General Information About Jaldapara
Situated in the Eastern foothills of the Himalayas, the Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary along with Gorumara National Park is famous for one horned rhinoceros, elephants and Bengal Tigers, spotted deers, barking deers, sambhar deers, bison, wild pig, hog deer and bison.
The skies here too will be a part of your tourist spot with a sizeable variety of eagles, Bengal florican, Indian Hornbill, jungle fowl, peafowl, partridges and more. Varieties of eagles such as the crested eagle and fishing eagle can also be seen. You can also visit the Gorumara National Park nearby and the ruins of an old fort situated inside the Chilapata Forest. Since Jaldapara is famous for its innumerable elephants, you can take an elephant ride through the park. Alternately, you can also take the Safaris available on hire.
September to May are the best months to visit Jaldapara, while the monsoons must be skipped as the park is closed during the season.
Jaldapara National Park is a national park situated at the foothills of Eastern Himalayas in Alipurduar Sub-Division of Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal and on the bank of river Torsa. Jaldapara is situated at an altitude of 61 m. and is spread across 216.51 km2 (83.59 sq mi) of vast grassland with patches of riverine forests. It was declared a sanctuary in 1941 for protection of the great variety flora and fauna. Today, it has the largest population of Indian one-horned rhinoceros in the state, an animal threatened with extinction, and is a Habitat management area (Category IV). The nearby Chilanpata Forests is an elephant corridor between Jaldapara and the Buxa Tiger
Reserve Also close by is the Gorumara National Park, known for its population of Indian Rhinoceros.
South Khairbari nature park About 11 km. from Jaldapara, this Tourist Centre is actually a Leopard Rehabilitation Centre and Nature Park. River Boori Torsa is flowing through the forest. It is interesting to travel in the leopards' empire on battery-driven cars. Recently, the Royal Bengal Tigers released from the Circus Parties have been rehabilitated here.
Going from Madarihat towards Birpara, a road in the left side goes to Khairbari. This is a good way. Sometimes a herd of elephants appear. There is a Watch Tower on the river bank wherefrom you may see the leopards going this way and that, green waves on the sides of the river, scene of
boating. There is a wooden bridge over the river. Crossing over the bridge there is the Nature Park. There are many arrangements for children's enjoyment in the Park. It is a picnic spot also.
Kunja Nagar Eco Park Nearly 7km. from Falakata, touching Jaldapara Sanctuary, lies this Eco-Tourism Park. Here you can see leopard, deer, gharial and the rose-ringed parakeet. If luck favours, you may see rhino, deer or elephant during boating.
Wild animals are not found always, but sitting on the Watch Tower you will feel as natural as your own. There is an arrangement for a picnic. So daytime remains lively. The evenings are beautiful. If you go up the Watch Tower in a moon-lit night, you will not like to come down. There is electric wire fencing for safety from elephant attacks. For night stay there are Forest Bungalow and Tower House.
Phuntsholing (Bhutan) Phuentsholing is the point of entry for travellers arriving by bus from Kolkata and Siliguri and the town functions primarily as a place where Bhutanese and Indians do business. The architecture is modern, and there is no dzong, famous monastery or in fact anything of particular interest to tourists. However, like all of Bhutan, it does offer a clean, pleasant and safe environment in which to go about your business. NB: Until 2005, it was possible for overseas visitors to enter the town without a Bhutanese visa. Except for Indian nationals, this is no longer possible. Indians are denied entry beyond the check-post in the absence of a permit.
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.
Rail- The most important railway station in North East India is NJP. NJP is directly connected with all major stations in India. 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.
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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