ROUTE
By the time we entered the Kona Expressway through Vidyasagar Setu, it was 9:45 am. At the end of Kona Expressway we took a left into NH-16 (NH-6) and continued straight crossing Dhulaghori Toll Tax, Uluberia and Kolaghat. The traffic on the highway was reasonably heavy considering the current scenario. However, it was a pleasure driving through the highway, with occasional halts at the toll plazas and of course the inevitable coffee breaks.

At Kolaghat, we pulled the car to a side under a tree and dug into our breakfast. Sumptuous noodles from one of our kitchens, traditional homemade sweets and cups of piping hot coffee out of flasks did wonders to boost our spirits and added that zing to the sense of pleasurable anticipation.

 

As we approached Kharagpur, we took the flyover on left towards Kharagpur Chowranghee Morh at trip 113 km. (Caution: Do not proceed straight on NH-16 towards the underpass as that would lead to Odisha).

On reaching the huge traffic roundabout at Chowranghee Morh at Kharagpur, we took the third exit to enter NH-14 (old NH-60) on the extreme right and proceeded towards Chandrakona and Bankura. At trip 119.9 km, we took the left at the Y-fork following the highway and headed towards Birendra Sasmal Setu on River Kangsabati. Continuing straight we crossed Dharma Morh followed by Karani Choti on NH-14 (NH-60). The fabulous road surface of the highway made our journey, a driver’s delight.

BHADUTALA RANGE
Driving about 10 km from Kharagpur Chowranghee Morh, we arrived at the lush green Bhadutala Range on NH-14 (NH-60) around 12:30 pm. The drive along the super-smooth tarmac shaded by the lofty sal and eucalyptus trees on either side was delightful. The verdant green of the trees set against the bright red laterite made for some startling viewing. We pulled the car to a halt and dived into the woods. It was easy to imagine how eerie the forests could turn as night fell. We continued on our forest trail. Enroute, we noticed numerous piles of log at the Bhadutala Timber Depot.

GODAIPIASAL BEAT
Driving for another 6 km we reached Godaipiasal Beat, another thicket in the Bhadutala Range. Covered with the towering trees, the beat was at least as beautiful as Bhadutala, if not more so. A strange calm descended on us as we gulped in that rarity – volumes of fresh air, while driving through the rich greenery. We met a few local women busy driving their goats to the grasslands. They pointed out the direction of our destination, and also gave us a few mangoes for good measure as we rolled on. How generous is the unspoilt soul of the people of our heartland.

Proceeding straight on NH-14 (NH-60), we crossed the sprawling Roy’s Dhaba where we took a short restroom break. Further down we saw the Arabari Resort (Dhaba), a restaurant cum bar which also has lodging facilities. The huge parking lots of both the recently developed eateries on the highway seem well organised. Finally, we observed a signboard on the right indicating the Arabari Range Office.
 

ARABARI FOREST RANGE
Arabari Central Nursery: Driving ahead a few yards on the highway, we came across another signboard on the right which read ‘Arabari Central Nursery’. Leaving the highway we turned right. At the entrance was the office. The Arabari nursery is famous for its cultivation of sal besides other species of plants such as bamboo, date palm, akashmoni and babla. Hundreds of saplings of sal could be seen in its vast compound. We passed the nursery and followed the red laterite pathway that led inside the Arabari Forest.

Arabari Forest: We entered the red laterite road thick with trees on either side leading to the Arabari Forest Range Office followed by the Forest Rest House. With the chirping of birds from the tall trees that made a widespread canopy over our heads and the small squirrels and garden lizards crossing our paths every now and then, it was an absolute paradise on earth.

May being the hottest month and the weather being overtly sultry, moving around in the forest was rather uncomfortable, though. Our clocks read 2:00 pm as we parked our car in a clearing and refuelled ourselves with instant soups, homemade sandwiches, boiled eggs and some fruits – a very satisfying meal indeed.

We spoke to locals and learnt that the Arabari range is surrounded by a villages such as Nepura, Kuer Khal and Chandamura on its outskirts. We also drove through the rough laterite roads to visit the nearby hamlets for that typical rustic experience. Most of the villages in the vicinity of the forest area have limited infrastructure, low income, mud houses (some double storeyed), there are few concrete structures. Poor availability of modern commercial energy sources like kerosene, LPG and electricity has forced the villagers to collect timber and dry leaves from the nearby forest area. In these forests, you will most commonly come across trees such as sal, eucalyptus, akashmoni, bamboo and cashew. We discovered several cashew plants and plucked a few ripe cashew fruits. They were a plump bright red so that was another intriguing quite thrilling find.

JOINT FOREST MANAGEMENT (JFM)
Joint Forest Management originated in West Bengal in the 1980's. The spirit of JFM has been to promote active participation of fringe communities to arrest fast depletion of forests and regenerate the already degraded forests by empowering the local communities. The Arabari range has demonstrated that with open communication and cooperation of the local people it is possible to dismantle the tradition of conflict between the forest authorities and communities.

THE FOREST PROTECTION COMMITTEE (FPC)
After the foundation of the Forest Protection Committee (FPC), the number of jungle cats, baboons, pythons, wild boars and different avifauna are reported to have increased. The forest is home to several wild elephants. The elephants from the Dalma Sanctuary are regular visitors to these forests. Avifauna such as ducks, storks, snips, and teals are common here. Venomous snakes such as the cobras, kraits, banded kraits and Russell vipers also proliferate.

Most of the FPC villages are surrounded by infringing areas where the people are very poor. Cattle rearing is the main source of livelihood. The primary non-timber forest products collected from the forest area have always been thatching grasses, mahua seeds, sal seeds, sal leaves, honey, medicinal herb and bamboos. The collection of these too is now being restricted.

ARABARI FOREST REST HOUSE
The model forest Arabari Jungle was formed with dense forest spreading over a hundred sq km. The Forest Rest House with its picturesque bungalow and a lovely garden with varieties of flowering plants is set in the middle of the forest. A huge concrete circular platform behind the bungalow is a perfect place for hosting a barbeque party before a bonfire. We regretted not staying back for the night for more adventure.

Having spent a lot of time in the forest it was time we retraced our steps. Enroute, on NH-14 (NH-60), we took a small detour to take a look at the Salboni Mint – about 10 km inside the highway.

Driving to the gate of the mint through the roads of summer-soft butter with bright green verdure on either side forming an arch was almost surreal in experience.

Back on the highway NH-14 (NH-60) we drove fast through scanty traffic, crossing Kharagpur. We now craved tea and halted for a cup on reaching Kolaghat at around 5:00 pm. By the time we made it to the city outskirts, the sky was overcast. No sooner had we moved onto the Vidyasagar Setu than the rains came lashing down on us. The city appeared pitch dark from the top of the Vidyasagar Setu. Luckily, the rains had subsided by the time we reached home, at about 7:00 pm.

Everybody takes something different back from wilderness experiences – though this was not wilderness at its wildest. But the fact that we could still execute a drive tour on a forest trail so close to our homes was amazing. The monotony of quarantine had been relieved.  It all seemed so much more bearable now that we knew there was emerald freedom at such close proximity. Just a mere day’s drive away. It was a delicious secret, one which today we are happy to share – but only with you…

Refreshments ON NH-14 (NH-60)
Roy’s Dhaba
Pure Vegetarian
Dakhin Shole, Salboni
Ph: 8436279008 / 9735614471

 

Arabari Resort
Restaurant cum Bar and Lodge
Ph: 7585889937 / 9851842983

 

Accommodation
Arabari Forest Rest House
Office of the Divisional Forest Officer, Midnapur Division, Michel Madhusudan Nagar,
PO & Dist. Paschim Midnapur, Pin: 721 101, Ph: 03222-275869
Email: [email protected], Website: www.medinipurforest.com

 

Tourism Centre (Kolkata)
3/2, B.B.D. Bag (East), Kolkata - 700 001
Phone: 033-2243 6440

 

Regional Tourist/ Booking Office
(033) 2243 6440 / 90733 86803 / 90733 86804 / 90733 27315