Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary

If you are looking for a gateway in the forest, I can suggest the Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary. Beautiful forestation, large water bodies, and home to many deer and migratory birds, like Sultanpur National Park, will be your partners for this trip. So let’s know more about this Indian forest.

Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary, Shantiniketan, Bolpur

Ballavpur Abhayaranya is another attraction in Shantiniketan. The deer park was inaugurated on July 11, 1977.

On over 700 acres of land with many trees like sal, pial, sishu, cashew, haritaki, amlaki, bahera, sirish, berry, mahuya, sonajhuri, akashmani, etc., 210 Chital deers, four barking deers and other animals like Krishna Sar, peacock, rabbit, Mongoose, fox, snake, and varieties of birds, this Reserved Forest was set up.

It is located 3 kilometres from Bolpur Santiniketan and 172 km from Kolkata. The park is near Sriniketan.

Read First National Park of India, Jim Corbett

Bolpur Dear Park

Balavpur Wildlife Sanctuary is also known as Deer Park. It is located in the ‘Khoai’ area and has a large forest and a natural bird sanctuary with many deer.

The place is known for its green grounds and red soil in the Bolpur sub-division of the Birbhum district. The natural green forest and its evergreen beauty attract people like the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary and the Tiger Reserve.

ballavpur wildlife sanctuary shantiniketan — At Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary, Shantiniketan

The Wildlife Sanctuary, the Asansol-Durgapur region, comprises the Indigenous area. This region is between two mighty rivers, Damodar and Ajay, which flow parallel to each other (about 30 km in diameter).
It is a pleasure to see the groups of deer come to eat at 8:00 a.m./3:00 p.m. In Shantiniketan, the attraction of this spot is increasing.

Arrangements to stay over can all be made at the FRH, AB: DFO, Birbhum Division, Suri, Birbhum. Adjoining the jungle of Sal-sonajhuri, with low and high hillocks, was a shelter for the former revolutionaries.

Today’s Amar Kutir, once built by a revolutionary, is a centre for handicrafts, leatherwork, and block printing. Tourists can buy these products.

In the large adjoining pond next to the Deer Park, during winter (November to March), various birds (named in Bengali vernacular)—balihans, moral, pandubi, methane, jalpipi, titir, and machhranga—along with other birds like hornbill, pochard, gadwall, shoveller, pintail, egret and thousands of other migratory birds flock here.

The scene is impressive at sunset when they return to their nests. Further, there are innumerable turtles in the pond.

History of Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary

The Sanctuary is named after Ballavpur. In 1957, the area was declared a Reserve Forest. In 1977, an area of 2.021 sq. Km was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary. It represents the Biogeographic Zone 7 B-Chhotonagpur Pleated and has natural Sal Forests.

Acacia, Sissoo, Cashew Nuts, and other trees were planted in 1954-55 to green the Barren land. Black Duck and Spotted Deer were introduced in 1967-68, and only Spotted Deer survived.

The Spotted Deer have been translocated to Buxa and other Forests. Commonly found animals are Wolves, Jackals, Foxes, Common Langurs, Jungle cats, Civets, and Indian Porcupines. The sanctuary has three water bodies (locally called Jhils), attracting a large number of winter migratory birds.

Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary, Shantiniketan Entry Fee and Timings

ballavpur wildlife sanctuary bolpur west bengal

After reaching the main gate, you will find a ticket counter with only a Rs. 10 entry fee. It will allow you to enter for one hour. The counter is open from 10 am to 3:30 pm except on Wednesday, when it is closed. The ticket price is Rs. 5 for children below 12 years. If you are visiting with a camera, it will cost you an additional Rs. 20.

Bolpur Deer Park attraction

This place is the only conservation of deer in West Bengal. The Sanctuary was established in 1967. Cheetal, dear, and Blackbucks are the most commonly found deer here. Apart from that, foxes, jackals, and monkeys are also there. The place is large, with three water bodies, so migrating and resident birds are always available.

The place is covered with a roadway and fencing on both sides. Walk around, and you will see wildlife and birds. There is also a watchtower to observe the whole place.

Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary is home to many animals and birds, but the major attraction is the deer. Locals also call it Deer Park, Bolpur. The elevation and climate are suitable for animals.

Shantiniketan is the place of Tagore. People visiting here are attracted by Rabindranath Tagore and his work. But this Deer Park is too significant to see for its location.

Everyone visits Khoai, Kopai River as part of the culture, but this park is also an attraction for properly enjoying Shantiniketan.

Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary Resort accommodation

Many luxurious private resorts are situated just 5 minutes away from the Wildlife Sanctuary of Ballavpur. The multi-cuisine garden restaurant, 24-hour electricity, Western bathrooms, car parking facilities, and beautifully furnished rooms with air-conditioned rooms.

The accommodation offers shelter to be comfortable near nature and is perfect for the bustling tourist destination of West Bengal’s Santiniketan region and remote areas.

The rooms are equipped with ethnic furniture, televisions, hot water geysers, and intercom facilities; they also arrange the car for sightseeing. At this resort, you will get a Double-Bed Deluxe Room, Dormitory, Family Room, Honeymoon Duplex Suite, and Standard Suite.

The food is well served in the indoor dining hall and the garden restaurant. You can choose from a range of Indian, Chinese and continental dishes.

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Ballavpur Abhayaranya How to reach

The nearest railway station is Bolpur-Shantiniketan. If you visit Kolkata, you can find a few trains from Howrah and Sealdah railway stations all day.

After reaching Bolpur-Shantiniketan station, you will find local transport like rickshaws, Toto, etc. But beware of those local drivers who always haggle before using their service.

Or else they will take advantage and charge a lot more. After crossing Biswa Bharati University, Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary is two kilometres away.

Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary | Deer Park Bolpur West Bengal — Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary map

Places to visit in Shantiniketan B0lpur

Gitanjali Rail Museum
Kankalitala Temple travel guide
Biswa Bangla hat
Prakriti Bhavan Nature Art museum
Amar Kutir
Amar Kutir ECO-Tourism Park
Srijani Shilpagram Shantiniketan Bolpur
Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary Bolpur, Shantiniketan
Kopai river
Visva Bharati Santiniketan
Visva Bharati Kala Bhavan
Rabindra Bhaban Museum
Sonibarer hat / Khoai boner haat
Kalikapur Rajbari
Ghurisha Terracota temple
Wood Fossil Park Birbhum
Raipur Rajbari Birbhum
Surul Raj Bari
Sriniketan Bolpur
Santiniketan Poush Mela

How to go to Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary?

You can reach Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary by booking a car or toto from Santiniketan/ Bolpur station. It is approximately 4 km away from Biswa Bharati Santiniketan and approximately 5.5 km from Bolpur Station.

Which places are near Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary?

Amar Kutir 2. Sonajhuri Hat 3. Visva Bharati University 4. Prakriti Bhavan 5. Kankalitala, etc.

What is the ticket price of Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary?

The Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary ticket price is 10 rupees per person for one hour, 5 rupees per child (under 12 years), and 20 rupees for the camera.

How much is Toto’s care from Bolpur station to Prakriti Bhavan?

If you reserve Toto, the fare for Prakriti Bhavan or Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary will be around 150 to 200 rupees. The fare is variable, so bargain smartly.

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Santiniketan Tour from Kolkata

Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary | Deer Park Bolpur West Bengal