Adventure That Gives Back to the Earth
At Bankura Exploration Nature Academy, we believe that outdoor exploration and social conscience are inseparable. From the very day of our inception on June 13, 1995, our volunteer base has stepped forward to protect delicate hill ecosystems, educate forest-fringe communities, plant thousands of native trees, and assist civil authorities during natural crises.
Susunia Hill Clean & Green Campaign
Susunia Hill is both an archaeological wonder and Bengal's premiere rock climbing cradle. Unfortunately, heavy pilgrim footfall, local melas, and tourism result in acute plastic debris and environmental degradation.
BENA organizes comprehensive bi-monthly hill clean drives. Our volunteers scale steep boulder corridors and ravines to retrieve tons of discarded single-use plastic, glass bottles, and litter. We also install bio-waste signage and engage in door-to-door education with local vendors and tourists.
"Sobuj Bon Sustho Mon" — Green Forests, Healthy Minds
Sobuj Bon Sustho Mon is BENA’s signature movement to cultivate ecological sensitivity among rural and urban youths. Long-distance cycle rallies are organized from Bankura town across 25 km to Susunia Hill, alongside motorcycle awareness expeditions spanning from Bankura to Ayodhya Hill in Purulia.
Crucially, our commitment goes beyond one-day sapling plantation ceremonies. BENA members actively monitor, water, and nurture the newly planted trees on the Susunia plateau and in our Academy campus until they reach mature growth.
Elephant-Human Conflict Mitigation
Bankura and the surrounding Junglemahal forests serve as a natural migration corridor for migratory wild elephant herds (Dalma herd). Rapid forest encroachment has historically triggered tragic confrontations between human settlements and wild herds.
BENA volunteers collaborate with the West Bengal Forest Department and village panchayats to conduct grassroots workshops. We educate local villagers on elephant migratory behavior, night avoidance protocols, flashlight signaling, and humane, non-violent herd diversion methods to prevent casualties on both sides.
Wider Community & Health Programs
Active programs serving the marginalized, rural, and tribal communities of Bankura district.
Emergency Ambulance Service
BENA operates dedicated ambulance assistance providing affordable and emergency patient transit between remote rural villages and Bankura Sammilani Medical College & Hospital.
Free Eye Testing & Medical Camps
Periodic eye examination camps conducted with certified ophthalmologists. Spectacles are provided free of cost to underprivileged senior citizens and school children across Bankura.
Disaster & Flood Relief
Drawing on SAR (Search and Rescue) training, our volunteers mobilize during monsoon river surges in the Damodar and Dwarakeswar basins, distributing food grains, tarpaulins, and potable water.
COVID-19 Relief Operations
During lockdown waves, BENA distributed dry ration food packets, surgical masks, sanitizers, and thermal scanners to over 1,500 daily wage-earning families, rickshaw pullers, and migrant laborers.
AIDS & Public Health Awareness
Conducting educational street rallies, distributing informational booklets, and removing social taboos around HIV/AIDS in remote blocks with local healthcare professionals.
Children's Day & Nutrition
Organizing annual athletic meets, obstacle games, drawing competitions, and high-protein nutrition kit distribution for children from tribal and rural schools on November 14.
Rakhi Bandhan & Harmony Rallies
Celebrating Rabindranath Tagore's tradition of universal brotherhood, tying Rakhis to community elders, bus drivers, police personnel, and citizens to foster inter-faith harmony.
Patriotic Youth Development
Commemorating Independence Day and Republic Day with tricolor flag hoisting, national anthem recitals, adventure demonstrations, and felicitation of state sports achievers.
Help Us Protect Nature & Empower Lives
Your tax-deductible contribution directly funds sapling sapling nurseries, Susunia hill cleanup equipment, ambulance operations, and free medical camps for rural families.