“In order to see birds, it is necessary to become a part of the silence”
– Robert Lynd
Birding is my passion. And it can always go together with any travel plan. There are so many birding areas available across our country. Among them, Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary is one of them situated at south Kolkata and near Narendrapur Ramkrishna Mission. This is also known as Kayal-r Bagan. This garden is famous for availability of wide variety of birds, ferns and orchids.
I went there for birding in February 2020. It is always adviced to reach there by early morning. It is nice peaceful and place of tranquility. A great place for bird watchers or if you are a bird photographer, it will not disappoint you. Even if u want to just get some vibes of a forest, it is a must visit. It is like a small oxygen plant within the city. However, you should carry some food & water along with you.
The Sanctuary opens at 7 in the morning and is open till 5 in the evening and is a treat for your eyes and soul as it houses a wide range of birds and certain reptiles like the monitor lizard. Though a number of birds found in the sanctuary might be available with the city, hovering around housing complexes but to find them in their natural habitats is a pleasing sight.
Ways to reach the sanctuary:
The Sanctuary is located about 15 KMs from the heart of the city and the nearest railway station is Sonarpur on the Sealdah-Diamond Harbour route. From Sonarpur station, one can hire an auto which charges a nominal fare for a ride of 20 minutes. The Sanctuary can also be reached via the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass road.
Best Time to visit:
Birds are found throughout the year but the ideal time to visit and enjoy the environment would be between the months of November and January.
Entry Fee:
INR 50 per head. No charges for Camera.
