Manalee Aranyak, Durgapur – Get the taste of virgin nature

Manalee Aranyak (Manalee Forest Resort), situated 15 km from Durgapur railway station, is an idyllic destination for the nature lover. First, it is not crowded — at least till now — because very few people have heard of it and even fewer go there.

Secondly, it is easily accessible from Kolkata. One needs to board one of the many trains from Howrah or Sealdah that touch Durgapur and then take a taxi. Spread over 22 acres, Manalee Aranyak gives you a taste of virgin nature.

The red laterite soil is not conducive to greenery, but the untiring effort of some nature lovers has turned the spot lush green.

Manalee Aranyak boasts of all types of trees — mango and jackfruit to cashew and tissue-culture Burma teak and even rare medicinal plants. There are also sal, akashmoni and mohua trees in and around the resort. Though a planted forest, the place has the look and feel of a virgin forest.

Watching the moon rise over Manalee Aranyak is marvellous, the whole resort bathes in soothing silver light.

If you go there during the monsoon, you will witness the heavenly sight of rain falling over a lush green forest from an observatory. It is an ideal place for refreshing your senses at the end of a hectic week.

The living arrangements are simple — there are three bedrooms with attached bathrooms (the water is drawn from a well through a mechanical pump). A provisional dining table placed under a neem tree makes eating out a memorable experience.

Manalee Aranyak may not retain its virgin beauty for long.

Plans are afoot to turn the quaint resort into a commercial tourism hub — horse-racing and camel-racing are on the cards, subject to government approval. An additional 19 acres have been earmarked where artificial lakes and hillocks may be built. As nature lovers are unsure whether such initiatives will enhance the attraction of the place, it may be a good idea to visit Manalee Aranyak as soon as possible.

How to go?

Manalee Aranyak is 15 km from Durgapur railway station. Take a train to Durgapur and hire a taxi. Or, take a bus from Durgapur Benachiti and get off at Pratappur.