Mayurjharna Elephant Reserve

Mayurjharna Elephant Reserve (henceforth MER) is an elephant reserve in Eastern India. The reserve is located over parts of Paschim Medinipur district, Jhargram district and Bankura district of West Bengal, India. The area of this elephant reserve is 414.06 km2 (159.87 sq mi). and adjoining 1,436 km2 (554 sq mi). area is also declared as 'Zone of Influence'. The elephant population in MER increased from 47 in 1987 to 118 in 2010.[1] The reserve is declared on 24 October 2002 by the Government of West Bengal.[2][3]

 The area consists of Kankrajhore, Mayurjharna, Banspahari and Bhulabheda Forest Blocks of West Midnapore Division (131.50 km2 (50.77 sq mi)) and Popo, Barudi, Quilapal (P) etc. Forest Blocks (88.50 km2 (34.17 sq mi)) of Kangsabati Soil Conservation - II, Searbinda, Udalchua, Jalpukuria and Belpahari Forest Blocks (64.56 km2 (24.93 sq mi)) of West Midnapore Division and Quilapal (P), Nanna, Dhadka and Quchipara Forest Blocks (38 km2 (15 sq mi)) of Kangsabati Soil Conservation Division - II and Ranibundh, Motgoda (P), Chendopathar, etc. Forest Blocks (91.50 km2 (35.33 sq mi)) of Bankura (South) Division.[2]

Kendua Birds Village

At the end of every autumn and the onset of the long-awaited winters, many migratory birds flock to different districts of Bengal from far-off lands. The villages of Bengal get filled with them and their calls mesmerize the people around. They attract tourists who visit these areas, mostly birdwatchers who hope to catch a glimpse of them and capture some pictures on their DSLR cameras. But there is also a flip side to this story and how our feathered friends are in danger.

 For many years the Kendua area of the Jambani range of Jhargram district has been a safe haven for such migratory birds. Kendua is a small village and a birding hotspot situated on the Jhargram-Chilkigarh road at a distance of 9 km from the Jhargram town. Migratory birds visit Kendua in the month of May announcing the onset of monsoon and leave by November, they hatch their eggs and fly away. A walk through the Kendua village is more like a walk through the woods in a dense forest. The diversification of birds along with the change of nature from time to time is mesmerizing. For a breathtaking experience in the lap of nature, Kendua village is a must-visit for nature lovers. Around 9 species of birds have been sighted this year in and around Kendua; they include the Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Indian Pond-Heron, Indian Golden Oriole, Black-hooded Oriole, and Rufous Treepie.

Chilkigarh Sacred Grove

The West Bengal government is all set to declare Chilkigarh sacred grove in Jhargram as a biodiversity rich heritage site after considering the long-standing demands from research scholars who felt the need of legislation regarding the conservation of sacred groves in the state.

The Chilkigarh sacred grove, popularly name as Chilkigarh is situated in Jhargram under Jamboni police station limits. It occupies around 60 acres and is composed of relict forest patch in its near-climax stage along the east catchment zone of the Dulung river.

The landmass is considered sacred as it harbours the historically eminent temple of Kanak Durga (the golden deity) and the Raj Palace.

The whole area is maintained and managed by the temple trust. This sacred forest is known to exist long before the Nawab (King) period of Bengal and is said that the Bargees (the raiders) used to take refuge inside the dense forest during the daytime, thus concealing themselves in ambush to strike after nightfall.

Interestingly, the Chilkigarh Kanak Durga temple complex is the largest sacred grove of West Bengal, which has not yet attracted much media attention.