zoology, Maulana Azad College, namely, Dr.
Dipak Kumar Som , Dr. Animesh Panigrahi, Dr. Sushanta Roy Karmakar,Ms.
Nabaneeta Ghosh, Dr. Abhishek Mukherjee and Ms. Panchali Sengupta who gave
stimulating suggestions and encouragement, and the permission to use all
required equipment and necessary materials to complete the task that helped me to
coordinate and complete writing my Field report.

Lastly, I would like to thank all my friends for their kind co-operation during the
excursion and also during the preparation of this report.

________________ _______________
________________

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(Signature of student) Date :