Madhabpur Lake

Madhabpur is a lake inside a tea estate in the hills south of Srimangal, held in a fold between slopes planted with tea, with forest above and lotus and water lily across parts of the surface in the warmer months. It is quiet and undeveloped compared with the rest of the Srimangal circuit, with a path round part of the shore and a viewpoint, and the interest is the combination of the water, the tea slopes and the forest edge, which draws birds including kingfishers and, with luck, the occasional troop of langurs from the woodland behind. The estate is working and the lake is within it, so access is by permission of the estate, which is generally given at the gate for a small fee.

The landscape

• A lake inside a tea estate - water held between planted slopes.
• Lotus and water lily - the flowering across the surface in warm months.
• Forest above the tea - the woodland edge behind the estate.
• Kingfishers and langurs - the wildlife at the water and the forest margin.

When to go

November to March for comfortable weather; the lotus flowers in the warmer months, which is a different season. Half a day. Access is through the working estate, so keep to the tracks.

What to expect

It is inside a working estate and access depends on the gate. There are no facilities. The lotus and the weather do not coincide well. It is quiet but there is not a great deal to do beyond walking and looking.

Nearby

Srimangal is north; Lawachara lies north-east.

Key facts