Dooars

Spanning 3/4ths of the Dooars region of North Bengal is a wide-spread jungle of mixed growth, with the basic vegetation of deciduous flora.

Dooars, the hunting ground of the Rajas in early times probably derived its name from the many "Duars" or doorways, like the Buxaduar, Alipurduar, etc. which are dotted all over this region. It is also the highway for the migratory elephants which ensures witnessing of these massive descendants of the pre-historic mammoth, all-around the year, luck favoring. Amid the cover of tall trees and grasses lurks myriad creatures of the jungle. What more could one ask for than the thrill of being eye to eye with a wild Rhino or following the pug marks of a roving Tiger. A bird blissfully riding a Gaur, a Sambhar proudly facing the golden sun at dawn, is a sight one would like to preserve in his heart for ages.

The eeriness is thrilling and the feeling is inexplicable. You are face to face with life here. The abundance of flora in a riot of colors from the tiny pink delicate flowers of the "Touch-me-not" to the bright crimson of the "Palash" charms the mind and a wide variety of fauna like the barking deer, chital, wild boars, gaurs, or the Indian bison, elephants, rhinos, tigers, leopards, etc. provide ample excitement, thrill, and adventure. A variety of feathers like woodpeckers, hornbills, drongos, flycatchers, bee-eaters, peacocks, etc. would gladly be your companion throughout the trip to make it a memorable one. It is, however, the wild animals that roam around with perfect nonchalance, the constant cry of the cicada and the unknown mysteries looming large in the bowels of the maze of the jungles of dooars like the ]aldapara, Gorumara, Chapramari, Buxa, etc. that makes these places a tourist haunt every season.

The Dooars valley is especially noted for its wildlife sanctuaries, the most notable of which are the National Park of Gorumara (75 km from Siliguri), Chapramari forests (68 km from Siliguri), the Buxa Tiger Reserve (200 km from Siliguri), and the Jaldapara Sanctuary (124 km from Siliguri).

Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary and Gorumara National Park are habitats of the rare one-horned rhinoceros, the mighty bison, leopard, spotted deer, sambar, hog deer, reptiles, huge wild tuskers, wild boars, and the rarest variety of animals and birds including plenty of peacocks. Elephant riding through the Jaldapa forest in search of wild animals, particularly the one-horned rhinos, has become a craze among the tourists to this area.

Well-equipped tourist lodges are run by WB Tourism Development Corporation / WB Forest Development Corporation at Malbazar, Jalpaiguri, Jaldapara, Hollong, Madarihat, Gorumara, Samsing, and Jayanti. Besides, there are quite a good number of hotels, resorts, guest houses, etc. at Malbazar, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar & Cooch Behar.

1) Jaldapara wildlife sanctuary:

Jaldapara is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Dooars with an area of approx 217 sq.km. it is located at the Alipurduar subdivision in Jalpaiguri District. Jaldapara is covered mostly with tall grasses & a wide variety of green vegetation, which makes Jaldapara heaven for many endangered spices. River Torsha flows through the sanctuary. Malangi is also an important river that flows nearby.

Flora and fauna of Jaldapara:

Jaldapara is home to almost 240 species of birds, 20 species of mammals, and various species of reptiles and fishes. Jaldapara in Dooars is especially known for the preservation of one horn rhinos. It has the highest population of rhinos after Kaziranga in Assam. The other important animals are the Asiatic elephant, leopard, deer (hog deer, spotted deer, barking deer), sandbar & bison (Indian Gour). An elephant safari in Jaldapara can provide you an opportunity to have a closer view of all these animals.

Chilapata Forest:

On the way to Coochbegar, Chilapata is just a few kilometers away from Jaldapara. The dense forest & its inhabitants have made Chilapata an important tourist spot in Dooars. Chilapata is home to many animals including Rhino, Bison & various types of birds. You can include Chilapata for a half-day tour from Jaldapara.

Khayer Bari (Animal rescue centre)

South khayerbari is an animal rescue center of Dooars situated just 15km. away from Jaldapara. A no of Royal Bengal Tigers & leopards has been brought to the center after the ban of these animals in various circuses. Here the visitors get an opportunity to have a closer view of these animals.

2) Gorumara National Park:

Gorumara is an important national park in Dooars. It has been given the status of a national park in 1992. It is an important biosphere reserve in Doors, situated on the bank of Murti & Raidak.

Flora and fauna of Gorumara:

Sal is the most valuable tree of Gorumara. Other than that Siris, teak & simul are also found. Gorumara is famous for its horn Indian Rhino. Asiatic elephant, gaur, leopard, deer, sambar, King cobra, python are also fond in Gorumara. It is also a paradise for bird watchers.

Chapramari:

Chapramari is a reserve forest with an area of only 10 sq.km. But it has a wide variety of wild animals. These include Asiatic elephant, gaur (Indian bison), leopard, hornbill, etc. Chapramari is just beside Gorumara N.P. & only a few km from the Lataguri interpretation center.

1) Few Interesting places for Tour around Dooars:

Jhalong and Bindu Tour:

Jhalong is a small village in Dooars located beside the Jaldhaka River. It is also known for the Jaldhaka Hydral project. Jhalong is popularly known for its beautiful valleys & the river flown through it.

Bindu is another small village of Dooars at the Indo Bhutan border. Jaldhaka River also flows through Bindu and is considered a natural border between India & Bhutan.

Rocky Island:

Rocky Island is an upcoming destination in Dooars. Murti River flows through the destination. The place is surrounded by hills and ideal for land-based adventure activities like trekking, rock climbing & rappelling. Tented accommodation & a river bath are added attractions of Rocky Island.

Samsing- Suntalekhola Tour:

Samsing & Suntalekhola are two beautiful places in Dooars situated just 35-40 km away from Chalsa. It can be covered staying Lataguri (Gorumara N.P.).

Jayanti and Buxa Tiger Reserve:

At the easternmost end of Dooars valley there is Buxa Tiger Reserve the second largest tiger reserve in West Bengal. It is having an area of 350 sq km. with a core area of about 330 sq kms. within this 315 sq.kms. is a sanctuary out of which about 115 sq kms. area has been declared as national park.