FOREST TOUR

1. Mukutmanipur

Mukutmanipur is well known for its high diversity of waterbirds as well as grassland birds but there is a small zone where you can watch deer. The area is fenced and home of above than hundred chital deer. The area is so diverse that Government announced this as a Conservation Reserve. Whenever you go, come back within 6.30 pm. There are Boat issues after 6.30pm. The whole nature is overwhelming during the morning and evening time. In terms of solely Birds, Mukutmanipur is number one. More than five thousand winter migrants visit this huge waterbody each year. They generally arrives in late november and stays till almost last week of February. The winter migrants include large flock of Lesser Whistling teal, Red-crested Pochard, Gadwall, Common Coot, different Terns, Swallow, Wagtails etc. You may also see Darter, Spot-billed Duck, Grebes and the main attraction – Rufous tailed Lark. Recently many types of Buntings also found from Mukutmanipur.

2. Ranibandh-Sutan’s Twelve Mile Forest

Here comes solitude. The vast, over 50 square km forest will give you pure silence. For raw nature with Wildlife just put your shoe outside the main black top roads. There are many off roads which can be accessed by motorcycle and even cars. Just get into any of them and if you are lucky you may see a peacock dancing beween the red rocky road.
Here nature hides everything. You have to wait and this vast undulating diverse forest slowly unfold itself. You may encounter a Indian wolf or a deer or suddenly found a big field of “Babui” grass between a dense forest. You can freely walk through the forest without any fear, because the whole area is out of elephant migration route and for this the “Mayurjharna Elephant Reserve” is a dead project now a days. Roam freely, watch lots of wild flowers along with Palash, orchids, feel the wing beats of Malkoha, Pitta and share your rare findings with us.

3. Susunia

Susunia stays in the top because of its wildlife availability. Even a new nature lover can see various types of Birds, Butterflies and other small fauna and quite a significant number of flora. The main attraction in wildlife include Rock Agama, different Owls, Thrushes, Indian Pitta, Paradise Flycatcher, different Bee-Eaters, Black Eagle, Munias etc. The rocky sal forest and grasses are home of different small mammals also. If you want to see a lot of wildlife in a short time, Susunia will not disappoint you.

4. Kadamdeuli

This is a small dam on Silabati river. This small place is well known in Bird lovers community because of its unpredictable winter bird diversity. We don’t elaborate it, you have to come to watch its feathered wonders. The area fell on the way to Mukutmanipur from Bankura.

5. Joypur Forest

In terms of Wildlife availability, solitude and diversity it is the best wildlife area in entire west part of West Bengal, but in our list it came in number five because of the huge presence of resident and migratory elephants. If you want to visit nature and do wildlife photography, please go to forest department first or call them for elephant location then arrange your trip. Don’t walk through the jungle. Even from car you may watch a flock of deers are crossing road, Herds of elephants are going slowly or rare Black Francolin or Crested Bunting is calling. Enjoy the dense sal forest, contact locals, be safe. All these words are for solely wildlife lovers not for normal tourists. We can’t tell a normal tourist that you can see lots of deer crossing roads.

6. Gangdua

This is small dam on Sali river. Small but beautiful with backdrop of susunia. If you want to remember a sunset till death, we recommend this place with sunken boat in foreground and red sun with Susunia hill in the background. The area also possess significant wildlife with lots of weaver, swallow, pipit, wagtails, ibis etc. After sunset you can watch and hear the Nightjars.

7. Biharinath

This is the Araku valley of West Bengal, according to us the forgotten isolated tourist destination waiting for you to explore. Recently Spurfowl is found from this dense forests. There is a narrow trail through the Hills. We recommend to follow the trail in the main Biharinath hill and freely roam through the surrounding small hills. Here Common Babbler is seriously common. There are various rare Butterfly life Nawab, Rajah etc and predator life wolf, Hayena etc. Don’t visit in peak summer. This is perfect two day one night stand for a nature enthusiast. We recommend to visit in winter or in post-monsoon.
Oh, almost forgot to tell, search for painted grasshoppers, there are many beside the main pond.