Beautiful Forest Trip at Jaldapara National Sanctuary

The river Torsha flows through this rain forest sanctuary and is expanded over an area of 141 Sq.km and altitude of 61 m. Jaldapara, the vast grassland with patches of riverine forest was declared a sanctuary in 1941 for protection of the great variety of flora and fauna, particularly the one-horned rhinoceros, an animal threatened with extinction. The Jaldapara Sanctuary covers 216 sq km, is a mosaic of woods, grasslands, perennial streams, sandy river banks and extensive belts of tall grass.

http://www.dooarsecoviillege.com

It contains a great diversity of mixed deciduous flora and fauna, grasslands and river banks. The Malangi River also flows nearby from east to west. Drained by rivers Torsa, Malangi, Hollong, Chirakhawa, Kalijhora, Sissamara, Bhaluka and Buri Torsa, the Sanctuary provides extensive grassland which is the last refuge to a wide variety of mammals, amphibians, reptiles and birds.

http://www.dooarsecoviillege.com

Best Time to VisitThe time between September and March, is the best time to visit Jaldapara, especially in winter to catch a view of the migratory birds.

How to ReachThe Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary and the Garumara Wildlife Sanctuary can be accessed from Siliguri as the entry point.

contact@dooarsecoviillege.com

+91-983-069-4705

By Road :Jaldapara is well connected by road with Darjeeling, Siliguri and other towns of North Bengal. North Bengal State Transport Corporation Buses, Bhutan Govt. Mini Buses and Private Buses are available from Siliguri to Alipurduar via Madarihat. The entire trip duration from Siliguri is about 4 hours.

By Air :Nearest airport is Bagdogra. It is a domestic airport under Indian Army. All major air services are available here, from all over India. Distance between Bagdogra and Siliguri is 13 km.

By Rail :Jaldapara Tourist Lodge is very near to the Railway Station. All the Mail and Express trains stop at Hasimara Railway Station and both are 10 km away from the sanctuary. Local trains stop at Madarihat Railway Station, 1.5 km away from Tourist Lodge.

Forest VisitAn adventurous elephant ride in the morning will take you deep inside the grassland for the real excitement. The sight of rhinos in a muddy pond, the herds of elephant or the running deer are among the thrilling experiences in Jaldapara. For most time of the year, available few elephants are unable to serve the large number tourists who flock to the Sanctuary.

Chilapata:River Torsha divides the continuous stretch of forest with Jaldapara on the western side and Chilapata being on the eastern side of the river. Chilapata has become a favourite Tourist destination for many in the recent years. You can go for a forest visit with permission of the forest department and accompanied by approved guide. Chilapata can easily be visited from Jaldapara as a part of day-sightseeing tour as the distance is hardly 15 kms.

Khairbari Tiger Rescue CenterThere is a tiger rescue center about 10 kms from Madarihat town inside Khairbari forest. When Tiger-show in Indian Circuses was banned, the rescued Tigers were brought here. Today many of the tigers are either old or dead, but the drive through the Khairbari forest is still an excellent experience.

PhuentsholingBhutan boarder Phuentsholing is about 28 kms from Madarihat and can be reached in about 45 minutes. Tourists staying around Jaldapara for more than one night prefer to visit the border town as part of sightseeing.

TotoparaAdjacent to the Jaldapara sanctuary, Totopara is a major attraction for those interested in ethnic tourism. Toto Para is the only settlement for the Totos, one of the most endangered ethnic communities in the world. Their numbers are now reduced to mere a thousand.

Madarihat Madarihat is the nearest township and is adjacent to Jaldapara sanctuary. There is a well-furnished tourist lodge just at the entrance of the sanctuary. A number of private accommodations have come up in and around Madarihat. The government maintained (WBTDC) tourist accommodation is also at Madarihat.

Wildlife in JaldaparaThe main attraction in Jaldapara for the tourists apart from its exquisite natural beauty is the Asiatic one horned rhino which can be seen from the Elephant back, while driving on roads or from a watchtower. The sanctuary holds the largest rhino population in India after Kajiranga National Park in Assam.

One can come across Elephants wandering in the woodland and frequenting the open grasslands, rivers and glades. Massive Tuskers and Makhnas, Gaur, Hog Deer, Spotted Deer, magnificent pied Hornbill, colourful Green Pigeon, Peafowl and other feathered beauties will greet your eyes at the windowsill of the Holong lodge.

One horned Rhino :Jaldapara is known for its Rhino population. There are only a few areas where this elusive beauty can be found. Apart from Kaziranga and Pobitara in Assam, Jaldapara in West Bengal is being the safe home for this wonderful species since long. The grass wetland, ideal for Rhinos, provides them natural habitat for their strong survival.

Flora :The sanctuary is very rich in natural vegetation as it lies on the bank of the Torsha River. The vegetation mainly comprises of Riverine forest along with different types of grass. Cassia grass is the most common type of grass that spreads throughout the sanctuary. One can also see various Sal trees that grow along the eastern banks of the Malangi River.

Fauna :The chief attraction of the place is the Asiatic one horned rhinoceros, which are found here in large numbers. In addition to it, one can also see various other animals like Royal Bengal Tiger, elephant, spotted deer, Indian bison, hog deer, leopard etc.

Birds in the area :Jaldapara is a paradise for bird watchers. It is one of the very few places in India, where the Bengal Florican can be spotted. The area is exceptionally rich in avifauna because of varied terrain, mosaic of vegetation and rich insect life. More than 240 species of birds are found in variety of habitats – grassland, water bodies and woodland.

The diverse vegetation and rich shrub growth on the forest floor provide ideal setting for many woodland birds, such as Green Pigeons, Hornbills, Barbets, Parakeets, Woodpeckers, Cuckoos, Orioles, Drongos, Babblers, Thrushes etc. Brahminy ducks, Whistling Teals and Merganser are winter visitors.

THANK YOU

Address: AC-5 Roy Garden, Rajarhat, Baguiati,

Kolkata-700059, India

Phone No: +91-983-069-4705 & +91-916-317-1264

Email: contact@dooarsecoviillege.com

Contact Information