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.
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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.
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Best Time to Visit
The 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 Reach
The 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 Visit
An 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 Center
There 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.
Phuentsholing
Bhutan 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.
Totopara
Adjacent 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 Jaldapara
The 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

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