(12)  Piyali:

 

Birds Watcher on Piyali River  

On the return journey, at the right turn of Jamtala is Piyali Island. It is a small island on the confluence of Piyali and Matla River – a small isle of peace and tranquility. The river Piyali flows through this island and traverses along to reach the River Matla. Entry fee Rs.10 per person. There is a sluice gate which has separated saline water from rain water. Piyali is very popular as a picnic spot in the winter.

 

One can see many bird species like Tailor bird, Black Drongo, Crow pheasant, Tree pie, Oriol, White Breasted Water Hen, White breasted Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Common Blue Kingfisher, Medium & Cattle Egret, Grey Heron, Grey Shrike, Spotted Babbler, Large Green Barbet, Golden backed woodpecker green, bee-eater, small minivet, little cormorant, Paradise flycatcher, and even the rarely seen sikra and serpent eagle and also various kind of Butterflies. Located at a distance of only 75 km from Kolkata, Piyali Island, in South 24 Parganas, is surely a bird lover’s paradise. Still retaining its virginity, the island offers a glimpse of an assortment of flora and fauna that reminds you the Sunderbans

 

Logistics: It is 150 km starting from Mathurapur Road station to Joynagar Majilpur station. A sumo vehicle may cost Rs.1500 for the entire tour.

 

How to reach: Take Sealdah-Lakkhikantapur-Namkhana local to Joynagar station. Then by trekker arrive at Jamtala Haat (per head Rs.10); from Jamtala Haat by auto reach Kaikhali (per head Rs.10). From Kolkata, one can go by road also – to go Baruipur first, take Baruipur-Kulpi road and at South Bishnupur take turn towards Raidighi.

 

Where to stay: Kaikhali Sree Ramakrishna Ashrama. Cost for food and lodging @ Rs. 200/-.Contact: Sree Ramakrishna Ashram, P.O.-Neempith, Dist. 24-Paraganas (S), West Bengal, Tel: (0321) 8226001.

 

 

Tour Operators:

 

1. BANALATA TRAVELS- Pick up from kolkata (by luxury bus/super deluxe/ push back-big and small, big & small car (AC/ Non AC) and bsack to kolkata. Cont: Rampada Mandal, +91 9830549149. www.sunderbanbanalata.com
2. THE ROYAL SUNDARBAN TOURIST CENTRE
Launch MV Monorama Cont : Shasadhar Manna. +91 9474007550, Fax- 03218 255 594. email- mannacan13@gmail.com. www.sundarbanmannada.com
3. ANAMIKA TRAVELS- Launch MV Kanchanjangha. Cont : Mihir Bhadra, +91 9732773033
4. GHOSH TRAVELS- Launch MV Shree Ramkrishna, Biswajoyi & MB Rajanigandha (Mini)/
Cont : Mahadeb/ Arun Ghosh- +91 9732545726, +91 9332064338
5. SUNDARBAN BHRAMAN SATHI- Lanch MV Sagardut. Cont : Samir Mandal, +91 9732545714 /+91 9734351502
6. HOTEL MAHAMAYA (Raidighi) - Cont: +91 9734650122, +91 7872339297
7. SREE GURU TRAVELS (Canning)- Cont : +91 9732659369, +91 9800930016 kumudgharami@yahoo.com