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{{Short description|Wildlife sanctuary in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary
| alt_name = Kulik Bird Sanctuary
| iucn_category = IV
| image = File:Common Jezebel at Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Common Jezebel at Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary
| image_size =
| map = India West Bengal#India
| relief = 1
| mapframe = Yes
| location = [[West Bengal]], [[India]]
| nearest_city = [[Raiganj]]
| coordinates = {{coord|25.637|N|88.121|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| area = {{convert|1.3|km2}}
| established = 1985
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| governing_body = Forest Department, Govt. of West Bengal
}}
'''Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary''' (''Raegônj Bonnoprani Ôbhôearonno'') (also popularly known as '''Kulik Bird Sanctuary''') is situated near [[Raiganj]] in [[North Dinajpur district|Uttar Dinajpur district]] in the [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[West Bengal]]. The bird sanctuary is home to 164 species of birds, and some 90,000 to 100,000 [[bird migration|migratory birds]] visit the sanctuary every year. As per the MEE report, West Bengal<nowiki>''s Jaldapara national park and Raiganj wildlife sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh''</nowiki>s Sainj and Tirthan wildlife sanctuaries as well as the Great Himalayan national park have been declared as top five national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India.<ref name="Statesman1">{{cite web|url=http://ecologyasia.com/news-archives/2007/aug-07/sta_070807_1.htm |title=The Asian Open-billed Stork thrives in the Kulik Bird Sanctuary |access-date=2008-02-05 |publisher=ecologyasia.com |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928062751/http://ecologyasia.com/news-archives/2007/aug-07/sta_070807_1.htm |archive-date=28 September 2008 }}</ref><ref name="Statesman2">{{cite web | url = http://www.thestatesman.net/page.arcview.php?clid=31&id=192456&usrsess=1| title =A winged heritage site | access-date =2008-02-05 | last = Sharma| first = Arunayan | publisher = The Statesman, 3–4 August 2007}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

==Geography==
{{OSM Location map
|width=350| height=400| zoom=9
|coord={{coord|25|55|33|N|88|11|50|E}}| float=left|caption='''Cities and towns in the Uttar Dinajpur district'''<br/>M: municipal city/ town, CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, T: tourist centre <br/>Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly
|mark-coord1={{coord|25|37|25|N|88|7|12|E}} | label-pos1=right|label1=Raiganj | numbered1=M| mark-title1= [[Raiganj]] (M)|label-color1=#800000 |label-size1=13| mark-size1=13|shape1=l-circle|shape-color1=#800000|shape-outline1=white|label-offset-x1=2
|mark-coord2={{coord|26|14|12|N|88|12|0|E}} | label-pos2=right|label2=Islampur| numbered2=M| mark-title2= [[Islampur, Uttar Dinajpur]] (M)
|mark-coord3={{coord|25|37|48|N|88|19|12|E}} | label-pos3=bottom|label3=Kaliaganj| numbered3=M| mark-title3= [[Kaliaganj]] (M)
|mark-coord4={{coord|25|53|33|N|87|50|20|E}} | label-pos4=right|label4=Dalkhola| numbered4=M| mark-title4= [[Dalkhola]] (M)
|mark-coord5={{coord|26|22|23|N|88|18|27|E}} | label-pos5=right|label5=Chopra | numbered5=CT| mark-title5= [[Chopra, Uttar Dinajpur]] (CT)|shape-color5=#A40000
|mark-coord6={{coord|26|8|57|N|88|2|12|E}} | label-pos6=right|label6=Hanskunda | numbered6=CT| mark-title6= [[Hanskunda]] (CT)|shape-color6=#A40000
|mark-coord7={{coord|26|6|30|N|88|8|33|E}} | label-pos7=right|label7=Goalpokhar| numbered7=R| mark-title7= [[Goalpokhar]] (R)| shape-color7=#C42222
|mark-coord8={{coord|26|1|16|N|87|57|9|E}} | label-pos8=right|label8=Chakulia| numbered8=R| mark-title8= [[Chakulia, Uttar Dinajpur]] (R)| shape-color8=#C42222
|mark-coord9={{coord|25|50|3|N|87|55|6|E}} | label-pos9=right|label9=Karandighi| numbered9=R| mark-title9= [[Karandighi, Uttar Dinajpur]] (R)| shape-color9=#C42222
|mark-coord10={{coord|25|39|56|N|88|13|14|E}} | label-pos10=right|label10=Hemtabad| numbered10=R| mark-title10= [[Hemtabad, Uttar Dinajpur]] (R)| shape-color10=#C42222
|mark-coord11={{coord|25|35|56|N|88|6|0|E}} | label-pos11=left|label11=Nachhratpur|labela11= Katabari | numbered11=CT| mark-title11= [[Nachhratpur Katabari]] (CT)|shape-color11=#A40000
|mark-coord12={{coord|25|34|8|N|88|6|43|E}} | label-pos12=bottom|label12=Kasba | numbered12=CT| mark-title12= [[Kasba, Uttar Dinajpur]] (CT)|shape-color12=#A40000
|mark-coord13={{coord|25|27|31|N|88|10|20|E}} | label-pos13=right|label13=Itahar | numbered13=CT| mark-title13= [[Itahar, Uttar Dinajpur]] (CT)|shape-color13=#A40000
|mark-coord14={{coord|25|38|38|N|88|26|22|E}} | label-pos14=right|label14=Radhikapur|labela14=checkpoint| numbered14=R| mark-title14= [[Radhikapur]] (R)| shape-color14=#C42222
|mark-coord15={{coord|25|39|13|N|88|6|15|E}} | label-pos15=top|label15=Raiganj|labela15=Wildlife Sanctuary| numbered15=T|shape-color15=green| mark-title15= Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary (T)| label-size15=14|label-color15=black 
|mark-coord16={{coord|25.9613|88.0524}}| label16=India| label-color16 = black| label-angle16=-70| label-pos16=bottom| label-size16=10| mark-size16=0| mark-title16 =none
|mark-coord17={{coord|25.9513|88.1224}}| label17=Bangladesh| label-color17 = black| label-angle17=-70| label-pos17=bottom| label-size17=10| mark-size17=0| mark-title17 =none
|mark-coord18={{coord|25.7273|87.9392}}| label18=Bihar| label-color18 = black| label-angle18=40| label-pos18=bottom| label-size18=10| mark-size18=0| mark-title18 =none
|mark-coord19={{coord|25.7773|88.0162}}| label19=West | labela19= Bengal| label-color19 = black| label-angle19=40| label-pos19=bottom| label-size19=10| mark-size19=0| mark-title19 =none
|mark-coord20={{coord|26.2554|88.0234}}| label20=Mahananda River| label-color20 = #77A1CB| label-angle20=-40| label-pos20=top| label-size20=10| mark-size20=0| mark-title20 =none
}}

===Location===
It is located {{convert|4|km|abbr=on}} north from the centre of Raiganj town, the district headquarters. [[National Highway 12 (India)|National Highway 34]] runs beside the sanctuary.<ref name = "Statesman1"/><ref name = "Statesman2"/> Raiganj is {{convert|425|km|abbr=on}} from [[Kolkata]] and {{convert|181|km|abbr=on}} from [[Siliguri]].<ref name="NGO">{{cite web|url=http://www.638387.org/districts/northdinajpur.htm |title=Welcome to North Dinajpur district |access-date=2008-02-05 |publisher=638387.org, an Indian NGO initiative }}{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

<small>In the map alongside, all places marked on the map are linked in the full screen version.</small>

===Climate===
Temperature ([[degrees Celsius]]): summer - max. 39, min. 21; winter - max. 23, min. 6.<ref name = "NGO"/>
Rainfall: 1,550 mm (July to September).<ref name = "NGO"/>

==History==
The development of the area began in 1970, as part of the social forestry programme of the [[Government of West Bengal]]. The department planted tree species like [[Neolamarckia cadamba|kadam]], [[Lagerstroemia speciosa|jarul]], [[Dalbergia sissoo|sisoo]] (Dalbergia sisoo) and [[eucalyptus]] which were classified as tropical dry [[deciduous forest]]. With the Asian openbill and other species of migratory birds flocking to the artificial forest during the hatching season, it was officially designated as the "Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary" in the year 1985.<ref name = "Statesman1"/><ref name = "Statesman2"/>

==Sanctuary==
It is claimed by some to be the largest bird sanctuary in Asia.<ref name = "NGO"/> However, there are other claimants to that distinction, such as Harike Pattan sanctuary, spread over {{convert|93|sqmi|km2}}, in [[Tarn Taran district]] of [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.assamchronicle.com/content/view/10251/206/ |title=A visit to Harike Pattan bird sanctuary offers a joy of lifetime |access-date=2008-02-05 |publisher=The Assam Chronicle, 6 February 2008 |url-status = usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009092157/http://www.assamchronicle.com/content/view/10251/206/ |archive-date=9 October 2008 }}</ref> Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, now known as [[Keoladeo National Park]] is considered the largest in Asia.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.indianwildlifeportal.com/wildlife-sanctuaries/| title = Indian Wildlife Sanctuaries| access-date = 2008-02-05| last = Mukherjee| first = Arun| publisher = indianwildlifeportal| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080220003222/http://www.indianwildlifeportal.com/wildlife-sanctuaries/| archive-date = 20 February 2008|url-status = dead| df = dmy-all}}</ref>

Several types of migratory birds arrive here each year from South Asian countries and coastal regions. They start arriving from June. The migratory species includes [[Asian openbill stork|open-bill stork]]s, [[egret]]s, [[night heron]]s and [[cormorant]]s.<ref name="tourist2">{{cite web|url=http://www.wildbengal.com/sanctuaries/others.htm |title=Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary |access-date=2008-02-05 |work=Sanctuaries |publisher=Wild Bengal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080129145612/http://www.wildbengal.com/sanctuaries/others.htm |archive-date=2008-01-29 |url-status = dead}}</ref> The resident birds are [[Kite (bird)|kite]]s, [[Old World flycatcher|flycatcher]]s, [[owl]]s, [[kingfisher]]s, [[woodpecker]]s, [[drongo]]es, etc.<ref name = "tourist2"/>

According to a 2002 census, 77,012 birds visited the sanctuary that year.<ref name = "Statesman3">{{cite web | url = http://www.thestatesman.net/page.arcview.php?clid=30&id=111267&usrsess=1 | title = Wildlife: Raiganj Rendezvous | access-date = 2008-02-05 | last =Mukherjee | first =Arun | work = 8 th Day | publisher = The Statesman, 12 July 2005}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> Some 90,000 to 100,000 [[bird migration|migratory birds]] visit the sanctuary every year.<ref name="Statesman1" /><ref name = "Statesman2" />

Here is a description from a visitor: "On our way out from Kolkata to Raiganj, we were about to cross the bridge over the Kulik river on National Highway 34 when we saw hundreds of storks circling a patch of forest across the river. Intuitively, I knew we had arrived... Once up there (tourist lodge observatory)... we saw that all the 30-odd trees in the lodge compound were occupied by hundreds of open-billed storks... During our half-hour in the observatory, we saw flocks flying overhead carrying twigs to build their nests. Those that already had nests were busy sitting on eggs or tending to hatchlings. It was equally fascinating watching some taking time off from family chores to preen themselves and smooth ruffled feathers."<ref name = "Statesman3"/>

==Heronry==
'''Birds at the heronry'''

*[[Asian openbill stork]]
*[[Little egret]].
*[[Little cormorant]]
*[[Night heron]]
*[[Pond heron]]

The time of formation of heronry is July to December. Asian openbill storks generally start nesting during mid-June, though the migration depends upon the rain. If monsoon starts early, the Asian openbill comes early. The other four species start nesting in mid-May.<ref name = "Statesman1"/>

==Tourism==
The number of tourists visiting the sanctuary has been rising. The district administration has constructed the Raiganj Kulik Park close to the sanctuary, with the objective of enhancing the beauty of the area. Funds were collected from Border Area Development Project, MP Local Area Development Fund, Tenth Finance, Uttar Banga Unnayan Parshad, Rastriya Samavikash Yojona, National Food For Work and MLA Local Area Development Fund.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.thestatesman.net/page.arcview.php?clid=10&id=148052&usrsess=1| title = Tussle for Kulik revenue | access-date = 2008-02-05 | work = The Statesman |date= 20 June 2006}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

During the period from December to February, numerous visitors from districts of West Bengal and Bihar visit the sanctuary, and a large number of them organise picnics. They not only disturb the birds but also degrade the local environment. The Raiganj social forestry division has decided to construct a picnic spot at Bhattadighi nearby, with water facilities, some shades, toilets, a small park and a foot track.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.thestatesman.net/page.arcview.php?clid=10&id=208620&usrsess=1 | title = New picnic spot to save Kulick bird sanctuary | access-date = 2008-02-05 | work = The Statesman|date= 22 December 2007}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

In February 2011, a nature interpretation centre was added to Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary.{{Citation needed|date=October 2018}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Wikivoyage-inline|Raiganj}}

{{Protected areas of West Bengal}}
{{Bird Sanctuaries}}
{{Uttar Dinajpur topics}}

[[Category:Bird sanctuaries of West Bengal]]
[[Category:Uttar Dinajpur district]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1985]]
[[Category:Raiganj]]
[[Category:1985 establishments in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Lower Gangetic Plains moist deciduous forests]]

Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary - Revision history

Vishal Meena Phagi: added the post with sources - done