Kodopal Eco Nest: The Green Char

Kodopal's Eco-Nest touristic spot is a unique name for leisure travel and mental peace & obvious choice for travellers and nature lovers. According to local sources, this delta of Dulung and Subarnarekha river was naturally formed around a hundred years ago. The area covered in dense bushes was a salacious place. 

This write-up is about my trip to Kodopal island (locally known as Majulir Char) where I spent a night. It describes the destination in detail and will help you plan a trip if you feel like visiting. 

How Kodopal was developed into a Eco Tourism green destination?

Kodopal a developed delta land at the confluence of river Subarnarekha and Dulung is situated near about 3 km far from block head quarter Rohini consisting around 400 acres of sandy fertile land. Previously this area was totally remained unidentified with many social taboos and malpractices. The fear of Maoist has fallen. Seasonal 'daily labor job' on agricultural land and 'Pub jatra' during off season was the story of maximum tribals living beside the golden stretch of Subarnarekha at Sankrail block in Jhargram. 

In quest of bringing them out of their vicious cycle in a convergence approach taken by Sankrail block administration and Panchayat Samiti around the virgin land between the two rivers Subranarekha and Dulung, the primary objective of this model project was to guarantee extra livelihood optimizing all local resources and the Govt run schemes. Gradually the vision extended up to a comprehensive project of production income into a Eco Tourism spot. It was named 'Kodopal Eco Nest and Biological Fruit Basket'. 

The project started with identification of 400 acre of new odd land. Before the year 2013 the total area was covered with bushy hedges and undulating sandy plants. After repeated interventions from different angles through 100 days work like trench cutting, filed binding and land preparation etc. this project was planned to give a proper shape through different inter departmental convergence approaches. 200 acres of this land has orchards of various kinds of fruits and medicinal plants. The farm has provided employment opportunities to 250 tribal and indigenous families in seven villages of the area.

Kodopal has been developed as a nature tourism hub with the aim of creating more employment. 8 spacious luxury tourist cottages have been built. There is also a watch tower named 'Nazar Minar' from where the natural beauty can be seen. Unconventional energy is being used throughout the project. Tourist cottages are illuminated in the evening by solar power and filtered water has also been provided in the area.

My trip to Kodopal Island:

I started my journey with my team towards Kodopal from Kolkata in the wee hours of the morning. I will be travelling on NH 16 towards Kharagpur town and then taking NH 49 towards Sankrail (180 km / 5 to 6 hrs with stops). On my way I stopped near Kolaghat to have breakfast and then continued on towards my destination. 

At around 1 pm I reached Sankrail and had my lunch in a small restaurant. Before arranging for the trip I had contacted the owner of this restaurant to provide catering during my one night stay in Kodopal island. There are no food options if you intend to stay at Kodopal Eco Nest. You have to either arrange everything yourself or contact this person to provide meals and ferrying of luggage till the cottage. After a belly full meal we went towards Subarnarekha river to cross and set foot on Kodopal island. There was a wooden bridge connecting the island with the main land but it was washed away by the raging river in the monsoon. Post monsoon, boats are used to ferry tourists when the water level still remain high. It was the month of February and the river was near dry with patches of small streams knee to waist deep at some places, but it can be crossed by foot as most places had ankle deep water. We hiked on the dried up sandy river bed and then crossed the river, where there was less water. Carefully negotiating out our puzzling trail towards the island. 

NOTE: A permanent bridge was on the cards, I don't know if its built at present.

The Golden sands of Subarnarekha river

Crossing the river on foot

Crossing the river I reached the main entrance gate of Kodopal Eco Nest. From here its a 2 km hike towards the cottages on a dirt path bordering various kinds of trees and plants. The area is very natural with ample greenery everywhere and the walk was very enjoying because of the pleasant weather. As we were walking towards the cottages, I heard clanging of bells and saw a bullock cart coming behind us and it was laden with all our luggage, catering utensils and cooking equipment's. We spotted some watch towers built at different places on the island. After a leisurely walk we reached our cottages. 

The cottages looked very beautiful in the landscape setting with 4 on the right and 4 on the left. There was a small circular stage at the middle, statues of tribal folk and animals and a swing to beautify the area. Its was still in development stage, so I guess many more things will be added as people keep visiting. The place is visited more by day trippers and thronged by local picnickers during winter season, but its worth spending a night if you can adjust with the staying conditions.

view from the tower

Some of the team members were a bit tired after the hike but most of the rooms were still closed. They had information that a group was coming but somehow they forgot to bring in all the keys of the cottages. It was afternoon and the sun was glaring and we needed to cool off a bit, the area around the cottages had no shady trees nor any place with a shade. We had to wait another 45 min for them to show up with the keys. Anyways these are all parts of a trip, things can go up and down anytime, its quite natural. 

The cottages were named after different rivers and tributaries of Jhargram. From the inside they were very spacious with ample space. Electricity is a major problem in here as its depends totally on solar energy, so once we were inside the lights, fans and the air conditioners were not working. They have a big 25 Kva diesel power generator but its used sparingly and switched on mostly after sunset, but due to the electric scarcity its turned on and off many times after dark. After midnight its switched off totally. 

The Power Generator

Most of us cooled off with a bath and after a short refreshment we went out to explore the area. We climbed to the top of the water tank cum watchtower on the cottage premises to get a better view of the surroundings and enjoy the breathtaking sunset which looked red like a carnivorous flower. During the onset of winter season one can find different species of birds in this area, so anyone keen in birding will love this place. The whole area is also draped with colourful flowers in the winters and during spring the whole island is red with flowers of Palash tree (Bastard Teak). The monsoons are green and green everywhere but it rains heavily and the river water swells up, there's also fear of many poisonous snakes on this island. 

A makeshift kitchen was set up near the generator where the catering staff will be cooking all our delicacies and just after sunset we were served with tea, masala muri and beguni (Puffed rice mixed with spices and Eggplant batter fry). Before the trip I planned out with the caterer about the meal and food preferences and trust me, their cooking style will make your taste buds tingle with delight. 

The makeshift kitchen

Later we got ready with torches and set out to explore the interior of the island in the pitch dark night. There were some watchtowers but almost all of them were under lock and key. We walked for almost an hour and we couldn't find anyone else staying in the island except for us. The night was a bit chilly albeit pleasant. We returned to the camp to have dinner. The cooking staff arranged our dinner spread in a beautiful way with well decorated tables and chairs, but the food was really finger licking good. After a hearty dinner I retired for the night for a good nights sleep, but I couldn't get a wink of sleep till midnight as there were hundreds of mosquitoes in the room and on top of that the lights and fan wasn't working as the generator was switched off.

NOTE: If your coming here for a night stay, always bring mosquito repellents like ointments or coils if not, the blood suckers will suck out all your blood. 😁

After a very uneasy sleep, I woke up early morning and found the entire area was covered in a light blanket of fog and the weather was bit chilly. The birds also woke up and we could hear different varieties of them calling everywhere. One of the management staff took us to show us around the island about the various trees and flowering plants. It was wonderful to see how this desolate piece of land in the middle of the river was turned green with so many varieties of flora and fruit bearing and medicinal trees. There's not much to do in Kodopal other than admiring nature at its best and simply just lazying around or you can do birding if you are keen in it or just gather your friends and close ones and have an overnight picnic of sorts.

paths through the various gardens

We left Kodopal after lunch and as always the caterer decked up a grand feast for us cooking up local delicacies.

NOTE: Would highly recommend you this caterer if you are interested to stay in Kodopal. You will love it, trust me.

having our lunch at Kodopal 

Our luggage were again loaded in the bullock cart to be ferried off till our vehicle which was waiting for us on the banks of the Subarnarekha river. We boarded our vehicle and on our way to visit Rameshwar Temple nearby. 

crossing the Subarnarekha 

luggage being ferried on bullock cart

Our vehicle waiting on the banks 

Rameshwar temple is very near to Gopiballavpur under Jhargram divison and from Kodopal its only about 8 km away. No one really knows when this temple was built but looking at it makes you think its very old. It bears the characteristics of Orissa style of architecture. There are several ruined pillars standing side by side like sentinels. According to the local lore it is said that Sita asked Rama to construct the temple and was built by Viswakarma. But, there's no mention of this temple anywhere in Ramayana. It's a Shiva temple and there is a small Shiva Lingam inside the main sanctum. 

The temple is not much awe inspiring to look at but the landscape is very attractive and scenic. The beautiful Subarnarekha flows past this temple at the border of West Bengal and Odisha. The river in Bengali means the golden line or golden streak, is born on the Chhotanagpur plateau. It passes through the western part of Bengal before emptying into the Bay of Bengal near Talsari in Odisha. Previously the river used to flow just by the temple now its a 5 minute walk from the temple premises. The banks are just lovely during autumn when rows of white Kashphool (Kans Grass) blooms. There is a place to stay overnight near the temple known as Rameshwar Athiti Niwas. After spending some time around the temple we left for our journey back home. In all it was a refreshing weekend trip in the lap of mother nature. 

Rameshwar Athiti Niwas

Conclusion on Kodopal Eco Nest:

🔰As this place is still in the development stage a lot of work is left to be done and might take years with proper planning and execution in order to boost tourism.

🔰 The rooms are neat and clean with proper upkeep for a night stay but be prepared for nights in darkness as electricity is a major problem in here. Its fully dependent on solar energy. Do carry torches and candles along with you.

🔰 If you want to stay for a night then you have to plan for food and drinking water and other necessities with a caterer / decorator.

🔰 If you are travelling in a big group then the luggage needs to be ferried till the cottages in a bullock cart which you can hire by contacting the decorator.

🔰 There are 8 cottages with accommodation for 16 people but each bed can comfortably sleep 3. So, travelling with maximum 24 people wont be a problem also. Also do keep in mind that the management cannot provide you with extra pillows and blankets.

🔰 The bathrooms are neat and clean with provision for hot water but as electricity is scarce the geysers do not work and sometimes running water is not readily available too.

🔰 Do pack and carry your own towels, soap, mosquito repellents like ointments and coils and other personal necessities. A mosquito net might help you to have a good night sleep. There are no shops on the island.

🔆 Use only the main path / road while on the island. Do not go inside the gardens or off route without a management personnel. Plucking of flowers and fruits are strictly prohibited. As its a green zone so kindly do not litter the place with plastic and thermocol.

How to book Kodopal Eco Nest? 

🔰 Sankrail Block Development Office (BDO) 

Rohini, Sub Divison: Jhargram

District: Paschim Mednipore

West Bengal 721143

Phone: 87685 62505

Tariff: Rs.2000/- for each cottage. No charges for extra heads (max 3 people in one cottage). If you are 4 people you need to book 2 cottages. 

🔰 You can also contact the decorator & catering owner of Srijani Fast Food Plaza & Restaurant located in Rohini just near to the BDO. The owner by the name of Suvro can arrange everything from booking of the cottages, arranging a bullock cart and looking after your catering needs. He is a very capable and trustworthy person. 

Click the Google Map link for Srijani Restaurant (Rohini) 

Phone: 90642 52884 (Suvro)

Dear readers, hope you liked reading about a very offbeat weekend destination. 

Do provide suggestions and feedback in the comments section.