One of the largest Eco-tourism parks in India has come up in Kolkata, the City of Joy, and the capital of West Bengal. Covering a total area of 190 hectares, the park is located in New Town in Rajarhat. It is an artificial island body since it is surrounded on all sides by 42 hectares of water bodies. A perfect hotspot for weekenders, it is also a top tourist attraction in the city today. Locally, the Eco Park, Kolkata, is also called Prakriti Tirtha.
Eco Park Kolkata History
Ms Mamta Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, came up with the idea to create an Eco-tourism park in Rajarhat in 2011. The work was commissioned to WBHIDCO or the West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation. The entire project was supervised by WBHIDCO, from designing to executing the site designs.
Ms Banerjee officially inaugurated the Park in 2012, and from 2013 onwards, the Park has been accessible to visitors. The entire area is divided into three divisions – Open spaces that are meant for recreation, Ecological Zone, and Themed gardens. There are conference halls that are rented out to corporates for training sessions, conferences, etc. There are cottages too that can be hired for night stays.
The park has been designed in a way that it plays a significant role in sustainability, preserving the natural landscape and reducing the effects of pollution in the surroundings. It also promotes the idea of open urban space for recreational purposes.
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Eco Park Kolkata Details
The Eco Park acts as a rejuvenating factor for the residents of Kolkata, offering respite from the daily hustle and bustle. That is why the place is quite crowded during weekends. People of all ages find the place interesting as there’s some or the other place/activity they can indulge in. Adventure activities at the park involve rowing, kayaking, speed boat rides, paddle boating, zorbing, cycling, etc.
The landscape of the Eco Park acts as a perfect retreat for people who love nature. Added attractions here include the laser show and the musical fountain that lit up in the evenings. There are food kiosks inside the premises at designated places throughout the park.
Eco Park Kolkata Details at a Glimpse
Area of the Eco Park Kolkata: 190 hectares
Divisions: Three
Waterbody: Yes. Man-made lake covering 42 hectares
Eco Park Kolkata Ticket price: Rs. 30/- per person for people above the age of three years. Applicable for both Indians and foreigners.
Eco Park Timing Kolkata:
- Summer Timing (1st March to 31st October)
- Tuesday to Sunday: 12:30 PM. to 8:30 P.M.
- Sunday & Holidays: 12 Noon. to 8:30 P.M.
- Winter Timings: (1st November to 28th February)
- Tuesday to Saturday: 12 Noon. to 7:30 P.M.
- Sunday & Holidays: 11 AM. to 7:30 P.M.
- Closed On: Monday
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Eco Park Kolkata Major Attractions
The Eco-tourism park in Kolkata has some major attractions for visitors. Nature lovers love soaking in the beauty of this park. Here are a few major Eco Park attractions that will always stay in your memory.
A. Themed Gardens & Ecological Zone
1. Butterfly Garden
Visitors can catch the view of hundreds of butterfly species here. The garden is inside a dome-shaped structure where only such plants can be seen that attract butterflies. It is the best replica of the natural habitat of butterflies.
2. Tea Garden
This garden is spread across one acre of land covered with soil from the Dooars in North Bengal. The design of the garden was done by Andrew Yule & Company.
3. Bamboo Garden
This area is earmarked for bamboo plantations; visitors can see bamboo ranging from grass to giant shoots.
4. Mask Garden
For those who love masks, this is a must-visit place. It is home to innumerable masks of different shapes, sizes, and designs from West Bengal and other places.
5. Formal Garden
This garden area is full of innovative gardening ideas that visitors can take back. The vertical gardening structure surrounded by a flat plain land is a feature of this garden.
6. Meadow Garden
This garden is home to several flowering species and is located near the waterfront.
7. Fruit Garden
This place is home to trees from across West Bengal that are known for their delicious and tasty fruits.
8. Rose Garden
This place is a must-stopover for rose enthusiasts as rose shrubs surround the entire walkway.
9. Rabi Aranya
As the name suggests, this garden is dedicated to Rabindranath Tagore. Trees, herbs, and shrubs are mentioned in his work. There's a lotus pond, benches, etc., all recreated to replicate the ambience of Shantiniketan.
10. Sculpture Garden
This place takes visitors on a discovery route through sculptures of the last two centuries.
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B. Recreational Hotspots in Eco Park Kolkata
11. Food Court
To facilitate dining options for visitors, the Food Court has about 20 Food Kiosks serving different cuisines and eatables.
12. Adda Zone
The Zone is right opposite the Artists Cottage. Some benches overlook the waterbody. People love to sit here for hours, enjoying the scenic beauty and chatting with friends and family.
13. Artists Cottage
This is a perfect place - an artist’s haven. The Ecosystem of the place is inspirational for the creative juices to flow. The Cottage is located alongside Flower Lake.
14. Seven Wonders of The World
Visitors who are still to see all the seven wonders of the world (old) can drop by Eco Park Kolkata. There's a replica created of all seven classical structures, including the Taj Mahal, the Eiffel Tower, The Great Wall of China, the Colosseum, and more.
15. Biswa Bangla Haat
The Haat is one of the ideal ways to catch a glimpse of the local handicrafts of West Bengal. Visitors can buy fresh produce at the Shopping Arcade.
16. Children’s Park
This entire area is dedicated to kids with play areas, fountains, green gardens, etc., for them to play and enjoy.
17. Graffiti Walls
Along the parking on the southern side of the park is the Graffiti Wall bearing artwork by artists like Subha Prasanna and Jogen Chowdhury.
18. Urban Museum or Sangraha
This place showcases an amazing collection of local artworks generally used during Durga Puja to decorate the pandals.
19. Lake Front Promenade
The paved place is surrounded by coconut trees and is one of the best places to sit and enjoy nature’s freshness.
Things to Do in Eco Park Kolkata
Besides the natural parks and gardens, there are plenty of activities that visitors can be a part of. These include:
1. E-bike Rides*
The rides cost Rs. 150 per person. Visitors can go for a ten-minute ride on e-scooters and e-bikes to experience first-hand how these vehicles run on electricity.
2. Eco Cart Rides*
Visitors not keen to walk can take the Eco-cart to take them from Counter 1 to the Kids’ Park area. It’s not free, though; the per person per ride rate is Rs. 100.
3. Gaming Zone*
Visitors who are gaming nerds can spend some time at the Gaming Zone, perfecting their shots and acumen. The rate is Rs. 50 per person, and the duration is an hour.
4. Toy Train Ride*
The entire park is covered with toy train tracks. The ticket cost is Rs. 150 per person, and the trip takes about 25 minutes.
5. Cycling*
The entire family can go cycling here. Baby cycling is charged Rs. 70 per person, solo cycling is charged Rs. 150 per person, and duo cycling costs Rs. 150 per person. The rides are for half an hour each.
6. Paint Ball*
It's a game that is charged at Rs. 50 for 5 balls. This fun game is liked and enjoyed by people of all age groups.
7. Bird Watching*
This is where visitors can indulge in catching glimpses of various bird species. The tickets are charged Rs. 10 per person to enter the place.
8. Boating*
One of the main attractions of Eco Park Kolkata is boating activity. Thanks to the 42 acres of waterbody surrounding the park, enthusiasts can go boating individually or in groups. The cost varies depending on the kind of boating trips booked and ranges between Rs. 50 and Rs. 300 per person.
9. Zorbing*
Visitors can travel on land or water in Zorbing balls at the park. The cost is Rs. 200 per person for land zorbing covering 200 meters and Rs. 150 per person for water zorbing in khajjiar for a duration of 30 minutes.
10. Ice Skating*
There's an ice-skating rink where visitors can try skating after paying Rs. 150 per person.
11. Rifle Shooting*
Visitors can try their hands at shooting. The cost is Rs. 50 per person for every ten shots.
12. Archery*
There's an Archery Range in the Eco Park. The cost is Rs. 70 per person for every 5 arrows.
*Prices may vary as per changing establishment rules
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How to Reach Eco Park Kolkata
Located on the Major Arterial Road in Action Area II of New Town, Eco Park is about 10 km from the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport. The Park is well-connected with all parts of Kolkata via the EM Bypass and the VIP Road. Here are the best ways to reach Eco Park Kolkata:
- Nearest Major City. Haldia
- Nearest Airport. Netaji Subhas Chandra International Airport, Kolkata
- Nearest Railway Station. Sealdah Station
- Distance From Haldia. 62.6 km
By Air. The nearest airport is the Netaji Subhas Chandra International Airport at Dum Dum. Eco Park Kolkata is about 10 km from the Airport. Visitors can book a cab or a three-wheeler or take a bus to the park.
- Distance From Netaji Subhas Chandra International Airport, Kolkata. 10 km
Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Eco Park Kolkata
Click Here to Book Flight Tickets
By Train. Sealdah railway station is the nearest railway station. It is about 14.9 km from the station. Visitors can hire a taxi or a three-wheeler or take a bus to the park. Visitors can also take the metro from Raja bazaar station (near Sealdah) to Dum Dum and take a cab to Eco Park.
- Distance From Sealdah Railway Station. 14.9 km
By Road. Kolkata is one of the major cities in the country. It is known for its amazing attractions and trade, and business. Thus, Kolkata experiences a heavy influx of visitors every year. The city is well-connected by well-metalled national and state highways. Visitors can travel to Eco Park Kolkata from nearby places, cities, and suburbs by bus, car, taxi, or cab. The nearest bus stop is the Jatragachi Bus Stand, about 4.9 km away.
- Distance from Howrah. 6 km
- Distance from Haldia. 62.6 km
- Distance from Kharagpur. 111.2 km
- Distance from Durgapur. 169 km
- Distance from Mandarmani. 121 km
- Distance from Asansol. 189.2 km
- Distance from Jamshedpur. 225.6 km
- Distance from Dhanbad. 239.8 km
- Distance from Delhi. 1554.6 km
- Distance from Chennai. 1662.9 km
- Distance from Bengaluru. 1870.3 km
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Frequently Asked Questions About Eco Park Kolkata
Ques 1. What is the Eco Park Kolkata Ticket Price?
Ans 1. The Eco Park Kolkata entry fee is Rs. 30 per person. All people aged three years or above can enter the Park only after buying the entry tickets.
Ques 2. What is special about Eco Park Kolkata?
Ans 2. Eco Park Kolkata is one of its kind Ecological park in Eastern India. It is one of the largest urban parks in the country that promotes Eco-tourism in India. Spread over 190 acres of land, the park is surrounded by a man-made waterbody or lake covering 42 acres. The entire area has been divided to enclose numerous gardens, grasslands, wetlands, open spaces, urban forests, and urban recreational spaces.
Ques 3. Is food allowed in Eco Park Kolkata?
Ans 3. Outside food is not allowed inside Eco Park Kolkata. There is a specialized Food Court with 20 food kiosks serving various kinds of food.
Ques 4. Is a morning walk allowed in Eco Park?
Ans 4. A morning walk is permitted inside Eco Park Kolkata.
Ques 5. Why Eco Park is famous?
Ans 5. The Eco Park Kolkata is famous for its theme parks like the Butterfly Garden, Rabindra Aranya, etc. There’s also the water body where numerous activities can be tried. Other than that, there are grasslands, Kids’ Zone, Lake Front Promenade, Adda Zone, Artists Cottage, and more.
Ques 6. Which gate is best for Eco Park?
Ans 6. All the Seven wonders are closer to Gate No. 4. Otherwise, four more gates are equally good for starting your tour of Eco Park Kolkata.
Ques 7. What is the best time to visit Eco Park?
Ans 7. The best time to visit Eco Park is the winter season, between October and February. If visiting the park during the summer season, visitors should try to reach the place in the morning or the evening.
Ques 8. How much do Eco Park tickets Price?
Ans 8. The Price of Eco Park tickets can vary depending on the specific park and the types of amenities offered. Here's a general guide to the pricing of Eco Park tickets in INR:
- Adult Entry - Typically, Eco Park tickets for adults range from INR 50 to INR 150, depending on the facilities and events available in the park.
- Children Entry - For children, Eco Park tickets are often priced lower, from INR 20 to INR 100. Some parks also offer free entry for children below a certain age.
- Senior Citizens - Discounts are usually available for senior citizens, with tickets ranging from INR 30 to INR 100.
- Group Discounts - Eco parks often offer discounts for large groups or school trips, which might require prior booking.
- Special Attractions - Additional charges may apply for special attractions within the Eco Park, such as boating, specialized tours, or adventure activities, typically ranging from INR 50 to INR 200.
- Season Passes - Some Eco Parks offer season passes for frequent visitors, which can be a cost-effective option for those planning multiple visits, with prices ranging from INR 500 to INR 2000.
Ques 9. What are the opening hours for Eco Park?
Ans 9. The Eco Park timings typically vary depending on the season and day of the week. Generally, Eco Park opens at around 9:00 AM and closes at 6:00 PM. During weekends and public holidays, these timings may extend to accommodate more visitors, often remaining open until 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM. It's advisable to check the specific Eco Park timings on their official website or contact the park directly before planning your visit, as special events or seasonal changes might affect these hours.
