Jaldapara National Park

• Flora and Fauna:

The National Park is a home to a diverse variety of flora and fauna. You can spot the Indian one-horned rhinoceros, Indian leopard, Asiatic elephant, sambar, deer, bison, and wild boars. It is also a bird watcher’s heaven, holding species like the Bengal florican, crested eagle, shikra, Pallas’s fish eagle, jungle fowl, partridge, Paradise flycatcher, Finn’s weaver, hornbill, racket-tailed drongo, and peafowl. A variety of reptiles can also be found here, including pythons, kraits, cobras, monitor lizards, geckos, and fresh water turtles. This apart, the forest floor supports the growth of tall elephant grasses, thus forming a savannah.

• Meet the Tribe

Jaldapara is the only home of the primitive Toto tribe of Dooars. At present, there are less than a thousand Totos in the area. Their aboriginal lifestyle is an attraction here and takes you back to the ancient times when facilities were basic, yet humans thronged gracefully. The tribe dwells in a small village called Totopara, which is 30 kilometres away from Jaldapara.

• Tour to Chilapata Forests

Inside the forests lies the ruins of an old fort, which is believed to be the home of the mythological character, King Nal. This 5th century fort is of great historic and archaeological significance. Built during the Gupta Empire, it bespeaks a golden era gone by.

• Trip to Khayerbari

It is an animal rescue centre located 15 kilometres from Jaldapara. Khayerbari is a home to a number of leopards and Royal Bengal tigers. These animals were rescued from various circuses after the government banned the use of animals in circuses.

• Visit Gorumara National Park

80 kilometres from Jaldapara lies Gorumara National Park. It is located on the bank of rivers Murti and Raidak and contains a large population of Asiatic one-horned rhinos. This apart, the National Park is also a home to Asian elephants, peacocks, and bisons. The entry point of this park lies at Lataguri – a small town nearby. You could also indulge in angling in the rivers.

• Tour to Buxa Tiger Reserve

Established in the period of 1982-83, the Buxa Tiger Reserve holds a large number of Royal Bengal Tigers – an important animal species in the region of North Bengal. Situated in northeast Dooars, the park borders Bhutan and Assam, and holds the historic Buxa Duar and Buxa Fort.

• Journey to Bhutan Ghat

85 kilometres from Madarihat, the entry point of Jaldapara, lies Bhutan Ghat. It is a picnic spot frequented by many. The journey will need you to travel through mesmerising forests and a number of tea gardens.

The best time to visit Jaldapara National Park is from October to May. The ambient seasons are during March and October. The park remains closed for visitors from the 15th of June to the 15th of September owing to heavy rainfall.