West Midnapore District in West Bengal is a dull place with diagonally opposite climate jumps and is also possessing one of the most humid atmosphere in the whole of Planet Earth. The summer there is literally unbearable even for the permanent residents of the place. Add to these some prosaic terrains, National and State Highways with gutters akin to lunar craters, the smoke, the soot, closed shops for many hours afternoon, Maoist forests, etc. If the Hangover guys get hungover there, even Alan Garner will not be cherishing those memories. The travel connoisseurs of IIT Kharagpur and Midnapore Medical College are in such bad luck. Sometimes I feel like I am literally being guillotined during freedays.
Of course the city that had been the country's capital for the most number of years is like only 2-3 hours away if you take a train. But it is entirely a different district altogether and the journey is an arduous one. Then there is Jhargram with its Jhargram Palace which is not open to visitors. Arabari Forest Range is another one, but Western Ghats lovers will find it incredibly boring. Considering all these, Gopegarh Ecopark in Midnapore is a boon to many.
The Gopegarh Ecopark is situated about 25 km North of Kharagpur and 5 km from Midnapore. The park was once a fort of a Gope King. The ruins of the ancient fort is still there. The entry fee is surprisingly only Rs. 2 and there is ample space for parking. The eastern side side of the parking is nothing special and all you can see there is some less densely populated tree plantations, mostly Sal trees and a lake with nothing but murky water. Boating service is offered, but it is best to assume that it is non-existent.
The situation is entirely different on the western side of the park. It is very well maintained, peaceful with lush green gardens, ruins of the ancient fort, two cottages which is available for rent, one canteen and a reasonably enjoyable amusement park. The tariff for cottages is Rs. 500 per head and are air conditioned. But the booking has to be done in Midnapore Forest Divisional Office (not exactly sure about the name of the office, but the workers over there said so). One troublesome fact is that barely any employees speak Hindi or English. Still, the park guarantees a lovely outing to many.
Uploading some of the pictures that I took:
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| The Lake |
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| The pleasing western side of the park |
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| The cottages |
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