Bhalki is a small village within a forest patch adjacent to Illambazar Forest area. A small park with boating facilities have been arranged by the Forest Department here. Visitors can enjoy a quiet afternoon amidst the chirping of birds here and visit the nearby brick tower also known as Machan which was once a part of the GTS (Great Trigonometrical Survey) of India.
Local folklore tells the story that Zamindars and Kings used this Brick Tower as their Machaan for hunting but infact this 35-foot tower supported a platform on top which served as a stage for the surveyor and his instruments. According to the 1880 report, the tower was designated as No. LXVIII of the Calcutta Longitudinal Series and even mentions that surveys were carried out from this tower from 1831 to 1868.
