Mayurjharna Elephant Reserve is the only elephant reserve in Eastern India. The reserve is situated on the border Paschim Medinipur and Bankura in West Bengal, India. The area of this elephant reserve is 414.06 square km. and the nearby 1436 square kilometres of land is known as the ‘Zone of Influence’. The elephant population in this elephant reserve is 118. This area is declared as Elephant Reserve on 24th October, 2002. This area is very close to Dalma Elephant Sanctuary under Jharkhand State.
Category: West Bengal
Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary
Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary is in the Darjeeling in West Bengal. It is one of the oldest wildlife sanctuaries of India. It was set up as a sanctuary in 1915. This sanctuary covers an area of 38.6 square km. Altitude of Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary varies from 4900 ft to 8,500 ft. Two lakes situated inside the sanctuary supply drinking water Darjeeling district. This is a popular picnic spot too. Continue reading
Exploring the Serene Sajnakhali Wildlife Sanctuary: A Nature Lover’s Paradise
Sajnakhali Wildlife Sanctuary is in South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, India. This sanctuary covers approx 362 square kms. Sajnakhali Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the three Wildlife Sanctuaries inside Sundarban Biosphere Reserve, the other two being the Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary and the Lothian Wildlife Sanctuary. It was set up as a sanctuary in 1976. The Sajnakhali Wildlife Sanctuary is home of rich population of water fowl, heron, pelican, spotted deer, rhesus macaques, wild boar, tigers, water monitor lizards, fishing cats, olive ridley turtle, crocodiles, Batagur terrapins, and migratory birds. This sanctuary is essentially a bird watcher’s paradise.
How to reach Sajnakhali
Boats are available for excursions, day tour and overnight tours – you need a guide and boat permits. Boats are available from various places.
Time to visit
The best time to visit this is from July to September.
Attractions in Sajnakhali
The visitor’s centre has a crocodile enclosure, shark pond, turtle hatchery and an interesting Mangrove Interpretation Centre.
Accommodation in Sajjakhali
There is accommodation available at Sajnekhali. There are forest rest houses and forest lodges here, that have to be booked in advance online though https://www.wbtdcl.com/. Other than this, there are so many private staying options are available into this island or near by island.
Ramnabagan Wildlife Sanctuary
Ramnabagan Wildlife Sanctuary is in Burdwan district in West Bengal. Ramnabagan Mini Zoo in the Ramnabagan Wildlife Sanctuary spread over an area of 14.31 hectares.
This Wildlife Sanctuary was declared as reserved forest in 1960.
In 1978, this Sanctuary had been started as a deer park with six spotted deer and later it was declared as a wildlife sanctuary. Continue reading
Chintamoni Kar Bird Sanctuary
Chintamoni Kar Bird Sanctuary is situated at Kolkata near Narendrapur Ramkrishna Mission. This is also known as Kayaler Bagan. This is place is also good for Butterfly & Insect watching. Those people are like to do macro photography, they will get a heaven for sure. This site was recognized as a sanctuary in the year 1982 and renamed as Narendrapur Wildlife Sanctuary on September 8, 2004. However, since 2005, the sanctuary was finally named as Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary.
Visiting hours
Sanctuary hours: 7:00 am to 4:00 pm
Admission Fees: Rs. 50 per head
Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary
Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary is located in between the Teesta and Mahananda rivers. This Sanctuary is situated in Darjeeling district of West Bengal. Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary can reached from NJP in 30 minutes. Sukna, the gateway to the sanctuary, is only 14 km from Siliguri , 8kms from Siliguri and 28 km from Bagdogra airport.
This sanctuary covers over 159 squer kms. In 1959, it got the status of a sanctuary to protect the bison and Royal Bengal Tiger. It is considered as the most important sanctuary of North Bengal.
Lothian Island Wildlife Sanctuary
Lothian Island Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in south 24 parganas in West Bengal, close to G-Plot island. This island is famous as bird sanctuary for variety of bird species found here, including black-cpped kingfisher, curlew, white-bellied sea-eagle, tern and whimbrel. The wildlife in this sanctuary includes estuarine crocodiles, olive ridley sea turtles, spotted deer, jungle cats and rhesus macaques. Lothian Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the three Wildlife Sanctuaries inside Sundarban Biosphere Reserve, the other two being the Sajnekhali Wild Life Sanctuary and the Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary. This Wildlife Sanctuary is speard over an area of 38 sq kms on the island and surrounded by River Saptamukhi.
Nearest town is Namkhana, Gosaba is 50 km away.
Nearest rail station is Namkhana, Canning is 48 km away.
Nearest popular picnic spot is New Bakkhali.
Sutan Lake: Discovering Tranquility in Bankura, West Bengal
Sutan is a forest region in Bankura, West Bengal which is an equally famous picnic spot and weekend holiday destination. Only 60 kilometers from Bankura town, the forest of Sutan is covered with Mahua, Palash, Piyal and Sal trees. Sutan Lake amidst the forest is the major attraction for tourists. The area is inhabited by the Munda, Bhumijra and Santhal tribes and it is quite interesting to know their lifestyle. An added advantage of visiting this area is the facility of boat ride on the lake while admiring nature’s beauty. There is a watchtower in the area to witness the activities of wild animals inhabiting the Dalma Pahar. Rimli Tourist Lodge and Trekker’s Hut are the accommodation facilities for visitors.
Nearby Places
Bishnupur is Located about 32 kilometers
Susunia Hills is situated around 40 kilometers
Mukutmanipur is located approximately 70 kilometers
Jore Pokhri Wildlife Sanctuary
Jore Pokhri Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the way to Sandakphu in Darjeeling District in West Bengal. It is the habitat of some high-altitude animals like Himalayan Salamander (Tylototriton verrucosus), locally known as ‘Gora’. It also houses many other local animals such as the rhino, tiger, and many different birds.
Best time to visit
Best time to visit Jore Pokhri Wildlife Sanctuary is June to August.
Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary: Exploring the Beauty of West Bengal’s Nature
Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary is also known as Haliday Wildlife Sanctuary. This is one of the three Wildlife Sanctuaries of the Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve, the other two being the Sajnekhali Wild Life Sanctuary and the Lothian Wildlife Sanctuary. It is located in south 24th parganas in West Bengal. The area is approximately six square kilometers.
Situated on the river Matla, many different types of flora and fauna exist within the wildlife sanctuary. Examples include spotted deer and wild boar. Royal Bengal tigers have occasionally visited the area as well.
How to reach
Nearest town is Gosaba, 50 km away. Nearest railhead is at Canning(48 km). Canning is well connected to Kolkata, by train.