Durgotsav: Cleanup of forest area at Megha Muni Ashram in Kanksa Garhjangal

Asansol. The mythological Medhas Muni, also known as Megha Muni Ashram, is located in Garhjangal, Kanksa sub-division of Durgapur. Situated on the banks of the Ajay River, it finds mention in the Puranas. King Suratha and Samadhi Vaishya started Durga Puja here. Local BJP MLA Chandrashekhar Banerjee has proposed to the state government that it be developed on the lines of the Varanasi Corridor. Tourists visit almost throughout the year, and during Durgotsav, the crowd reaches lakhs. On the initiative of the police, its reserve forest area was cleaned up. To promote tourism, a conservation center for deer and peacocks was established in Deul in 1992. There are more than 100 deer in this area. Not only peacocks, but various other animals including egrets, rabbits, wild cats, and monkeys are also found in the forest. Crowds increase during the puja, hence strict monitoring is required. Local resident Subodh Laha said that due to the new road, the tourist rush has increased significantly. During holidays, there is a huge crowd to see this reserve forest. The temple of Goddess Shyamarupa is also located here. Nearby is the Ichhai Ghosh Temple, built by Ichhai Ghosh, a king of the Gop dynasty. The temple is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India. Police Officer Chandan Mishra said that a lot of plastic had accumulated in the forest, which was cleaned up by the beat officer and local club boys. Throwing plastic in the forest is a crime, and there is a need to be aware of this. Beat Officer Pinaki Bhattacharya said the message of a plastic ban has been propagated. Let wildlife live in their natural habitat. Tourists should visit the forest and experience nature. Extra surveillance will be in place during the puja.