Orange-headed Thrush
Chintamani
Kar Bird Sanctuary is little know protected area famed for
its wide variety of
birds,
butterflies, epiphytes, ferns and orchids. Located in close
proximity to the bustling metropolis of Kolkata,
this small (17 acre) sanctuary is a short drive to the
south of the city. Locally known as 'Kayaler Bagan', the area
was originally notified as a sanctuary in 1982 but
could only be converted to one after the acquisition of land by the Govt.
of West Bengal at a significant cost in October 2005. It was later renamed as
Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary after the noted artist
Chintamoni Kar who, along with local people and NGO's,
fought for decades to obtain wildlife sanctuary status for 'Kayaler Bagan'.
The sanctuary used to be an old abandoned orchard
and the area surrounding it is a mix of orchards, bamboo
brakes, waterbodies and wasteland. The orchard
originally covered 27 acres but had shrunk to 17 acres by the time it was
acquired. Enormous mango trees dominate the landscape of the
sanctuary and are interspersed with jackfruit, coconut
palm, tamarind, guava,
ficus and others trees. A new bamboo plantation has been started to attract
dependent species.
Grey Mongoose
Many
forest species are commonly found in the area,
and include Black-naped Monarch, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Common Hawk Cuckoo,
Orange-breasted Green Pigeon, Emerald Dove, Streak-throated Woodpecker,
Orange-headed Thrush, White-throated Fantail, Crested Serpent Eagle,
Large-tailed Nightjar, Ashy Woodswallow, Lineated Barbet and Greater Flameback.
Rarities include Tickell’s Thrush, Greater
Racket-tailed Drongo, Slaty-legged Crake, Eurasian Woodcock, Scarlet-backed
Flowerpecker, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Scaly Thrush, Eyebrowed Thrush, Little
Spiderhunter and Blue-throated Flycatcher. The recently rediscovered
Large-billed Reed Warbler was found at the edges of the Sanctuary. In addition,
the sanctuary also hosts some small wildlife - namely jungle cat, civet cat,
monitor lizard, jackal and others.
How to reach
Chintamani Kar WLS is located in South 24-Parganas district of West Bengal to
the west of Netaji Subhas Road connecting Garia with Baruipur in the Rajpur area
in southern Kolkata. Locally known as 'Kayaler Bagan', the sanctuary is close to
Ramkrishna Mission Institute, Narendrapur. The entrance is a short walk
(150 meters) from the Rathtala bus stop. If you are driving to the sanctuary,
the best route to take is the EM Bypass. The distance from Ruby General Hospital
is about 10km. Buses and auto-rickshaws are also available from Garia. Private
bus's on route 80, 80A & 80B and Mini Bus# 113 stop at Rathtala.
Latitude: 22°25'45"N;
Longitude: 88°24'4"E
Sanctuary
hours
Open 0700 hrs -1600 hrs.
Tickets (Rs. 15/- for adults) are obtained at the office
inside the sanctuary.
Climate
Sunny and humid. High rainfall in the monsoons.
Summer ( April - Sept) temperatures : Hi: 37 C / Lo : 28 C
Winter ( Nov - Feb ) temperatures : Hi: 30 C / Lo : 13 C
Birding Season
Spring and winter
Links
Forest Department site
Copyright 2002 - 2009 Sumit K Sen
December 2009, Kolkata
