A popular destination for birdwatchers in Cooch Behar district hardly sees any footfall owing to its potholed connecting road, a 9km-long stretch of the state highway.
Every year in winter, Rashik Beel, the water body at the location on the Bengal-Assam border, sees migrant birds of various species. Near it is a mini zoo, which houses deer, leopards, snakes, peacocks and wild cats.
“People from different locations of north Bengal and neighbouring Assam would formerly visit Rashik Beel in large numbers during winter to see migrant birds and the zoo animals. But this year, hardly two or three groups can be seen. People simply avoid the bad highway to come here,” said Bikram Barman, a resident.
