Rasikbil mini zoo in Cooch Behar district is set for a winter upgrade, with a new children’s play zone and additional storage facilities being developed to improve visitor amenities at the popular nature and wildlife destination.
The zilla parishad has provided children’s play equipment worth approximately ₹10 lakh to the state forest department. The department has taken up a separate project costing around ₹7 lakh to prepare the infrastructure needed to install the equipment, according to Asitava Chattopadhyay, divisional forest officer of the Cooch Behar forest division.
“A dedicated area has been identified for children’s recreational activities. The zilla parishad has provided play equipment worth approximately ₹10 lakh, which has already reached us. The department has taken up a project worth around ₹7 lakh to develop the infrastructure for installing the equipment,” Chattopadhyay said.
The play zone is expected to add a new attraction for families visiting Rasikbil during the winter season. The destination receives visitors for its wildlife facilities, wetland and surrounding forest areas, while students from schools in the region also visit for educational excursions and picnics.
Located in Tufanganj 2 block, about 37km from Cooch Behar town, Rasikbil covers approximately 175 hectares, including its waterbody and forested areas. Its wetland becomes a major draw during winter, when migratory birds arrive in large numbers. Nearly 40 species of migratory ducks are among the attractions identified at the site.
The mini zoo includes a leopard enclosure, a spotted deer park, a gharial rehabilitation centre, a python house, a turtle enclosure and an aviary. Visitors can also access an aquarium and a watchtower. The leopard enclosure is currently among the most popular attractions, while the waterbody and birdlife add a seasonal dimension to the destination.
The forest department has also taken up work to construct a storeroom and a godown at the site. These facilities are separate from the children’s play zone but form part of the wider visitor and site-support infrastructure being developed at Rasikbil.
The projects come ahead of the winter period, when the arrival of migratory birds and favourable weather typically increase visitor interest in the mini zoo and its surrounding wetland. The department’s immediate next step is to complete the infrastructure required for installing the play equipment and to proceed with the storeroom and godown construction.
