Nestled in the southern part of Bengal is one of the world’s most enchanting and mysterious places - the Sundarbans. A region of rivers, tides and verdant mangrove forests. The very name of Sundarban means, “beautiful forest,” as these particular mangrove trees are known as Sundari
“Apnare loye bibroto rohite/ ashe nai keho obonee pore/ sokoler tore sokole amra/ protyeke amra porer tore…” We all grew up reading this poetry by Kamini Roy. But how many of us truly understand its meaning? And even if we do, how many of us are
Howrah is located in South Bengal's Gangetic delta, which is made up of low-lying alluvial plains. The word "howrah" comes from the word "haor," which refers to a wetland region where mud and water once accumulated. The district, which is separated by the Ganga and Rupnarayan
The Great Knot (Calidris tenuirostris), a rare and globally endangered migratory bird, was recently sighted on the sea beach of Digha, Paschim Medinipur district. Since this species is rarely seen in India, the discovery has excited ornithologists and bird enthusiasts. The sighting was confirmed by Dr. Suman
If you ever find yourself on the other side of the Hooghly River, away from the incessant honks and commotion of Kolkata, you will find Shibpur, where a whole new world waits quietly for you - The Indian Botanical Garden. Spanning almost 270 acres, it is almost more
Once feared as a ruthless poacher who knew every hidden trail of the Sundarbans, Anil Mistry was the kind of man wildlife dreaded. He could slip into the mangroves with ease, his gun slung over his shoulder, and return with the spoils of the hunt. But
At a busy tea stall in North Kolkata, a group of strays nap lazily in the shade. One of them, a caramel-coated dog with gentle eyes, stretches and ambles towards a man sipping tea. Instead of shooing him away, the man tears off a piece of biscuit and
The Supreme Court first ordered all stray dogs to be sent to shelters, which upset many people. This showed how much citizens care for the animals. After the public outcry, the Court revised its order. Now, the dogs will be sterilised, vaccinated, and returned safely to their local areas. Even
When winter arrives, the look of Bengal’s fields, countryside, and forests changes. Many villages and rural areas turn into safe shelters for birds. Although winter is still a long way off, without talking about birds, Bengal’s biodiversity feels incomplete. Hearing their chirping when you wake makes the morning feel peaceful, and the
Badal-rate dakile ‘Piya Piya Papiya/ bedanay bhore oṭhe naki re kaharo hiya,‘Piya geche kabe pordesh Piu kaha ḍake Papiya"or, ‘Chokh gelo pakhi re…’ ("On a stormy night, when the bird calls ‘Piya Piya Papia’ / does someone’s heart fill with pain?" "The beloved went away long