If you love nature like me & you live in the middle of Claustrophobic city Kolkata you will love to spend your weekend amidst of a forest and that is also in the middle of our Kolkata.
Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary is well known destination among the birders of the city but this is a very interesting place for all nature lovers. The place is famous for it's flora & fauna. In fact getting my first DSLR on 2016, this was my first destination to see wildlife. This place keeps giving me surprises till today. Even last week ( today is 15/03/2022) I visited this place. This can be your perfect one day destination.
History of The Bird Sanctuary -
it was originally a large mango garden with huge mango trees. even today main tress of this place are mango trees. It was called "kayaler bagan". Chintamani Kar (19 April 1915 – 3 October 2005), a renowned Indian sculptor who received civilian awards from the Indian and French governments and won an Olympic silver medal on behalf of Great Britain, had fought for many years relentlessly to give the "kayaler bagan" status for the sanctuary. It was given sanctuary status in 1982. On 8 September 2004 it was named Narendrapur Wildlife Sanctuary, and on 21 October 2005 it was renamed Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary, in honor of celebrated sculptor Chintamani Kar.
How to Reach ?
If you go by train -
Go to Sealdah Station & take train upto Garia Bazar from South Junction. Get down at Garia Bazar & take Auto from there upto Rathtala More. It is towards Narendrapur. From Rathtala more, there is a right lane towards the bird sanctuary.
If you go by metro -
Go to Kavi Najrul Metro Station for Garia Bazar area. Get down & take Auto from there upto Rathtala More. It is towards Narendrapur. From Rathtala more, there is a right lane towards the bird sanctuary.
If you go by car -
You need to drive through E. M Bypass Kolkata, cross Rubi & go straight. Cross "Dhalai Bridge". Drive straight towards Baruipur. After you cross a few Marble workshops there will be a left lane. Before that left lane you will see the compound of the bird sanctuary & it's wall with paintings of birds. take that left turn towards the bird sanctuary.
Inside Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary there are so many trails you can explore. You can go out of the tracks to find something special. Although This place is best to visit in the summer for bird watching , you can go throughout the year. During the summer birds come for water outside water places constructed specifically for this purpose. Seat & relax & photograph many different species. I have seen many beautiful just by sitting near the water. Just like these birds I got near the water..
Feeling bored ? let's explore the trails & feel the canopies of the forest. Some of them Can feel like natural caves too trust me. If you don't do birding then you can surely do landscape & forest photography.
Don't worry, in this forest your mobile network will perfectly but keep your phone silent please.
Keep keen eyes while walking through the trails you Can spot different species here too. just like this owl I found resting on a big tree brunch..
I also found a few species while exploring the trails like Indian Hawk Cuckoo , whiskered Bulbul, Indian Pitta etc. Oh ! keep a watch for cobwebs too.
Few things to Remember -
1. Timing of the Place changes depending upon the Season . Currently in Summer the timing is from 6am to 5pm & in Winter 7am to 4pm but it keeps fluctuating & they don't update on the internet properly. You can contact me directly so that I can ask about timing from reliable sources.
2. Current entry fee is INR 120 per person
3. Keep water & dry foods with you . there are a few tea shops out of the bird sanctuary currently.
4. wear proper shoes , boots recommended as this place is full of snakes.
5. take mosquito repellant creams.
6. Keep Patience.
Just beside the Bird Sanctuary a Museum is opened now to showcase master works of the great Chintamani Kar. you must visit at least once. this place is completely free.
Some random clicks from the museum.
You may also like to read: salim ali bird sanctuary
Now you can go to Shyamkhola for Further Birding
How to Reach ?
From Rathtala more go to Kalitala More by Auto. From Kalitala More take a Auto Upto Dingelpota. A left lane heads towards the village take that lane. Ask locals about the Bamboo garden for birding. Here you can different flycatchers, owls , Nightjars, Jungle Cat etc & many more.
Few things to Remember -
1. It is inside a village. respect the locals
2. totally free place
3. Keep water & dry foods with you . You need to walk for 15mins to get at nearest tea shop.
4. wear proper shoes , boots recommended as this place is full of snakes.
5. take mosquito repellant creams.
6. Keep Patience. this place is not as organized as Chintamani Kar bird Sanctuary. If you are not into bird photography then this place might not be for you.
IF you want to know more about my future birding trips & photo walks , you can contact me directly through Tripoto, or WhatsApp me on - 8335070470.
You can send me an email too at - ambition.education2020@gmail.com
it is time to take some rest. keep following me for more future posts regarding exploring the unexplored
