Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary

Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Kulik Bird Sanctuary, is situated near Raiganj in Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal and covers an area of about 1.3 square kilometers. It is renowned as a major bird sanctuary, hosting around 164 species of birds with approximately 70,000 to 100,000 migratory birds arriving annually from South Asian countries and coastal regions.

Migratory species include Asian openbill storks, egrets, night herons, and cormorants, while resident birds include kites, flycatchers, owls, kingfishers, and woodpeckers. The sanctuary was officially designated in 1985 after the development of the area began in 1970 through tree planting initiatives under a social forestry programme.

The sanctuary’s location near the Kulik River and its artificial canal network create an ideal habitat for birds, especially for the Asian openbill, which depends on apple snails abundant in the area. Raiganj is considered one of the most important heronries in India, supporting a significant percentage of the Asian openbill population. The sanctuary attracts many visitors, particularly from nearby regions, and has facilities including an observatory for birdwatching, making it a significant site for both conservation and ecotourism.