Jaldapara National Park

Jaldapara is in West Bengal in India.

Understand

History

It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1991.

Landscape

Jaldapara is situated in the foothills of eastern Himalayas

The river Torsha flows through this rain forest sanctuary which is mostly covered with tall grasses, the sanctuary encompasses a luxuriant vegetation and a rich variety of wildife. The Malangi River also flows nearby from east to west. Riding elephants and jeep safari is the only way to move inside this forest. Elephant safari is preferred to the people staying at Jaldapara (in holong lodge or tourism lodge) overnight. The jeep safari is available in morning and in afternoon.

Flora and fauna

The forest is mainly savannah covered with tall elephant grasses. The main attraction of the sanctuary is Asiatic one-horned rhinoceros. The sanctuary holds the highest rhino population in India after Kaziranga National Park in Assam. The other animals found are tigers, elephants, deers, sambhar, barking deer, spotted deer, hog deer, wild pig and bisons. Jaldapara is a paradise for bird watchers. It is one of the very few places in India, where the Bengal florican is sighted. The other birds to be found here are the crested eagle, Pallas's fishing eagle and shikra, besides jungle fowl, peafowl, patridges, and lesser pied hornbill. Python, monitor lizards, krates, cobras, geckos and about 8 species of fresh water turtles have also found sanctuary here.

Climate

Warm and humid all the year long. The best season to visit is Middle of October to the end of February.

Get in

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. By air - Bagdogra is the nearest airport.(140 km) By rail – the nearest railway station is Madarihat which is only 7 km from the sanctuary. All passenger trains stop here. Jaldapara Tourist Lodge is in a walkable distance from this railway station. 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 road with Siliguri and other places in North Bengal. 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.

Fees/Permits

A permit is required for visit to the sanctuary. (As of 2007-08) Entry Fees to visit the park (Hollong) : Rs. 25/- Per head for Indian Nationals. Rs. 50/- Per light vehicle. Rs. 200/- Per heavy vehicle. Rs. 5/- Per still camera. Rs. 250/- Per video camera.

A thrilling elephant safari is organized in the early morning from Hollong to offer the exquisite beauty of the vast grassland of Jaldapara. The elephant ride is the best possible way to explore the sanctuary with the rare sight of Indian rhinos and Asiatic elephants. The jeep safari inside the sanctuary is another main attraction. Jeeps can be hired from Madarihat for day visits.

Elephant Ride Charge (as of 2007-08): a) Adult Rs. 120/- Per head (Maximum 4 persons are allowed on each Elephant)

See

In Elephant ride you can see so many animals, like Rhino, various types of Deer, Elephants, bisons,peacocks etc.

Your must see experience will be view from HOLLONG REST HOUSE(govt).

Eat

Bar & Restaurant Attached with good facilities

Drink

No drinks inside the sanctuary. For consumption in the lodge, it is better to carry one’s own choice.

Sleep

• Resort Mayur, (Lataguri near Gorumara Forest), ☎ 033 40010180. checkin: 12; checkout: 11. Resort Mayur located in lataguri. An economy resort. Car parking facilities are available. Rs.750-1250.

• Resort Sonar Bangla, (Lataguri), ☎ 033 40046229 /07278016913. checkin: 12; checkout: 11. Resort Sonar Bangla is an economic resort located in lataguri on the outskirt of Gorumara forest. Rooms with attach bathrooms are available. Car parking facilites are also available. Car rental from NJP or Bagdogra are available. For booking you can use online as well as contact Kolkata office. Rs.800.

• Rose Valley Lataguri, Lataguri (Gorumara National Park), ☎ 07278016913 / 09433086934. Resort Rose Valley (Nakshatra) is in the heart of Garumara National Forest. The resort provides you with a natural healing effect cocooned in the heart of sprawling mountains in the backdrop, the silvery lake cutting through the ground, alluring tea gardens, mushy wilderness and lush greenery. It has 6 for beded and 14 double beded AC rooms, Conference Hall, Restaurant, satelite TV, Also arranges safari to parks. Rs.3000 - 3500.

Lodging

• Tourist Lodge, Hollong - It has only very limited capacity but it is at the core of the forest. It is 7 km from Madarihat.

No. of rooms: (7) Seven Double Bedded rooms @ Rs.1000/- per room per day + Compulsory food @ Rs.175/- per head per day (dinner, breakfast & bed tea only). Lunch - Optional Rs.75/- per head.

• Jaldapara Tourist Lodge, PO Madarihat, Dist. Jalpaiguri PIN 735 220 - It much bigger than Hollong tourist lodge and has dormitories too. Direct booking at Tourist Lodge, Telefax +91 3563 262230, +91 3563 262606. Rates Rs. 1,000 (non AC double bed), Rs. 300 (dormitory - 5 bedded), Rs. 650 (double-bedded Tourist Hut).
• Malangi Nature Resort at Baradabari (West Bengal Forest Development Corporation), on the other side of the sanctuary.
• Chilapata Jungle Camp - a new outfit near Chilapata Wildlife Sanctuary, run by Help Tourism. For bookings contact: [email protected]
  • Booking can be done for all:
    • From Kolkata - West Bengal Tourism, 3/2 B.B.D. Bag (E), Kolkata-700029. Telephone +91 33 2225 4723, +91 33 2210 3199, e-mail: [email protected],
    • From Siliguri - West Bengal Tourism, M-4 Building, Hill Cart Road, Siliguri, Telephone +91 353 2511974, +91 353 2516306.

Priority to enter Jaldapara Sanctuary is first given to those booked into the tourist lodges only if there are less people booked in the lodges, can people not staying at the lodges get a safari. There are only a limited number of safaris per day. (May 2008)

Stay safe

• Keep fire away. This is the most destructive of all forces. Please do not kindle fires, throw lighted matches, cigarettes, bidis etc.
• Keep the forest clean. Do not litter with plastic, paper, cellophane etc.
• Keep pets at home.
• Do not carry firearms, explosives, etc. These are prohibited.
• Keep sober. Do not consume alcoholic drinks within the sanctuary.
• Entering inside the forest prohibited. Follow the specific road/ path only.
• Picnics are not permitted inside the sanctuary.
• Do not tease the wild animals. Watch and observe nature silently.
• Drive slowly. Permissible speed is 20 km/hr.
• Disorderly conduct is not permitted.
• No person shall hunt, destroy or remove or collect any forest produce or wildlife. Fishing prohibited.

Violations of any provisions as mentioned above or any rules shall be punishable under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and rules made thereunder and Indian Forest Act,1927.

Get out

• Totopara - 30 km from Jaldapara, a small village on the banks of River Torsha bordering Bhutan is the only habitation of Toto, a primitive tribe in Dooars. Their number has dwindled to less than 1000.
• Chilapata - Hidden deep inside the Chilapata Forests the ruins of a thousand yeas old fort of Nal King has a tremendous historical and archeological importance. On way to Cooch Behar, a trip through the deep and dark Chilapata Forest (20 km from Alipurduar) is a pleasant and exciting experience. Built in the 5th century during the Gupta Empire the ruins still recall the memories of the Golden Age of India.
• Gorumara National Park
• Buxa Duar

A Fort at an altitude of 867 metres on the Sinchula Range guarding the most important of the eleven routes into Bhutan, the Buxa Duar. Only 60 kilometres from Madarihat, the Fort used as a detention camp for freedom fighters during British rule.

• Jayanti, 75 km from Madarihat. A beautiful picnic spot on the bank of Jayanti river.It provides an excelletn view of the hills of Bhutan.

Attraction:- 1) Flora and fauna of the region, 2) Pukhri Pahar, 3) Mahakal Cave, 4) Buxaduar (12 km trek through forest)

• Jayanti Bala Suvankar Basu 94342-04776/ 03561 226050.

• Bhutan Ghat, 85 km from Madarihat, the road passes through beautiful forest and tea gardens. A picnic spot.

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