(21) Bokkhali:

Bakkhali is one of the most popular deltaic island bearing human habitation close to Bay of Bengal. This small island spreads itself into the vast Bay of Bengal through an 8 kilometer long beach goes from Bakkhali to Frasergunj, the two hamlets forming one locality. If anyone decides to have his holiday in a calm beach, then Bakkhali would be the best place. Its beauty of nature provides anyone with a divine environment. The dense Casuarinas groves (plantations) will make the mind crazy with a feeling of purest freedom here. Mr. Andrew Fraser, the formerly Governor of Bengal, explored this area and hence the name of Frasergunj. This place is 130 km away from Kolkata located in South 24-paraganas district and can be reached by road through Namkhana after crossing a river called ‘Hatania-Doania’.The playing of hide & seek by the Red Crabs is the most attractive feature in this beach. Besides, one will listen to the divine songs of the casuarinas-groves. Enjoying the moon lit night over the vast sea beach will surely be a special moment of life.

 

(22)  Jambu Dwip:

 Jambudwip is the most ancient name in the Indian subcontinent from before it collided into the Eurasian landmass after splitting off from Africa. In fact, Jambudwip is a desolate island situated in the Bay of Bengal about 8 km to the southwest of Fraserganj-Bakkhali in the district of 24 Parganas (S). It remains uninhabited excepting the fishing season in October- February.

In the past, fishermen came from the Chittagong and Noakhali areas of East Pakistan for fishing. They developed special aptitude and traditional skills for marine fishing. The reasons for using Jambudwip were its proximity to fishing grounds, presence of natural creek for harbouring of boats and availability of drinking water.

In the recent past, the department of Forest has declared the area as Reserve Forest as it has mangrove forests of Gnewa, Goran, Hental,Bain trees and also wild life typical to sundarbans.

It is known that some years ago, fishermen and other people from Kakdwip, Namkhana, Shikarpur, Chemaguri and Medinipur started using this delolate island as their place of drying of sea-fish catches. They even deforested about 20 hactare of forests (out of 130 hectare of island’s forests) for their settlement and harbouring of fishing-trawlers from various areas. By this time, the extremist groups also reported to have started illegal activities including dealing of fire-arms. Later, as per order of Supreme court of India in a case of Public Interest Litigation, the Forest Department evicted all the said illegal encroachers from the island on 25.09.2002 ; and new mangrove plantations were raised with 2,13,000 mangrove plants. Presently, the department has set up a patrol camp there for keeping surveillance.

(B) Bokkhali : nearby Hotels/ Lodge/Resorts:

1.Hotel Amarabati : +91 3261 9340, +91 33 2210 1822 (Kolkata offic: Cottage-Rs 650  Delux Room-900, A.C.-1,200, Deluxe Four Baded- 1,500, Bathtub Room-1,600.
Hotel Babylon : +91 973278 1970, clean hotel. Double rooms Rs 200-400

2. Ananya Hotel : (In between Bakkhali and Frazerganj),+9836080770/9831507528, plenty of water, hotel roof access, very good ambience and airy. Enclosed car parking available.Now Restuarant is open. Double room Rs 300 to 950 (AC), 7 bed top floor dormitory for Rs 225/-.

3. Hotel Bayview : +91 32 1022 5214, +91 98 3613 5942

(hcp_2009@rediffmail.com). Facilities are okay for budget conscious travellers. Food is Bengali only and seems to be clean and hygienic compared to other road-side eateries.

4. Bakkhali Govt.Tourist Lodge :  +91 9732510450, +91 03210 211260, WBT Booking centre +91 33 4401 2659, (

visitwestbengal@yahoo.co.in The only lodge near the beach is run by the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDC) at Bakkhali. Credit cards accepted. Reservation: 120 days in advance from Tourism Centre at 3/2, B.B.D. Bag (East) (ground floor), or online from the West Bengal tourism website. Rs 1,800.

5.  Hotel Deepak, Frazerganj :+91 33 2464 0081, +91 33 2463 3203 (

pgcl@rediffmail.com), A/C and non-A/C rooms, lift, swimming pool, bar, Bengali/Chinese/Continental. dorm bed Rs 100/day, rooms Rs.450-850.

6. Hotel Dolphin : +91 32 1022 5296, +91 98 36543585, A/C, non-A/C rooms, cottages, parking, garden, restaurant. On call doctor. Non-AC = Rs. 500/- Rs 1,200-2,000 + 5% tax on A/C rooms.

7. Banani Resort: 1 nihgt & 1day- 1300/-,1 nihgt & 2 days- 2000/-, 2 night & 3 days- 2500, +91 9836904990.

(bananiresort@gmail.com).

8. Henry Island, Henry Island WBFD (10 min from Bakkhali), +91 33 2337 6470. Two complexes. One is just at the entrance of the Henry Island Mangrove area just adjoing the Matla river, and the other is 2 km inside it. The cottages inside Henry Island are named after various mangrove trees. The watchtower has a nice view. To book contact the State Fisheries Development Corporation (Bikash Bhavan). Rs 600-900

 

(C) Henry Island: nearby Hotels/ Lodge/Resorts:

1. Henry Island WBFD: 10 min. from Bokkhali, +91 3323376470. Two complexes. One is just at the entrance of the Henry Island Mangrove area just adjoining the Matla River and the other is 2 km. inside it. The cottages inside Fisheries Development Corporation (Bikash Bhavan). Rs. 600-900.

2. Joyguru Abasan:  main road to beach. (2 minutes from Bakkhali bus stand.), +91 97 3437 0212. checkin: 10AM; checkout: 11AM. Residential type hotel. Generator provided and running water 450.

  
(D) Frezerganj : nearby Hotels/ Lodge/Resorts:

1. Sagar Belaya Guest House, (at Frezergunj), +91 33 2453 5817, +91 92 3154 9732

(sagarbalaya@gmail.com) Up to 50% off-season discount available. Bengali foods & snacks are available. Group cooking facility available, dining room @ Rs. 500/- day, onsite generator 6PM-10PM daily. 8 double rooms Rs 500-600, 2 triple rooms Rs 600-750

2. Sahana Tourist Lodge: +91 33 22486850, +91 98 3026 8698

(sahanabakkhali@gmail.com) 10 rooms with double rooms and one 4 bed rooms available on the 1st floor for Rs 850. Off-season discount may be available. Car parking, onsite power generator, cable TV, children's playground. Rs. 425-8503.

3. Unique Cottage : +91 9564365607, Hotel Mainakh: +91 9734885292
4 Hotel Dolphin : +91 8372873663, Hotel Promila : +91 9732769555
5. Hotel ICON Heritage : +91 9932877648, room  2,200-7,000 (excluding Tax).
6. India Beacons Sojourn : 1, Indira Roy Rd. (Oposite Indira Cenema), Kol-25, WB, India. Cont : +91 9903295920, info@indirabeacons.com Also pots for package tours.

TARIFF : Depends upon number of persons. Children above 4 years of age, full charge. Children upto 4 yrs of age, Minimum No. of 2 Persons, Maximaum 50s. Complementery, sharing food and bed with parents the hotel/resort.