Eco-Tourism- A Birding Destination

DAKSHIN DINAJPUR IS A PARADISE FOR BIRD LOVERS AND NATURE LOVERS. IT IS A COMPLETE BIRDING DESTINATION WITH LARGE VARIETY OF BOTH RESIDENT AND MIGRATORY BIRDS. 

DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF BIRDS AT BHALUKA, ANGINA, MAHIPALDIGHI
(Photography and post by Suman Ghosh)

INDIAN PITTA

      GREATER COUCAL    

ASIAN OPEN BILL STORK

RED COLLARD DOVE

LESSER WHISTLING DUCK

GREATER RACKET TAILED DRONGO

GREAT CORMORANT

LONG TAILED SHRIKE

SHIKRA (ACCIPITER BADIUS)

RED WATTLED LAPWING (VANELLUS INDICUS)

ORIENTAL WHITE IBIS (THRESKIORNIS MELANOCEPHALUS)

CATTLE EGRET

COMMON KINGFISHER (ALCEDO ATTHIS )

SPANGLED DRONGO

GREY LAG GOOSE

LITTLE GREEN BEE EATER

GREY BACKED SHRIKE

ZITTING CISTICOLA

VERDITER FLYCATCHER

TAPAN DIGHI

The big lake of Tapan namely Tapan Dighi is situated in the village of Tapan at a distance of 35 km from Balurghat. Behind the naming of this lake, there is a myth that king Laxman Sen dug this lake with a view to offering Tarpana for his ancestors. The lake is about 2 km in length and 1 km in breadth. On the northern bank of this lake, one dilapidated mound dating back to the period of Budhha can be seen. Every year thousands of winter migratory birds gather in Tapan lake.

SARONGBARI PICNIC SPOT

Sarongbari is situated at Teor at a distance of about 15 kms from Balurghat and about 11 kms from Hili. It is a fascinating picnic spot developed on about 14 acres of land. It presents a cheerful environment for nature lovers. It offers boating facility for the visitors. There is an alluring park for the children with all modern amenities to play with. The scenic beauty of this forest-island surrounded by a lake attracts tourists from different parts. Today Sarongbari is an amazing location for picnics and get-togethers. Huge rushes are seen during the picnic season mainly in winter.

DOGACHI FOREST

This attractive picnic spot is located at about 5 km away from Balurghat. It is one of the most beautiful picnic spot of Dakshin Dinajpur. The kashiya creek runs through this forest. There is an island in the forest. An idea of setting up a deer park inside the forest is going to be materialized in the near future. Various types of migratory birds are seen in this forest.

THE GREAT BANYAN TREE OF DAHAGHAT

THE GREAT BANIYAN TREE OF DAHAGHAT, located at Dahaghat village in Chingispur Anchal in Hili Block is spread over 4 acres of land. It is estimated to be more than 200 years old. The tree is standing without its main trunk. It has several aerial roots. Each aerial root individually forms a trunk. It hosts many types of birds. Immediate attention and conservation is required to save the pride . It must be carefully nurtured. It has the potential to attract large number of tourists.

KAL DIGHI 

Kal Dighi is situated at Rajibpur just 3 km away from Gangarampur. It is a big waterbody of about 85 acres. The total area of the campus of Kal Dighi is about 4.4 square km. Though no      one knows when it was actually dug but there is a mythological tale behind the naming of this waterbody. According to the mythological tale, King Bana of Bangarh had two wives. One was dark and the other was fair in complexion. He dug two large water bodies and named them after their wives as Kaldighi and Dhal Dighi. Today Kal dighi has become a great tourist spot. Different varieties of water birds like lesser whistling ducks, moorhen, water hen, grey lag goose, bronze winged jacana, pheasant tailed jacana etc.are found  round the year. Moreover there is a beautiful park for the children with modern amenities inside the campus. To an added advantage for the tourists there is a beautiful tourist lodge inside the campus which can be booked in advance. 

                                                                 MATASH 
 Matash, a large waterbody situated in Hilli block near Indo-Bangladesh border under Jamalpur village panchayet is hosting large number of migratory birds every year. The history of Matash dates back some 150 years when The Raja of Dinajpur, Jagadish Chandra Roy Bahadur ordered the excavation of a seven acre plot to provide a source of water to his subjects. Every year large number of tourists and bird lovers visit the area.