Chintamoni Kar Bird Sanctuary

Seventeen acres of old orchard-forest about 20 km south of the centre, saved by the sculptor Chintamoni Kar together with local naturalists and given sanctuary status in 1982, though people nearby still call it Kayaler Bagan. More than 150 bird species have been logged here, including orioles, flycatchers and winter woodcock, alongside butterflies, ferns, civets and monitor lizards. Kavi Nazrul metro plus a short auto ride gets you there; go at first light.

Real forest at the end of the metro line, kept quiet and known mostly to birders