Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary (Bengali: রায়গঞ্জ বন্যপ্রাণী অভয়ারণ্য Raegônj Bonnoprani Ôbhôearonno) (also popularly known as Kulik Bird Sanctuary) is situated near Raiganj in Uttar Dinajpur district in the Indian state of West Bengal. The bird sanctuary is home to 164 species of birds, and some 70,000 to 80,000 migratory birds visit the sanctuary every year.
The development of the area began in 1970, as part of the social forestry programme of the Government of West Bengal. The department planted tree species like kadam, jarul, sisoo (Dalbergia sisoo) and eucalyptus which were classified as tropical dry deciduous forest. With the Asian openbill and other species of migratory birds flocking to the artificial forest during the hatching season, it was officially designated as the "Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary" in the year 1985. It is popularly known as Kulik Bird Sanctuary because the river Kulik flows beside the sanctuary.
Source:https://en.wikipedia.org
Location
It is located 4 km (2.5 mi) north from the centre of Raiganj town, the district headquarters. NH 34 runs beside the sanctuary. Raiganj is 425 km (264 mi) from Kolkata and 181 km (112 mi) from Siliguri.
Forest
The area in this district under Forest is 1483.75 Acre. The forest type is mainly Northern tropical Most Mixed Deciduous Forests. The distribution of forests is very erratic and mostly spread in small pockets. There are some pockets of natural forests of 282.11 acre and comprises of coppice sal except a small patch in Rajabhum mouza in Chopra block which appears to be of seed/seedlings origins
History
The development of the area began in 1970, as part of the social forestry programme of the Government of West Bengal. The department planted tree species like kadam, jarul, sisoo (Dalbergia sisoo) and eucalyptus which were classified as tropical dry deciduous forest. With the Asian openbill and other species of migratory birds flocking to the artificial forest during the hatching season, it was officially designated as the "Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary" in the year 1985. It is popularly known as Kulik Bird Sanctuary because the river Kulik flows beside the sanctuary.
Other Tourist Spots in Uttar Dinajpur
- Sap nikla forest under Chopra block is 22 km from Islampur and tourists visit the lake and the forest for site seeing. Development of an Eco park is underway.
- Eco Tourism at Bijolia More is being developed. Here river Sudhani forms an island by dividing into 2 branches and joining again.
- Temple of Goddess Bhairabi at Bindole. Temple of Goddess Bhairabi at Bindole
- Mosque of Burhana fakirs. Mosque of Burhana fakirs
- Temple of Goddess Kali of Baira.
- Kunore-famous for terracotta pottery & Malgaon.
- Museum at Karnajora.
- Park at Karnajora.
- Banabithi Resort at Barui, Barduari.
- Farm-House at Samaspur, Hemtabad
Source:https://en.wikipedia.org
