Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary of West Bengal
The famous Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary is placed in the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. This famous place has distinct types of flora and fauna. Tourist can observe the Indian hornbill, Bengal florican, jungle fowl, pea fowl and patridges in this superb sanctury.
One of the famous tourist spot in West Bengal, Jaldapara Wild Life Sanctuary is situated at the foothills of Eastern Himalayas , on the bank of Torsa river. In 1943, the huge grassland with number of riverine forests, was declared as a sanctuary for protection of the various types of flora and fauna.These includes Asiatic one horned Rhino. The Jaldapara sanctuary iswell-combined of mosaic of woods, grassland, swamps and streams all over. The Sanctuaryoccupies an area of 216.51 sq km.
Malangi, Hollong, Chirakhawa, Kalijhora, Sissamara, Bhaluka and Buri Torsa are some drainage from Torsa provided by well spreaded grassland which houses to huge species of mammals, amphibians, reptiles and birds.
Asiatic one horned rhino is the main tourist attraction in Jaldapara, which can be seen from the Elephant back, is the best sight seeing from roads. The Jaldapara sanctuary consists of a huge number of rhinos in India after the famous Kajiranga National Park in Assam.
Tourist can enjoy the sight seeing of Elephants wandering in the woodland, rivers and glades. The other Peafowl and feathered beauties includes Massive Tuskers and Makhnas, Indian Bison, Hog Deer, Spotted Deer, magnificent pied Hornbill, colourful Green Pigeon also attracts tourists every year in a great number.
Indian Bisons are easily ibserved during early morning and late evening in this place. Sanctury housed Deers are well catagorised here in four species namely the Chital, the Hog deer, the Sambar and the Barking deer. Sambar is the largest Asiatic deer, can be seen in a small group in the woodland along streams. The other Chital, Hog deer are mainly solitary in nature and Barking deer is a small deer pointable for its loud alarm call like bark of a dog. Various types of Wild pigs can also be seen in river banks and open grounds while digging out tubers. Tigers and leopards are the famous tourist attractions in this reserve. Other important animals in the sanctuary includes common otter, the small and large Indian civet,Indian pangolin, Hispid hare, Indian porcupine, Giant squirrel and Indian Rock Python.
The main thing is more than 30% of the total area is under grassland. Dense region of grasses are mainly comprised of Saccharum spp; Themeda arundinacea, T. villosa, Setaria Palmifolia, Cymbopogon spp., Thysanolaena maxima, Phragmites Karka, Arundo donax and Imperata cycliderica.
Jaldapara is also popular for bird visitors. This spot is one of the few place of India, where the Bengal Florican can be seen. Jaldapara is exceptionally rich in mosaic of vegetation and rich insect life. There are about 240 species of birds are seen with variety of habitat – grassland, water bodies and woodland also.
Many woodland birds including Green Pigeons, Hornbills, Barbets, Parakeets, Woodpeckers, Cuckoos, Orioles, Drongos, Babblers, Thrushes etc. Brahminy and Merganser are the best quality of enjoy during winter. The most common birds housed here includes Indian Shag, Darter, Egret, River Lapwing, Moorhen, White Breasted Waterhen and many more.
The other beautiful birds like Fishing Eagle, Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrow Hawk etc. The foreign bird species found in the Sanctuary includes Bengal Florican, Shaheen Falcon, Great Pied Hornbills, Forest Eagle Owl and White Rumped Vulture, Lesser Adjutant Stork are the endangered. Tourist can enjoy the sight seeing of beautiful Peacocks displaying his feathers during the breeding period.
Ethnic tourism can enjoy the spot Totopara, which is adjacent to the Jaldapara sanctuary. Most endangered ethnic species in the world, Toto Para is well settled here. Their numbers arebecoming low in thousands. The governmental and non-governmental agencies are trying their best for the uplifting their living situation.
Madarihat tourist bungalow or Holong tourist lodge are best accomodation for the visitors inside the place. The Holong lodge is placed inside the forest. Though the number of rooms in Holong is quite limited, so tourist have to book from it months in advance.
The sanctuary remains closed During the rainy season for tourists. The main duration for observing in between June 15 to September 15. The time schedule for enjoying the sanctury scheduled from 9 AM to 4 PM.
