Unveiling Treasures of North Bengal

Akkhaika Sur










North Bengal, a testament to nature’s grandeur and diversity is few kilometres away from the hustle and bustle of Kolkata. North Bengal is the home of such unique and hold magnificence of topography in the lap of nature, where we can observe majestic Himalayas, lush tea gardens and dense forests which conserve biodiversity. North Bengal is such a calm and serene region where we can find numerous rivers like Teesta, Murti etc.

In 2023, I travelled to North Bengal to experience the beauty and the serenity of nature. I visited Aholdhara, a little-known village of West Bengal, at a distance of 50 kms from New Jalpaiguri Station- popularly called NJP which happens to be the gateway of North Bengal. Luckily, I was able to witness the majestic snow-clad Kanchenjunga, which truly glittered like gold as the sun with its rise brightened the dawn. And from locals we came to know that we can also observe Kanchenjunga from Ahaldhara viewpoint specially in early morning. There were many homestays, where one can stay to observe the sunrise and sunset from Ahaldara view point.


Namthing Pokhri lake is yet another infamous hidden gem of North Bengal.it is a natural lake in Latpanchar, Selpu khasmahal, west Bengal. Though water is not present there, from a nearby board we came to know that the lake was the habitat of salamanders, an endangered species. On the back side of the Namthing Lake, there was a dense forest of innumerable tall trees and the gentle breeze will comfort one’s mind and body. Also in the forest, there were many Cinchona trees, which have a lot of contribution in medicine. Cinchona bark contains a chemical called quinine. Quinine has effects that help to cure malaria and reduce heart palpitation.


Testa river is one of the important rivers in North Bengal. Primarily it flows from Sikkim and West Bengal, then it flows to Bangladesh. The Testa River plays an important role in agriculture, economy and ecosystem of environment. I am very lucky that I had a chance to visit one of the most beautiful and serene natural wonder of North Bengal. The crystal blue water, the green environment, and the cute monkeys had mesmerized me. The Testa river had left an invisible mark on my soul.


Testa also has many dams. We visited a dam of Testa known as Gajoldoba dam, located near Jalpaiguri. This barrage is mainly used for irrigation and flood control. It diverts the river’s water into the Mahananda canal system, supporting agriculture in the region. It’s a beautiful region, which is famous for bird watching. There were also boating facilities available, which is a great opportunity for eco-tourism. I had a chance to watch sunset from the Gajoldoba which is quite mesmerizing.


North Bengal is a remarkable region that enhances stunning landscapes, rich biodiversity and vibrant colours. One visit to North Bengal was not enough for me; I couldn't fully experience all that this captivating region has to offer. I find myself yearning to return and explore more of its beauty.

 

*Student, Semester III

Comments

  1. AnonymousNovember 23, 2024 at 12:58 PM

    Beautiful ❤️

    ReplyDelete
  2. SarbeshaNovember 23, 2024 at 1:00 PM

    Beautiful ❤️😍

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousNovember 23, 2024 at 1:07 PM

    Lovely

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousNovember 23, 2024 at 3:32 PM

    Extremely well captured experiences, just the raw beauty of North Bengal, the serene landscapes, the frolicking butterflies, the waddling rivers, and the picturesque trees, define North Bengal in its true sense. An absolute reading experience. Very well done!

    ReplyDelete
  5. broti chatterjeeNovember 23, 2024 at 3:45 PM

    A beautiful presented pictorial travelogue..of North Bengal...
    Hat's off....

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousNovember 23, 2024 at 9:32 PM

    দারুন হয়েছে লেখাটা। পরে খুব ভালো লাগলো।🥹

    ReplyDelete
  7. AsthamitaNovember 23, 2024 at 9:33 PM

    খুব সুন্দর লেখা।🥹

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Oberammergau : Where a vow started with a Pandemic and ironically postponed with a Pandemic

Image
20/10/2020 Manisha Deb Sarkar * Oberammergau Our Route for Oberammergau from Herrsching in Germany It was a comfortable cool morning in June, 2017 when I set out for Oberammergau from Herrsching in Germany . While driving along the silk smooth road that skirts through the eye soothing greeneries a sudden feeling of happiness filled my mind – that it is not a dream but a reality and I am travelling in the Bavaria state of Germany, a place so renowned for its picturesque natural beauty . On the way Reached My destination Oberammergau is a small town located in the foothills of the Alps cladded with dark green shaded coniferous trees. Mount Köefel is the signature of the town . It is some 61 km and about an hour long journey from Herrsching where I started my drive. Mount Köefel Mount Köefel I had little idea about the village. Before sharing Oberammergau in relation with the pandemic situation I prefer to give you some idea of its basic features. Oberammergau is a municipality in the
Read more

The COVID Experience in Qatar

Image
20/10/2020 Sudeshna Sanyal * Earlier this year as the spread of coronavirus started to gather momentum in different parts of the world, we, the residents of Qatar, braced for its impact as well. Although the first cases outside China were reported from different countries in January, the first confirmed case of COVID in Qatar was reported on 29 February,’20. This was a Qatari citizen who was evacuated from Iran. By 19 March, the number of total infected people rose to 460. Everybody knew that the spread of the infection in Qatar was inevitable in our intricately connected world. One by one, the government started taking strict steps to contain the spread of the virus. Travel ban was imposed, first, on 15 countries and later more were included in the list. A general ‘Lockdown’ was imposed in the first week of March and schools, universities, parks, religious places, shops, restaurants, malls and other establishments were closed. Face masks became mandatory in public places with a very
Read more

Unforgettable Alberta: A Journey Through Untamed Landscapes and Hidden Gems

Image
 Sudeshna Sanyal Cruise over a submerged ghost town? A mysterious Merman? Inside the mouth of the world’s largest dinosaur?      Alberta, one of Canada’s most breathtaking provinces, offers a travel experience like no other. From the rugged peaks of the Canadian Rockies to the dramatic landscapes of the Alberta Badlands, Alberta is a paradise for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and those casual travellers who are looking for a peaceful break in a serene environment. Whether one is drawn by its vibrant cities, or ancient lakes and glaciers, Alberta's diverse landscapes and experiences captivate every traveller.      Last summer, I had the opportunity to spend a month in Alberta, and it was an unforgettable, exhilarating experience. The Majesty of the Canadian Rockies: Banff, Jasper, and Yoho      The Canadian Rockies are undoubtedly the crown jewel of Alberta. A visit to Banff National Park, one of the most famous national parks in the world, is an absolute must. Banff is ho
Read more

A unique tribal group practicing an eco-preserving agro-technique by a women empowered society

Image
Manisha Deb Sarkar  Planning the visit:  Ziro valley – Homeland of Apatani tribe It was 2016. I was sitting unperturbed as the steady grip of Dr. Rupa holding her ‘Bolero’ steering was slowly crawling up the scary zig-zag roadways leading me to Ziro, a unique town in Arunachal Pradesh. Dr. Rupa and her family lives here. She hails from the non-nomadic Apatani ethnic tribal group and is presently working as Assistant Professor of Geography at Rajiv Gandhi National University in Itanagar, the capital city of Arunachal Pradesh. I expressed my desire to visit her hometown and talk with this unique tribal people. Dr. Rupa gladly took me over there and helped me in two ways. Firstly, she made me acceptable to the people and thereafter acted as an interpreter. From our conversations many unique features were unfolded to me.  Pre-ideas:  Nursery bed for sowing paddy saplings Mountain-girt valley and the centrally located paddy field Apatani women – farmers and farm land owners Forest at the fr
Read more

A Delightful Holiday in Kashmir

Image
21/12/2018 Gargi Banerjee* I was in Kashmir along with my parents for ten days on a holiday in the year 2016 during the month of May. I thought it worth writing a blog about our impressions and the beauty of nature. I can never hope to describe like movies, poets, storytellers have shown and described the splendour of Kashmir. I will just say it’s one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. I have travelled to many places throughout India but the beauty of Kashmir will always remain evergreen in my mind till my last breath.  Pir Panjal Range In Kashmir, we were in Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Srinagar, Pahalgam and Patnitop. Gulmarg is called ‘snow clad Switzerland of India’ …Snow covered natural meadows mesmerized us. The town is situated in the Pir Panjal range of the western Himalayas. Blind valleys were new to me in Pahalgam. The beauty of Betab and Aaru valley was treat to our eyes. It offers an unforgettable horse ride trip up to the valley.  Betab Valley Riv
Read more

Monsoon Magic….in Debrigarh.. A short Wildlife Photographic travelogue …

Image
  Brati Majumdar (Chatterjee) After a long gap of nearly three years, after finishing the story of the life of Dry Fish Workers and stressed due to work pressure…there was a need for refreshment. Many beautiful destinations popped up, with numerous suggestions from friends and relatives, we decided to pick the impossible,” A jungle safari, amid monsoon”.  We were informed promptly, that, most of the WLS’s been closed for three months during monsoon, there was no hope for a safari….but a sudden meeting with a friend of mine, and we came to know about the Debrigarh WLS, which remains open in September. With no delay, we visited the site, and our trip was planned. On September 22, 2023, we reached Sambalpur, where we were greeted by the staff of the WLS. After light refreshments, we headed towards our destination. As we leave the hustles and bustles of the beautiful township of Sambalpur, blessed by Goddess Sambaleshwari, the scenario began to change. Winding up along the road, with t
Read more

Groundwater Depletion in India -Now it’s Time to be Conscious

Image
09/09/2016 Juthika Dey* Ground water is the water that seeps through rocks and soil and is stored below the ground. The rocks in which ground water is stored are called aquifers. Aquifers are typically made up of gravel, sand, sandstone or limestone. Water moves through these rocks because they have large connected spaces that make them permeable. The area where water fills the aquifer is called the saturated zone. The depth from the surface at which ground water is found is called the water table. The water table can be as shallow as a foot below the ground or it can be a few hundred meters deep. Heavy rains can cause the water table to rise and conversely, continuous extraction of ground water can cause the level to fall. Source: Overview of Groundwater in India, Rupal Suhag , February,2016 Figure 1: Graphical Representation of Ground Water and Associated Terms The underground (hydro -geological) setting of ground water defines the potential of this resource and its vuln
Read more

A Dream Come True: A Journey Through Scotland's Wonders

Image
  Atrayee Roy For as long as I could remember, a desire to explore the diverse countries of Europe had simmered within me. It was a dream I harboured, one that beckoned with the promise of adventure and discovery. Little did I know that during a vacation in Bali, fate would gift me the opportunity of a lifetime – a chance to visit Scotland for a 7-night sojourn within the next two years. The universe had spoken, and my long-cherished wish appeared to be coming true. However, as fate would have it, the spectre of Covid-19 cast doubts over our travel plans. Yet, through unwavering persistence and determination, we found ourselves embarking on a journey to Scotland in the crisp March of 2023. Snowfall: A First Glimpse of Magic Our plane descended upon Edinburgh, the Scottish capital, on a leisurely Saturday afternoon. The city's aura was palpable, whispering tales of history and intrigue. We awaited a bus that would transport us to Sterling, the first stop on our Scottish odyssey. F
Read more

The Lost Inhabitants of Joka Birding Area

Image
Broti Majumdar Chatterjee The grassland behind the Indian Institute of Management Kolkata, in Joka, was once a part of a Wetland Ecosystem, overing a huge area, which was once a home to many species of local birds, housed many rare migratory visitors in winter, as well as many mammal species. Staying in Joka outskirts, very near to this grassland zone, I used to visit with my father and his photographer friends to witness the vibrant greenery and various bird species during winter since my school days. The outskirts of the wetland had a sparse population mostly of fishermen. The local people eagerly greeted the arrival of the winged winter visitors. My interest about photographing birds and watching them with shared binoculars grew as years passed by. Every year Gangaram, the local fisherman greeted us with a bright smile and informed us about the arrival of Bluethroat, Rubythroat, Siberian Stonechat or some other rare species. Let me share the story of JOKA BIRDING AREA, a Paradise Lo
Read more