Area overview

The map alongside shows the Khatra subdivision of Bankura district. Physiographically, this area is having uneven lands with hard rocks. In the Khatra CD block area there are some low hills. The Kangsabati project reservoir is prominently visible in the map. The subdued patches of shaded area in the map show forested areas^[1] It is an almost fully rural area.^[2]

Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivision. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.

Kangsabati project

Mukutmanipur Dam

Mukutmanipur Dam

Mukutmanipur Dam

In 1956, a giant water dam reservoir was planned at Mukutmanipur, [about 12 km from Khatra town in the district of Bankura, WB], under a big vision mooted by the then CM of Bengal Dr Bidhan Ch. Roy. The Mukutmanipur dam was planned to provide major irrigation facilities to 8,000 square kilometres of agricultural land, stretched across Bankura, Purulia, Paschim Medinipur and parts of upper Hooghly.^[3] Approximately two kilometres from the lake is the Bangopalpur Reserve Forest, a home of many species of flora and fauna.

Notable attractions

Approximately two kilometers from the lake is the Bangopalpur Reserve Forest, a home of many species of flora and fauna. Four kilometres from the dam is the ancient town of Ambikanagar, once an important place of pilgrimage for Jains.^[4] However, a flood destroyed most of what remained in 1898.^[5]

Mukutmanipur is home to a 10.8 km-long man-made mud-banked fresh water barrage. It canalises Kangshabati and Kumari rivers into the three drought affected districts of Bankura, Purulia and Midnapore for irrigation in the summer months.