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 West
Bengal forest Development Corporation Limited
6A, Raja Subodh Mullick Square, 7 th - Floor,
Kolkata-700013.
The West Bengal Forest Development Corporation Limited came into
existence in 1974 on the recommendation of National Commission of
Agriculture in their Interim Report in 1972 on “Production
Forestry – Man-Made Forests”.
Garhpanchkot Nature Resort is located
near village Bagmara at the northern base of Panchet Hill in Purulia
District of West Bengal. Panchet hill is about 2100 ft (643 mt) in
altitude and 18 Sq km in stretch. Approximate population for 7 km radius
from this point is 75547.
Nearest
Railway Stations:
Kumardubi 14 km via Chirkunda
Barakar 14 km via Chirkunda
Asansole 34 km via Parbelia-Disergarh
Adra 28 km via Raghunathpur
Nearest Bus
Stand:
Raghunathpur - 14 km
Adra – 28 km
Asansole – 35 km
What
to see
Panchkot
was a part of an ancient East Indian kingdom known as Rajchakla
Panchkot, locally known as Panchet. Damodar Sekhar,
established Panchkot Raj probably during early 90 AD with the help of
Sardars of Jhalda and expanded his kingdom over several other parganas.
To give recognition to the main five (panch) clans (khunt) of the
locals the kingdom assumed the name Panchkot
Panchkot Giri has its
references in the Puranas also. The place was then known as Sekhar bhum
from which the founder king of Singh Deo Dynasty Damodar Sekhar derived
his name. The kingdom was probably a part of old ‘Tilakampa’ Kingdom.
The ruins of Telkupi, the said capital of Tilakampa
(submerged) went under water after the construction of Panchet Dam
The ruins of the
Garh (Fort) of Singh Deo Dynasty located at the southern foothills
and a group of temples is still standing as mute spectators of the rise
& fall of the dynasty. The temples are of different architectural
styles, the principal one being a ‘Pancharatna’ temple accompanied by
‘Jor-Bangla’type and more than one ‘Pirha’ type temples made of stone.
The Pancharatna temple still carries some depleted but exquisite
piece of presumably pre-muslim period terracotta work on its arches and
pillars. 500 meters away and a bit uphill from the main ruins of the
Garh Panchkot, lies ‘Dhara’ a perennial spring channeled through a ‘Cow
mouth’ made of stone.
Around 1600 AD,
Garhpanchkot came under the rule of the famous king Bir Hambir of
Bishnupur Malla Dynasty, but for how long that could not be ascertained.
One of the two inscriptions located by J.D Beglar beside the ruined
gateway of Panchkot fort mentioned of Hambir. Beglar went to Panchkot in
1862 and wrote an essay called ‘Panchet’. The great poet Michael
Madusuda Dutta visited the place during 1872 for a short period as an
estate manager of Singh Deo dynasty. He wrote three poems on Panchkot
namely, ‘Panchkot giri’, ‘Panchkotoshyo Rajosree’ & ‘Panchkot Giri Biday
Sangeet’.
Biodiversity
The Panchkot Giri or
the Panchet hill is about 2100 ft (643 mt) in altitude and 18 Sq km in
stretch. The mixed Sal forest of this area is famous for its rich
biodiversity. Plethora of Medicinal Plants and herbs are widespread in
this area. Some easily identifiable species are Amloki, Haritoki, Bahera,
Kalmegh, Satamul, Anantamul, Sarpagandha, Jastimadhu, Bel, Neem, Kurchi,
Gurmar etc. Bright yellow Galgali flower & Palash, the well known ‘Flame
of the Forests’ paint the landscape perhaps better than any real life
illustrator
On a drive along the
7.5 km 'Jeep'-able forest road leading to the hill top the tourist may
encounter groups of langur, jackal, porcupine, wild boar and yes,
snakes! The rich avifauna namely the Purple Sunbird, Drongo, Indian
roller, Tree pie, Oriole, Bablers, Barbets and many others are also an
added attraction to the tourists. Garhpanchkot harbours a good variety
of butterflies through out the years. The nature lover can easily found
butterfly varieties in its natural habitat; the commonly found
butterflies are Tawny Coster, Peacock Pansy, Lemon Pansy, Grey Pansy,
Common Tiger, Common Leopard, Common Mormon, Common Castor, Mottled
Emigrant, Viceroy, Silverline etc.
Land of People
WBFDC has effectively
involved the local people in promotion of eco-tourism through setting up
of Forest Protection Committee (FPC). These people play a vital role in
protecting the forests and now they also get benefited by participating
in the eco-tourism activities related to the Nature Resorts of
Corporation. Community eco-development through spread of eco-tourism
activities has now become one of the most important parts of WBFDC's
planning.
Purulia is
traditionally rich in tribal heritage & culture. Garhpanchkot offers a
close look to the life & life style of tribal population, tribal culture
of different tribes namely Santal, Shabar, Kheria, Birhore etc. The
fascinating ‘Chhou dance’, ‘Chhou mask’ for which Purulia is famous can
also be accessed from Garhpanchkot nature resort. One can enjoy the mood
of festivals & fairs of the district, namely Bhadu, Tusu, Karma, Bandhna.
Doljatra is celebrated with gaiety at ‘Birinchinath temple’ near
Garhpanchkot. At Ram Navami an annual fair is organized in the vicinity
of Garh Panchkot ruins.
The enthusiastic tourists may visit the
nearby Raghunathpur town famous for its Silk Fabric works, the Kashipur
Rajbari, the Jaychandi hill (Rock climbing), the Muradi Dam near Baranti
village, Bero Village well known for its natural beauty. A trip to
nearby Panchet Dam, Mython dam, Kalyneswari Temple is certainly an added
attraction.
Timber Wood Products
(Click here to know rates)
ROUND TIMBER · Round Timber is sold in auction by Kalimpong (General
Special) Division, Kurseong Logging Division, Buxa Logging Division and
Saw Milling Division.
· Estimated annual volume sold 20, 000 - 25,000 cum.
· It is sold from depots in Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Kurseong, Cooch Behar,
Kalimpong and Buxa in North Bengal.
Major species sold : Teak and Sal.
· Other species sold : Gamar, Sisoo, Champ, Panisaj, Chikrasi, Latore,
Haldu, Lampate, Toon, Lali, Mandone, Malagiri, Angare, Pakasaj, Sidha,
Pipli, Utis, Dhupi, Cypress and other D E Class.
SAWN TIMBER · Sawn Timber is sold in bulk to dealers and other buyers
from Government Saw Mills (Siliguri)and Madarihat Saw Mill (Jalpaiguri)
of WBFDCLtd.
· Major item of bulk sale is Sal sawn Timber, but Misc. species like
Teak, Champ, Dhupi etc. may also be sawn for selling in bulk according
to order.
· Retail Sales Centers of WBFDCLtd., for sale of sawn Timber are located
at Salt Lake (Kolkata), Durgapur, Midnapor, Purulia, Siliguri, Kalimpong
Darjeeling, Kurseong and Raigunj. Besides this WBFDCLtd., has dealers
who sell the sawn Timber from their shops at different places of West
Bengal.
· The timber from WBFDCLtd., is genuine and at reasonable rates.
·Sal Sawn Timber : Very hard and durable. Famous by its name ' Siliguri
Sal '. Can beat any other Sal in physical properties.
Non Timber Products
(Click here to know rates)
MOUBAN HONEY
· Guaranted 100% pure natural honey.
· Collected from the tiger infested Sunderban Tiger Reserve area and
then hygienically processed and bottled.The honey is excellent in
quality.
-It is available in shops throughout West Bengal.
· An attractive discount is offered to the stockists or distributors and
other bulk buyers.
· Interested parties may contact Divisional Manager, Marketing Division,
Kolkata.
BIO-FERTILIZERS
· In collaboration with M/s. Nirofix Laboratories WBFDCLtd., produces
two types of Bio-fertilizers - Azophos and Rhizophos.
· These biofertilizers are soil enriching natural substance containing
nitrogen.
· fixing and phosphate solubilizing microorganisms in a unique composite
culture.
· These products are backed by serious research and development works.
The laboratory is manned by well-reputed scientists in the
field.-Attractive discounts are also offered to stockists.
· Interested buyers and stockists having a good network of selling may
contact the Divisional Manager, Marketing Division.
CITRONELLA OIL
· Citronella Oil from Citronella grass, of Java variety grown in the
foot hills of North Bengal, is also produced in the distilleries of
WBFDCLtd.
· Citronella Oil is sold in retail from the Corporation outlets of Salt
Lake B.D. Market and the counter attached to the Marketing Division
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