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The Place : Chintamoni Kar Bird Sanctuary District : South 24 Parganas

Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary is a 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 Government of West Bengal. It was later renamed as Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary after the noted artist Chintamani Kar who, along with local people and NGOs, 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. Enormous mango trees dominate the landscape of the sanctuary with jackfruit, coconut palm, tamarind, guava and others trees. A new bamboo plantation has been started to attract different species of birds and butterflies.

Best time to visit

Spring and winter
Sanctuary hours : 7.00am -4pm. 
Tickets (Rs. 15/- for adults) are obtained at the office, inside the sanctuary.

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, 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 Eastern Metropolitan Bypass. The distance from Ruby General Hospital is about 10km. Buses and auto-rickshaws are also available from Garia. Private buses on route 80, 80A & 80B stop at Rathtala.

Places of interest [ What to do ]

It’s a paradise for bird watchers. Many forest species are commonly found in the area which 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.

Must Try Dishes

Where to Stay

It’s a place for day tour


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