We are living in an era
when our over dependence on technology touching new heights every day. In every facet of life, we fall back on our
gadgets. Thus, acquiring information related to tour and travel is no
exception. Instead of exploring beyond
regular and redundant, be it for visit to places of interests or for that
matter just a weekend jaunt, we start scouring internet. Often, searches yields
places very popular and beautiful, yet sometimes it can overlook beautiful places
normally unexplored.
This Holi (festival of
color), it was an unpremeditated trip to Bakkhali, which ended up being at
Henry’s Island, nearby Bakhkhali. Those, who are not acquainted with the name
‘Bakkhali’, it is a beach village in the southern fringe of West Bengal, State
of India and the district being South 24 Parganas. Shortest distance from
Kolkata to Bakkhali is 125 km ( Diamond Harbour Road {NH 12}, via
Sirakole – Usthi – Netra). If you take a detour via Sarisha-Diamond
Harbour, the distance will become 133 km.
Bakkhali itself is
nature’s own place, but the beauty of Henry’s Island lies in its tranquillity and
raw view of nature. Though unconfirmed, but we came to know from locales that
the name ‘Henry’s Island’ has been given after a British surveyor with the same
name who visited this place on 19th century. Distance between Kolkata to Henry’s Island is
126 km. (by shortest route), albeit the leading road to this place starts
taking a left turn at ‘Jetty Ghat’, Fraserganj, couple of km prior to Bakkhali.
A board marking the direction of Henry’s Island is to be found on the leading
road. People of Kolkata and around who
love pure nature will get exhilarated once they realize what treasure is lying
so close, yet unexplored. We travel miles to have a glimpse of jungle, uninhibitedly
flowing river, beautiful beach caressed tenderly by gentle sea waves, being
completely ignorant of all these scenic beauty waving to us from so close. Even
Bakkhali, with its all natural beauty remained virgin to be explored for long
due to the lack of infrastructural development. The root cause being the
unavailability of connectivity on Hatania Dowania, a slender River, en route to
Bakkhali from Namkhana. Crossing the river was always been a big deal since couple
of barges were the only way for private
and public vehicles to ferry across and they had to queue up hours before their
turn. This was so very annoying and time consuming that tourist used to lose
half of their enthusiasm crossing the river! There are also small country boats
available for carrying cattle and other passengers but the pandemonium is one
of the biggest setbacks for the development of Bakkhali and surrounding tourist
spots.
I’ve been regular to
Bakkhali for the last few years and seen the number of enthusiasts getting
increased every year. But the biggest positive change which is going to
catapult the number of tourist many fold, is the construction of Namkhana
Bridge over River Hatania Dowania. The bridge is inaugurated but still some
finishing work, including set up of toll booth is yet to be done.
Henry’s Island is an
awesome place, once you reach there but the leading road to it from ‘Jetty
Ghat’, Fraserganj is so slender you are bound to miss it, if not keep yourself
alert or your GPRS tracker on. The
sinuous pathway surrounded by rural households will lead you to the entry gate
of Henry’s Island. After tendering entry tickets you enter the precinct and
leave behind all your worries. This place is being well looked after by State
Fisheries Development Corporation Ltd., West Bengal and since your entrance to
this place the more you head towards the beach you will be welcomed by
surrounding mangrove forests, small hutments
in between and number of water bodies maintained for pisciculture. That means an
organic combination of raw nature and civilization. Behold, your emotions here,
because this is only the inception point of your amazement. The more you
advance, you will realize, gradually you are getting into the lap of Mother
Nature through a passage built by civilization where nearly all facilities are
available. From restaurants to cafeteria, small accommodations to put up all
are there within your reach. Booking though can only be done from there city
office for which you can refer their website: http://wbsfdc.com
Being a nature-lover, I
was keener to see beyond these facilities and boy, I was treated sumptuously
with view hardly anticipated. Entry to the through tbeach itself is an
experience. Dawn or dusk, any time of the day will have its ethereal impression
on you as you pass through the mangrove covered avenue. Once entered, you will
realize, this beach is even bigger than the Bakkhali beach. Since hobnob of crowd is generally lesser
here, you can have quality time taking a stroll on the beach. Swarm of small
red crabs was playing hide & seek with us. During low tide, the sea looks
sedated and since the water recedes, the beach looks wider.
West Bengal Govt. deputed Coastal
Securities, though small in numbers are always watchful and will alert you not
to venture out into the sea as there are hidden quicksand pockets on the beach.
Also, during high tide water fills the creeks generally remain dry near the
entry to the beach areas, unawareness can bring fatal consequences. At night,
though the beach is restricted, but watch towers on the beach can be utilized
for observing some wild animals like, wild boar, wild cats, dears etc.
If you are a nature
enthusiasts and looking for a short trip at the weekend, what are you waiting
for? Give this wonderful place a try.
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