Subhasis Banerjee

SATKOSIHA GORGE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY In the Dhenkanal district of Odisha in the Eastern Ghats, spreading along a long river gorge created by River Mahanadi lies 400 sq km of deciduous forests of the Satkoshia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary. The water of the river here is notoriously infested with Crocodiles. The representative fauna of the sanctuary includes Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Wild Boar, Common Langur, Squirrel, Chital and Chinkara. Accessibility : 124kms from Cuttack, the sanctuary is approached by road via Angul. Cuttack , lying on the major Kolkata-Chennai rail route, is the nearest railway station to the sanctuary. Cuttack is also well connected by road. Accommodation : There are Forest Rest Houses inside the sanctuary and tented accommodation outside. Season : November to June.

BHITARKANIKA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY This 650 sq km of pristine mangrove is predominantly an Olive Ridley Turtle preserve. These turtles flock in thousands from distant countries, even South America, to lay and hatch their eggs on the pristine Ekakula beach of the Gahirmata Island in the eastern fringes of the sanctuary. They start coming here from November and moves away with their offspring by April. The sanctuary spreads over the confluence of the Brahmini and the Baitarani rivers, continuing up to their estuary in the Bay of Bengal, housing around 62 out of the 70 species of mangrove found in the world. The waters of the two rivers are replete with Crocodiles, attributing to a breeding centre inside the sanctuary. A strong birdlife of over 170 species also inhabits the sanctuary. The sanctuary can be traversed only by motor boats. Accessibility : Lying on the major Kolkata-Chennai rail route, Bhadrak is the nearest railway station to the sanctuary. A 50kms drive south-east from Bhadr...

PALI BIRD SANCTUARY Lying between Jodhpur and Ranakpur, the Sardar Samad Palace is a superb hunting lodge overlooking a large lake. The spectacularly spacious lodge was built by Maharaja Umaid Singh. It provides a breadth taking view of the famous Sardar Samad Lake, teeming with birdlife. Apart from the echoing birdlife on the lake, spotted deer and black buck also roam in the gentle forests around the lake. Accessibility : 70kms south-east of Jodhpur, this sedate lake and summer palace of the rulers of Jodhpur is approached by road. Accommodation : The erstwhile palace has been turned into a luxury Hotel. Season : October to March.

MOUNT ABU This hill station is a green oasis in the desertscape of Rajasthan sitting on the southern tip of the Aravalli Range overlooking the Nakki Lake. This is the only hill station of the state. The stunning and exquisite Dilwara Temple makes the place a popular pilgrimage centre along with the Adhar Devi Temple and the Shri Raghunathji Temple . The Sunset and the Honeymoon Points offer spectacular view of the verdant plains and valleys below, especially at sunset. Gardens and parks, a trademark of all towns of Rajasthan, are present here as well. Ashoke Vatika, Municipal Park and Terrace Garden are some of the main parks of Mount Abu. The Trevor’s Tank, about 5kms amidst wooded hills and the 14 th century Achalgarh Fort build by Rana Kumbha, about 10kms, are worthy excursions from here. One should also visit Guru Shikhar, the highest point of the mount, about 15kms away, which provides an excellent bird’s eye view of the surroundings. Accessibility : The railway statio...

SASAN GIR NATIONAL PARK Situated in the south-western half of the state occupying 1422 sq km in the Kathiawar Peninsula, Sasan Gir is the last home of the Asiatic Lion. The Asiatic Lion is slightly smaller in size, having a smaller mane than its African cousin. It is primarily a mixed deciduous forest consisting of Teak, Flame of The Forest, Acacia, Banyan trees and thorn bushes. The other fauna of the sanctuary include Leopard, Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Chowsingha, Chinkara, Wild Boar, Jackal and Hyena. A Crocodile Sanctuary and a hot spring are the two other added attractions of the sanctuary. Accessibility : A 59kms drive from Junagarh takes one to Sasan Gir village, the entry point to the Park. Junagarh is well connected by road and rail with Rajkot , which in turn is well connected by air, rail and road. Accommodation : Forest Rest Houses and a Tourist Lodge are available at Sasan Gir village. Season : December to May.

JESSORE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY Lying in the Gujrat – Rajasthan border, this dry deciduous forest is basically a Sloth Bear preserve. Other interesting wildlife of the sanctuary includes Leopard, Jackal and Nilgai. Accessibility : About 125kms drive, north of Ahmedabad, reaches one at Palanpur, the nearest town of the Park, which is another 28kms away. Accommodation : Forest Rest Houses are available inside the Park. Season : November to March.

DHANGDHARA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY This sanctuary, situated on the Indo-Pakistan border on the Little Rann-of-Kutch, sprawls over an area of 4840 sq km and is the only home of the Asiatic Wild Ass, a highly endangered species with a scanty population of only 250 at present. Other major wildlife found in the sanctuary includes Chinkara, Black Buck, Jackal, Wolf and Desert Cat. In the winter, the sanctuary is crowded with thousands of Flamingos. Accessibility : Dhangdhara is135kms from Ahmedabad on the Ahmedabad – Gandhidham rail route. Accommodation : There is no accommodation inside or outside the Park. Only day visit to the Park is recommended. Season : October to February.

Satpura National Park Dense forests, wide valleys, dark mountains, serpentine rivulets and majestic waterfalls spreading over an area of 52 5sq km on the Satpura Range in central India constitutes this spellbinding National Park. The captivating natural beauty of Panchmari with its Sal, Teak and Bamboo forests give this Park a unique variation which stupefies its visitors with its grace, modesty and splendour. The inhabitants of the Park include Tiger, Panther, Wild Boar, Bison, Nilgai, Barshingha, Four Horned Antelope and a rich variety of avian species. Accessibility : A 47kms drive from Piparia railway station on the Kolkata-Mumbai railway line transports one to the Park. Accommodation : Tourist Lodge, Resorts and Hotels afford excellent accommodation to the visitors. Season : November to June.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park A sprawling stretch of 1,938 sq km of predominantly Sal forests, today’s Sanjay Gandhi National Park is the extended version of the erstwhile Dubari Wildlife Sanctuary. Located in the Sirdhi district of Madhya Pradesh, this fabulous Park abounds in Tiger, Leopard, Panther, Wolf, Jackal, Sloth Bear, Sambar, Chital and Nilgai. Accessibility : A 105kms drive north from Satna transports one to this Park. Accommodation : Forest Rest Houses are available inside the Park. Season : November to June.