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The forest of Jhilimili lies near the meeting point of the three districts of Bankura, Purulia and Midnapur. It is as beautiful as its name, which suggests 'sparkle' or 'twinkle'. Jhilimili is a quiet place, and makes for a pleasant getaway for city-dwellers.

Jhilimili, as the name suggests, is a sparkling place where sunrays filter through the leaves during most of the year. The twitter of birds emphasises the silence that enfolds the place. The gently rippling Kasai River playfully meanders through the forest.

Largely free of dangerous animals, Jhilmili however becomes a terror when wild elephants come down from the Dolma Hills in winter. The watchtower at Jhilimili offers a commanding view of the surrounding area. When it is time for the elephants to descend, the watchtower is the safest place to watch them from.

During mid-January, the tribals celebrate Tusu Parab, when the Goddess Tusu is worshipped. Hundreds of tribal folk gather at Jhilimili this time of the year to fill. the air with strains of folk music..
In the outskirts of Jhilimili is a large waterbody at Talberia, which is a popular spot for picnickers. Also close to Jhilimili are Ranibandh and Mukutmanipur. 

How To Get There 
Government buses leave Calcutta from the Shahid Minar bus stand at 10 p.m., reaching Jhilimili in the early hours of morning. These buses go via Mukutmanipur and Ranibandh. There are also buses plying between Jhargram (in the district of Midnapur) and Jhilimili.

Set in sylvan surroundings, Ranibandh in south Bankura, is a forest area spread over a dozen hills. Shaal, mahua, shishu, kendu, palash and arjun trees fill the landscape. Tribal settlements dot the area. Atop a nearby hill, is the idol of the God worshipped by the tribals. The view of the Kangsabati River from the hilltop is breathtaking. 

Lodging facilities are available at the Ranibandh Forest Rest House and the Zilla Parishad Bungalow. 

At an altitude of 2,350 m., the small village of Lava remains hidden in mists and clouds. It is situated on the old trade route to Bhutan, at a distance of 34 km. from Kalimpong. 

There is a monastery of Bhutanese origin and a Nature Interpretation Centre in Lava. There is also a quaint little bazaar. Surrounded by virgin pine forests, Lava is popular for nature explorations and bird watching. It is also the starting point for treks to the Neora Valley National Park, a storehouse of flora and fauna, leading to the 3,152-m. high Rachela trijunction. Here the borders of Bhutan, Sikkim and West Bengal converge. One also gets a panoramic view of the Chola Range. 

How To Get There 
By road, Lava is a two-hour journey from Kalimpong. Buses ply regularly, and jeeps are also available, though somewhat infrequently. 

The lonely hamlet of Lolegaon is 59 km. away from Kalimpong, and 25 km. from Lava. A recent favourite on the tourism map, Lolegaon is locally known as Kaffer. 

Lolegaon stands along a lovely forest drive. It has a heritage forest and an observation point called Jhandi Dara, for viewing the snow peaks of the Singalila Range. According to some, it offers an even better view of the sunrise than Tiger Hill. 

How To Get There 
Daily bus trips to Lolegaon are available from Kalimpong. Jeeps and cars can also be hired from private operators. 

Belpahari, 45 km. from Jhargram, presents a forest paradise under the Dolma Hills. The densely wooded foothills at Belpahari contain a comprehensive variety of tropical trees. Hardwood varieties in the forests of Belpahari include shaal, mahua, piyal, sonajhuri, jhau or casuarina pine, shirish and eucalyptus.

Belpahari town has a small bazaar and a modest three-room Forest Rest House. A week's accommodation can be booked through the Divisional Forest Office of West Midnapur at Jhargram. Regular buses from Jhargram are available to Belpahari, Tamajurhi and Jhilimili.

Banshpahari, a natural forest, is just 25 km. from Belpahari. It is primarily a tribal habitat. Information for overnight accommodation at Banshpahari is available with the Forest Information Bureau at Jhargram. 

A nine-kilometre trek from Belpahari, Ghagra is an enchanting land of green hills surrounding dense groves of shaal and eucalyptus trees. A favourite spot is where the 18.3-m. high Tarafeny waterfall cascades down on boulders below. A short distance downstream is the Tarafeny Barrage. Wild elephants are reputed to inhabit the forests of Ghagra.

Kankrajhor is a trekking wonderland in the tropical, hilly forestlands of Midnapur. 'Kankra' means 'hills', while 'jhor' means jungles and forests. Kankrajhor comprises of 9,000 hectares of hardwood trees including kusum, shaal, segun or teak, mahua and akashmani. Cashew nuts, coffee and oranges are cultivated at Kankrajhor.

The Dolma Hills of Kankrajhor have witnessed nocturnal visits from wildlife from Bihar, including tigers, leopards and elephants. Bears and wild boars regular stray to the hills in search of mahua tree sap. The sap is a potent intoxicant and is used to make country liquor.

Nights at Kankrajhor resound with the throb of adivasi drums. The steady rhythms of Mridanga and Madal drumbeats waft in from the surrounding tribal settlements. 

A moonlit night at Kankrajhor is very beautiful. Year round visits are possible, though the steamy summer season should be avoided. 

How To Get There 
A Tamajhuri-bound bus from Belpahari reaches Bholabheda after a ten-km. run. Trekkers to Kankrajhor alight at Bholabheda. An 18-km. stretch leads to the Kankrajhor Forest Rest House. 
Kankrajhor also connects with Ghatshila in Bihar by road.

The forests at Kendugarh reveal the stark wilderness and awesome beauty of shaal trees. Kendugarh is 78 km. away from Jhargram. 

How To Get There
A Gopiballavpur-bound bus from Kendugarh leads to a bus transfer to Kharagpur.

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