Kulik Bird
Sanctuary is also known as Raiganj Bird Sanctuary is located in North Dinajpur
district of West Bengal, India. This sanctuary is popularly known as Kulik Bird
Sanctuary because the river ‘Kulik’ flows beside the sanctuary. Established in
the year 1985 Kulik is considered as the 2nd largest bird Sanctuary
in Asia. It extends over 1.30 sq. Km. area. 0.14 Sq. Km is the core area and 1.16
sq. Km buffer area.
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| Asian Open-bill, the signature species of Kulik Bird Sanctuary |
Kulik Bird Sanctuary is a paradise for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts. It is a safe abode to near about 164 species of birds. Every year almost 70,000 to 80,000 migratory birds visit the sanctuary. This ‘U’ shaped sanctuary is connected with river Kulik with an intricate network of artificial canals. The vegetation of the sanctuary is tropical dry, deciduous type. In the year 1970, this area was included in the social forestry programme of West Bengal Government. Many migratory birds, mainly Asian Openbills were flocking in this artificial forest made up of Kadam, Jarul, Sisoo, and Eucalyptus. That is why in the year 1985 this forest was declared as Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary.
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| The entrance of Kulik Bird Sanctuary |
Beside the
river Kulik, in this dense forest, numerous species of birds are thriving all
over the year. The permanent residents of this place are Kingfishers,
Woodpeckers, White-breasted Waterhen, Asian Wagtail, Wood Sandpiper, Greater Coucal, Bee-eater, Brown Shrike, Blue-throated Barbet, Maynas, Black-hooded Oriole, Munia, Paddy-field Pipit, Jungle Babbler, Red-whiskered Bulbul, Oriental
magpie Robin, Common Iora, Rufous Treepie, Red-wattled Lapwing, Bronzed-winged Jacana, Rose-ringed Parakeet and many more.
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| Some Resident Birds of Kulik Kingfisher; Black-hooded Oriole; Jungle Babbler; Greater Coucal White-breasted Waterhen; Asian Koyel; Rose-ringed Parakeet; Bronze-winged Jacana |
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| Some insects and butterflies of Kulik Commander butterfly; Red cotton bug; Red Dragonfly; Common Mormon butterfly |
Numerous
migratory birds came here to settle their nesting ground. They come mainly from
South Asian countries and coastal regions. They start arriving in the rainy season.
The migratory species include Asian Open-bill, Egrets and Cormorants. During
monsoon, the river water enters the sanctuary. This humid weather flourishes a variety of food items for the birds. Rainy season increases the population of
apple snails which are the main diet of open-bills. They separate the shell
from the body of the snail by using the tip of the beak. This kind of food
habit of them suggests their Bengali name ‘Shamuk Khol’. Open-bills also feed
on small water snakes and frogs which are also become available in huge number
mostly in the rainy season.
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| Some migratory birds of Kulik Asian Open-bill Stork; Night Heron and Cormorant |
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| Bats on tree branches and a Pond turtle on wood in water |
Asian
Open-bills are the main attraction of this sanctuary. It is a large wading bird
of stork family. It is greyish or white in colour with glossy black wings and
tail. The adults have a gap between the arched upper mandible and recurved lower
mandible. This gap suggests the name ‘Open-bill’. Inland wetlands are their
favourite nesting grounds. So, the lakes and canals in Kulik bird sanctuary is
an appropriate place for them to settle down. After arrival, they build a rough flat platform of sticks on higher branches of tallest trees which are half-submerged in water. They breed colonially from July to September and usually
lay 2-4 eggs. They nurture their young here and start their return journey to home in late winter.
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| Oxbow lake inside the Sanctuary |
In early
winter Kulik becomes the most attractive place. Colourful plumages of different
birds make the forest look ethereal. Sweet songs of birds make the environment
more charming. The forest also offers a large variety of colourful butterflies and beautiful insects. Bats hanging from tree branches and sudden siting of Pond Turtle in water bodies are some additional achievements into the forest. There is no jeep safari. Visitors have to walk along with the jungle trail. There are a number of watchtowers in the forest. Kulik never
disheartens its visitors. From the top of any watchtower if you keep your eyes
on the horizon Kulik will lead you to a birds’ paradise.
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| Jungle trail |
Places to visit from Kulik:
1. Kunore
village
2. St Joseph
the Worker Cathedral
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| St Joseph the Worker Cathedral |
Best Time to Visit: October to March
How to reach: (From Kolkata)
By Road:
Take a bus
from Dharmatala to Raiganj. Kulik is 3kms away from Raiganj.
By Train:
Radhikapur
Express from Kolkata Station. It leaves Kolkata Station at 7:30 PM and arrives
Raiganj the next day at 5:35 AM.
Or take any suitable train to Malda town. Raiganj is 72 km away from Malda town.
By air:
The nearest airport is Bagdogra. Raiganj is 180 km away from Bagdogra.
Where to Stay:
Raiganj Tourist Lodge
Contact: www.wbtourism.gov.in
Tariff: Rs
700-1200/- per night
Hotel
Binayak:
Contact:
03523-242082
Tariff: Rs
1500-3000/- per night
Hotel
Gitanjali:
Contact:
95932006600
Tariff: Rs
800-1200/- per night
Nice Description & awesome wildlife photography
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