JALDAPARA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
AT
WEST BENGAL
Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary is located at the Eastern Himalayan foothills in Alipurduar sub-division of Jalpaiguri district in the state of West Bengal. It covers an extensive area of 216 square kilometers and is a maze of grasslands, perennial streams, woods, extensive belts of tall grass and sandy river banks.
Jaldapara received the “wildlife sanctuary” status in the British Era in 1941 when its area was 141 sq. km. Situated beside Hollong River, Jaldapara is now spread over in an area of 216.51 sq. km and with a Rhino population of more than 160. Other important species includes Bisons, Deers, Leopards and numerous birds including the famous Great Hornbill.
The beauty of the forest lies in the fact that it is home to an amazingly wide variety of flora and fauna with some endangered species. The one horned rhinoceros in particular is the most famed one inhabiting the forest. Jaldapara was declared to be a wildlife sanctuary in 1914 to preserve the diverse flora and fauna of this land. Rivers Torsha, Malangi, Kalijhora, Sissmara and Chirakhawa have created banks along which the wildlife sustains itself.
aldapara Wildlife Sanctuary is most famous for Asiatic one horned rhinos and you will spot many while you explore the forest on elephant back. Other animals found here include barking deer, tigers, elephants, sambhar, wild boars, bisons and hog deer. This place is a bird watcher’s paradise since it offers the greatest variety of birds in Bengal. Birds like Hornbill, Racket-Tailed Drongo and Asian Paradise Fycatcher, Green Pigeons, Doves, Bee-eaters, Rollers, Hoopoe, Shrikes, Bengal Florican, Black partridge, Shaheen Falcon, Great Pied Hornbills, Forest Eagle Owl, Large Green billed Malkoha and White Rumped Vulture are spotted here.
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 Rhino's provides them natural habitat for their strong survival.More than 240 species of birds are found in variety of habitat- Grassland, water bodies, woodland.
Very close from the Jaldapara National Park- The Holiday Home is situated a distance of around 2.5 km from the Main gate of the National Park. Centrally located at Natonal Highway 31 with dual approach from Hasimara and Madarihat. Hasimara Station is just 7 kms and it takes 15 minutes by bus to reach the Holiday Home. Madarihat is around 4 km from the Holiday Home. The hotel is located just beside National Highway 31, so no carrying of your baggages.
By Air
Bagdogra 145kms from Jaldapara is the nearest airport from where tourist can reach Jaldapara by road-route via Siliguri.Bagdogra to Siliguri is 13 km.
By Train
The most important railway station in the North East India is NJP. The nearest railway station is Madarihat which is only 7 km from the sanctuary. All the mail and express trains stop at Birpara/Hasimara railway stations, both are 20 km. away from the sanctuary.
By Road
Jaldapara is connected by National Highway with Siliguri and can be reached by car within 3hrs.Madarihat is the entry point for the sanctuary. It is located on the NH 31 (Siliguri-Hasimara), 140 km east from Siliguri, 80 km north from Cooch Behar and 50 km west from Alipurduar. North Bengal State Transport Corporation buses, Bhutan Government buses, minibuses are available from Siliguri to Alipurduar via Madarihat. Cars can also be hired at Siliguri.
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