Ramnabagan Wildlife Sanctuary, Bardhaman, West Bengal

Ramnabagan Wildlife Sanctuary, Bardhaman, West Bengal

Ramnabagan Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary located in Bardhaman City in the Purba Bardhaman District of West Bengal, India. This forest patch is under the control of Divisional Forest Officer, Burdwan Division who acts as Ex-Officio Director of the Zoo.

History

The area was a natural forest patch flourished during the feudal reign of Rajas and Maharajas of Bardhaman Taluk. After the promulgation of Estate Acquisition act, it was handed over to the Forest Department of West Bengal for management. The area had been declared as reserved forest on 07 June 1960. The area had been converted to a deer park in 1978 with the introduction of six spotted deer. Subsequently, the whole area of 14.31 hectares has been declared as wildlife sanctuary on 30 September 1980. A mini-zoo was approved by Central Zoo Authority within the wildlife sanctuary in 2006. This zoo has been renamed as Bardhaman Zoological Park and it has been recognized as a Small Category Zoo.

The Wildlife Sanctuary

The sanctuary covers an area of about 14.31 hectares. A mini zoo is also located within the sanctuary premises. There is a nature interpretation centre situated inside the sanctuary premises. The sanctuary comprises of sal (Shorea robusta), teak (Tectona grandis), kadbels (Limonia acidissima), dumur (Ficus racemosa), and jam (Syzygium trees. The animals found in the sanctuary are spotted deer and common langur.

Some of the mammals kept in captivity in the zoo are leopard, sloth bear, porcupine, blackbuck, mongoose, barking deer, sambar deer, common langur, rhesus macaque, etc. Some of the reptiles kept in captivity in the zoo are saltwater crocodile, box turtle, star turtle and snakes. Some of the birds kept in captivity in the zoo are peafowl, rosy pelican, adjutant stork, red jungle fowl, golden pheasant, silver pheasant, parakeet, cuckoo, dove, owl, and emu.

Contact

Zoo Bardhaman Zoological Park,

Ramnabagan P.O. Rajbati,

Purba Bardhaman District – 713 104

West Bengal, India

Phone: +91 342 265 7172

Fax: +91 342 265 9507

Email: dfobdn@yahoo.co.in

Connectivity

The sanctuary is located at about 2.5 Kms from Bardhaman Junction Railway Station, 3.5 Kms from Bardhaman Bus Stand, 66 Kms from Durgapur, 81 Kms from Durgapur Airport, 110 Kms from Kolkata Airport and 120 Kms from Kolkata. The sanctuary is situated at about 3.5 Kms to the west of Bardhaman Bus Stand on the Kolkata to Durgapur route (Durgapur Expressway). It is well connected with G.T Road by Sukumar Sen Road that meets G.T Road at Golapbag crossing. There is a good network of approach roads all along the periphery of the zoo. Burdwan is well connected with all the major junctions of Eastern Railway. Local trains ply between Howrah and Burdwan at regular intervals. One can also avail buses which run frequently from all the major bus terminals at Kolkata.

Location 

Rasikbil Bird Sanctuary, West Bengal

Rasikbil Bird Sanctuary, West Bengal

Rasikbil Bird Sanctuary is a bird sanctuary located in Tufanganj subdivision in Cooch Behar District of West Bengal, India. Rasikbil is a small lake situated at the foothill of Sintura Hill of the Himalayas. It is a large natural wetland of North Bengal. The sanctuary is situated on the bank of Raydak River.

History

The sanctuary was established in in 1997. The sanctuary lies in the Cooch Behar Social Forestry Division.

The Bird Sanctuary

The sanctuary covers an area of about 175 hectares. The sanctuary is situated around a large oxbow lake. The lake is surrounded by low water land or marshland, which provides appropriate dwelling atmosphere for birds. Rasikbil is one of the five such low water lands in the area, others being Neeldaba, Bochamari, Shankhadanga and Raichangmari.

The birds found in the sanctuary are lesser whistling duck, Eurasian teal, ferruginous duck, red-crested pochard, northern shoveler, northern pintail, Eurasian wigeon, grey-headed lapwing, northern lapwing, pied kingfisher, stork-billed kingfisher, common kingfisher, little cormorant, great cormorant, and gadwall.

This lake attracts a lot of birds which make nests in the trees around the lake. There is a deer park and a crocodile rehabilitation center by the side of the lake. There is also a leopard house, python house, aviary, and tortoise rescue centre. There is a watch tower of about 70 feet high in the sanctuary for bird watching. The best time to visit this sanctuary is from September to March.

Connectivity

The sanctuary is located at about 8 Kms from Kamakhyaguri, 9 Kms from Kamakhyaguri Railway Station, 15 Kms from Tufanganj, 28 Kms from Alipurduar, 35 Kms from Gossaigaon, 43 Kms from Cooch Behar, and 191 Kms from Bagdogra Airport. The sanctuary is situated at about 8 Kms to the south of Kamakhyaguri on the Alipurduar to Gossaigaon route.

Location

Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary, West Bengal

Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary, West Bengal

Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary located in the South 24 Parganas of West Bengal, India. It is situated at the confluence of Matla and Gumdi Rivers in the northern part of the Sundarbans delta. This sanctuary serves as the gateway to the renowned Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest tidal halophytic mangrove forests in the world.

History

The sanctuary was established in 1976 and is considered a part of the Sundarbans ecosystem.

The Wildlife Sanctuary

The sanctuary covers an area of about 362 km2. It is located at the confluence of the Matla and Gumdi Rivers and is situated in the northern part of the Sundarbans delta. There is a watchtower in the sanctuary for observing wild animals. The sanctuary comprises of mainly mangrove scrub, forest, and swamp. The mammals found in the sanctuary are tiger, spotted deer, rhesus, macaque, wild boar, fishing cat, and otter. The reptiles found in the sanctuary are crocodile, water monitor lizard, Batagur terrapin and olive ridley turtle.

The birds found in the sanctuary are spotted billed pelican, cotton teal, herring gull, Caspian tern, grey heron, large egret, night heron, open-billed stork, white ibis, common kingfisher, brahminy kite, paradise flycatcher, osprey, Pallass fish eagle, white-bellied sea eagle, grey-headed fishing eagle, peregrine falcon, Oriental hobby, northern eagle owl, and brown fish owl. The sanctuary is also important for waders, including the Asian dowitcher, a rare winter migrant.

Connectivity

The sanctuary is located at about 11 Kms from Gosaba, 18 Kms from Gadkhali, 24 Kms from Basanti, 26 Kms from Sonakhali, 42 Kms from Canning Railway Station, 103 Kms from Kolkata and 103 Kms from Kolkata Airport. Ferry service towards Sajnekhali is available from Gosaba. Rented boat or motor launch can be hired from Basanti, Gadkhali and Sonakhali to reach Sajnekhali. Basanti, Gadkhali and Sonakhali are well connected to Kolkata by road.

Location

Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary, Darjeeling, West Bengal

Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary, Darjeeling, West Bengal

Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary located in the Darjeeling District of West Bengal, India. It is one of the oldest wildlife sanctuaries of India. This sanctuary is the south east extension of Singalila National Park. The sanctuary was established as a game reserve in 1915 and was declared as wildlife sanctuary on 24 June 1976.

The Wildlife Sanctuary

The sanctuary comprises of both man-made and natural forests. It covers an area of about 38.6 km2. The elevation of the Sanctuary ranges from 1,500 to 2,600 m (4,900 to 8,500 ft). Although access to the sanctuary is restricted, one can take special permission from the ranger's office at Jore Bunglow and take a guide to go around the area. There are tourist lodges and the Rambi Forest Rest House inside the sanctuary. The sanctuary and access to the lake is closed during the monsoon time and reopens after September 15th. There is a 20 Kms stretch cycle trail passing through thick pine forest in the sanctuary. Cyclists are not allowed to carry snacks with them inside the forest. This track will be strictly closed for cars and motorbikes.

Flora:

The sanctuary is a perfect combination of both man-made and natural forests. Oak occupy the top canopy between 2000 m to 2400 m. Other prominent flora found in the area are Kapasi (Acer Campbellii), Katus (Castanopsis indica), Kawla (Smithia conferta), and Champ (Magnolia champaca). Mating bamboo and several varieties of ferns comprise the undergrowth. Rhododendrons are found above 2400 m. Sub-tropical flora is found between 1,500m to 2,000m.

Some of the trees found in the area are Katus (Castanopsis indica), Meliosma wallichii, Wild Avacado (Machilus edulis), Pipli (Symingtonia populnea), Nepalese alder (Alnus nepalensis), and Jangali aru (Prunus nepaulensis). Scattered plantations of Hemlock (Tsuga brunoniana) and plantations of Dhupi (Cryptomeria japonica) also occur. There are over 350 types of flowering plants in this area including Rhododendrons and Orchids.

Fauna:

The mammals found in the sanctuary are Himalayan black bear, leopard, barking deer, wild pig, wild dog, Himalayan jackal, jungle cat, leopard cat, common rhesus monkey, Assam macaque, Himalayan flying squirrel, scaly ant eater, Indian civet, goral, yellow-throated marten and Himalayan serow. The birds found in the sanctuary are Satyr tragopan, yellow naped wood-pecker, Tickel's golden back wood pecker, emerald cuckoo, black-backed khaleej pheasant, red jungle fowl, hornbill, imperial pigeon, green, pigeon, thrush, babbler, and sunbird.

Senchal Lake:

Senchal lake is a part of the Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary. It is the main reservoir of potable water for the town of Darjeeling, India. The water body is actually a twin lake namely North Senchal lake, built in 1910 and South Senchal lake, built in 1932. The lake is located at an altitude of 8,160 ft (2,487 m) atop a hill. The hill also has one of the highest golf courses in the world. Senchal is a favourite picnic spot. A tourist lodge at Senchal provides accommodation to tourists. One can reach Senchal lake from two points, Ghoom and Jore Bunglow. Taxis and shared jeeps are available from both places to Senchal lake. 

Connectivity

The sanctuary is located at about 8 Kms from Darjeeling, 9 Kms from Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Station, 10 Kms from Darjeeling Bus Stand, 26 Kms from Kurseong, 58 Kms from Siliguri, 60 Kms from Siliguri Junction Railway Station, and 66 Kms from Bagdogra Airport. The sanctuary is situated on the Darjeeling to Siliguri route.

Location

Bibhutibhusan Wildlife Sanctuary, Parmadan, West Bengal

Bibhutibhusan Wildlife Sanctuary, Parmadan, West Bengal

Bibhutibhusan Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary located in Parmadan village in Bagda subdivision of North 24 Parganas District in the Indian state of West Bengal. This sanctuary is formerly called as Parmadan Forest. The sanctuary is situated on the banks of Ichamati River.

History

The sanctuary began in 1964 when 14 chital were released in the forests of Parmadan. The sanctuary was established in 1980 and was named as Parmadan Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary was renamed into Bibhutibhusan Wildlife Sanctuary in 1995 to honour the famous Bengali author, Bibhutibhusan Bandyopadhyay.

The Wildlife Sanctuary

The sanctuary covers an area of about 92 hectares and is situated on the banks of the Ichamati River. The trees found in the sanctuary are Shishu, Shimul, Tut, Arjun, Minjiri, Shishir, Bamboo etc. The sanctuary is home to around 400 deers and 200 langurs. Some of the other animals found in the sanctuary are Rabbits, Tortoises, Mongooses etc. The birds found in the sanctuary are Indian Roller, Paradise Flycatcher, Crested Serpent Eagle, Great Tit, Plum-headed parakeet, Blue Jay, Brahminy Kite, Peacocks, Woodpeckers, etc.

Several migratory birds also visit this sanctuary during the winter season. The best time to watch the animals are during their feeding time. Presently, their feeding time is at 4:00 pm and 9:00 am. The forest can be visited throughout the year, but it is better to avoid the forest during the rainy season. There is a children's park, a small zoo, and tourist bungalow in this sanctuary. Also, the house of the famous Bengali writer Bibhutibhusan Bandyopadhyay, after whom the sanctuary was named is located nearby. Tourists can also go for a boat ride on the Ichamati River.

Contact

Divisional Forest Officer,

Champadali Divisional Forest Office

Barasat, North 24 Parganas District

West Bengal, India

Phone: +91 33 2552 0968

Connectivity

The sanctuary is located at about 4 Kms from Naldugri, 10 Kms from Duttapulia, 15 Kms from Helencha, 25 Kms from to Bangaon, 27 Kms from Bangaon Junction Railway Station, 84 Kms from Kolkata Airport and 96 Kms from Kolkata. Regular CSTC buses are available from Esplanade (in Kolkata) to Naldugri. Naldugri is situated on bus route 92 (Bangaon-Helencha-Duttapulia Route). Local trains are available from Sealdah Railway Station (in Kolkata) to Bangaon.

Location