Mamata’s tryst with nature
July 19th, 2011 - 8:39 pm ICT by IANS
Sukna (West Bengal), July 19 (IANS) After inking the Darjeeling accord to pave the way for peace in the turbulent hills of north Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee spent some quiet moments in the arms of nature as she trekked through a wildlife park here.
Banerjee on Monday walked deep into the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas in this charming locale of Darjeeling district accompanied by two forest officers. She instructed her guards to stay behind.
As she trekked deeper into the jungle, the nature lover in her came to the fore. She enquired about the various bird species and trees and plants.
Admiring the various species of plants, she asked the forest officer: “Can’t some research be done on these plants? Only if we can set up a research centre…”
She also discussed with the forest officers ways to prevent the death of elephants hit by trains. Several elephants have been killed in the jungle, being run over by speeding mail and express trains.
Sporting her trademark slippers (hawai chappals), she trekked along to reach the Mahananda river. Splashing water on her face, Banerjee sat on a rock to take a break. She had by then walked four km.
Banerjee seemed totally overcome by the tranquility of the forest, the chirping of birds, and the flowing Mahananda. Only the occasional call of animals broke the serenity. She stood on the bank for a long while, casting stones into the river at times.
She also chatted with other Trinamool Congress leaders and Forest Minister Hiten Burman who by now had reached there looking for her.
She suggested to the forest minister that a tourist spot be created there, and instructed him to send her the papers after making the requisite studies.
Her words, “This is the place where peace dwells”, perhaps are a testimony to the fact that she enjoyed every moment of her solitude with nature.
- Mamata visits wildlife part, to sign accord Monday - Jul 17, 2011
- One tusker killed, one critically injured as trains hit them - Nov 16, 2010
- Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary in West Bengal promotes eco-tourism - Sep 17, 2010
- Railways not responsible for elephant deaths: Mamata - Nov 16, 2010
- Himachal to count its feathered guests this month - Jan 29, 2012
- Wildlife guard killed by elephant - Jan 11, 2012
- Mamata's sops to 'turn Darjeeling into Switzerland' - Oct 11, 2011
- Can sacrifice our lives, but won't part with Darjeeling: Mamata Roundup) - Oct 12, 2011
- Darjeeling tripartite accord on July 18: Mamata - Jul 15, 2011
- Two elephants shifted to Bengdubi to search for injured elephant - Aug 05, 2010
- Leopard injures six, shot dead - Jul 20, 2011
- Mamata enjoys relaxing day at Sundarbans - Feb 02, 2012
- Young techie trampled to death by tuskers near Bangalore - Jul 17, 2012
- Darjeeling tripartite accord signed (Lead) - Jul 18, 2011
- Twitterati target Mamata regime for professor's arrest - Apr 13, 2012
Tags: burman, casting stones, congress leaders, eastern himalayas, express trains, forest minister, forest officer, forest officers, hiten, mail, mamata banerjee, nature lover, north bengal, quiet moments, splashing water, tourist spot, trees and plants, trinamool congress, west bengal, wildlife sanctuary