Attractions of Dooars

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Gorumara National Park Situated on the banks of rivers Murti and Raidak in the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal, the Gorumara

National Park is a site that one can not miss. Spread over an area of 80 sq.km. Full of riverine grasslands

and moist deciduous forests, the place is especially famous for its Asiatic one-horned rhino, and also

houses many other mammals, reptiles, insects and birds, including the majestic Asian elephants, the royal

Bengal tigers and the Great Indian Hornbill.

It was also declared as the best-protected area in India by the Ministry of Environment and Forests in

2009.

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Neora Valley Naitonal Park

Maroon-backed Accentor

Neora Valley, one of the last tracts of virgin wilderness in the country, sustains a unique ecosystem where tropical, sub-tropical, sub-temperate, and temperate vegetative system still harbours a wealth of flora and fauna. The forests consists of mixed species like rhododendron, bamboo, oak, ferns, sal, etc. The valley also has numerous species of orchids.

Red Panda

The Mysterious Forest

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Jaldapara National Park

Jaldapara National Park is situated at the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas in Alipurduar District of West Bengal on the banks of the Torsa river. The area of Jaldapara National Park spans across 216.51 Sq.km of vast grassland with patches of riverine forests It was declared a sanctuary in 1941 for protection of its great variety flora and fauna. Today, it has the largest population of the Indian one-horned Rhinoceros in the state, an animal threatened with extinction, and is a Habitat Management Area (Category IV). 9

Chapramari Wild Life Sanctuary The name of the region comes from 'Chapra', a variety of small fishes found in northern Bengal, and 'Mari', meaning 'abundance'. This Wild Life Sanctuary is located on the banks of the rivers Murti & Jaldhaka. The total coverage of the forest is 960 hectares. A large variety of flora and fauna are found in the forest. Chapramari is known for its elephant population. Gaur (commonly known as Indian bison) are not uncommon in the Chapramari region. Deer, boars, and leopards are also found there. However like Gorumara, Royal Bengal Tiger are not found here.

Entrance to the Core Forest Gaurs normally graze in herds

Elephant in joyous mood

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Buxa Tiger Reserve Situated within the civil jurisdiction of Alipurduar District, the northern boundary of Buxa Tiger Reserve runs along the international border with Bhutan while its eastern boundary touches that of the Assam state. At least 284 bird species and a wide variety of mammals e.g. Asian elephant, Gaur, Sambar Deer, Clouded Leopard, Indian Leopard, Striped Tiger etc. inhabit the reserve. 11

Chilapata Forest The forest forms an elephant corridor between Jaldapara National Park and the Buxa Tiger Reserve, and is rich in wildlife. New species continue to be found.The forest used to be home to large Rhinoceros populations. In hunting expeditions in 1892-1904, in and around Chilapata Forest, the Maharajah of Cooch Behar recorded killing one rhino, injury of one, and sighting of over 14.Rhinos now are extremely rare. Leopards are still common. The Chilapata Tourism

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Nalrajar Garh in Chilapata Forest Sunset in Chilapata

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Buxa Fort Buxa Fort is located at an altitude of 867 metres (2,844 ft) in the Buxa Tiger Reserve, Alipurduar

district, West Bengal. The British reconstructed the fort which was later used as a high security prison

and detention camp in the 1930s; it was the most notorious and unreachable prison in India after

the Cellular Jail.

Nearest Railway Station: Alipurduar Jn. 14

Jayanti Jayanti, a small forest village about 30 km north of Alipurduar and named after the river that flows

through, is known for its transcendental natural beauty. Forest, hills and river – all foiled in one pack here

to offer a complete tourism experience to the tourists.

Nearest Railway Station: Alipurduar Jn.

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Lepchakha Village Nested on the hilltop of the Buxa Tiger Reserve, close to Indo-Bhutan border is a Drukpa village

called Lepchakha Village. Lepchakha Village is often considered as the “Queen of Dooars” due to its

bewitching charisma. Best time to visit Lepchakha Village is from October to December when the

sky remains clear and tourists can feast their eyes with the panoramic vista of Dooras region from

the hilltop of Lepchakha Village. Nearest Railway Station: Alipurduar Jn.

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Raimatang Nestled amidst the lush green

forest of Buxa Tiger Reserve,

45 km from Alipurduar is a

quaint forest village in the

western Buxa area in the

dooars region called

Raimatang. Raimatang is

surrounded by lush tea

gardens and lofty hills, the

sight of which has lured

travelers towards Raimatang.

The unique location of

Raimatang has made it a

favored offbeat destination of

North Bengal.

Nearest Railway Station:

Alipurduar Jn.

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Sikiajhora Sikiajhora is a rivulet which

meanders through the Buxa

Tiger Reserve and enters the

plains of Dooars at Panialguri

to meet another flamboyant

river Bala, which too

originates from the Jayanti

Hills and Buxa Forest. Rich in

bio-diversity, Sikiajhora is

home to a healthy population

of birds and butterflies. You

can also stay in a luxury resort

which have come up recently

in Sikia Jhora and explore the

Eastern fringes of Dooars from

here.

Nearest Railway Station:

Alipurduar Jn.

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Malangi

Malangi is famous for nature

beauty. Elephant ride is

arranged for viewing of

wildlife. The Malangi Lodge

situated near the Hasimara

Air base and the Assam

Bhutan border is popular for

exploring the Chilapata

Forest and its adjoining

areas. It is located in a calm

& quiet place and there is a

small river named Malangi

flowing at the backside of

the lodge.

Nearest Railway Station: Hasimara.

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Bhutanghat The bank of river Raidak is a famous spot where tourist can spend some quality time while overlooking

the daunting hill of Bhutan. There is no such interest point in Bhutanghat which may dishearten some

tourist. But for the nature lover Bhutanghat with its surreal natural beauty is a paradise for them.

Nearest Railway Station: Alipurduar Jn./New Alipurduar.

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Hatipota Hatipota is located just at the border of India-Bhutan. It is a part of Alipurduar district of West Bengal. Hatipota is one part of Duars and a very humble weekend destination . Surrounded by lushy green tea gardens, gravels and pebbles below your shoe, bluish black mountain at far distance and above all , super clear sky which is a bonus for tourists. Nearest Railway Station: New Alipurduar/Alipurduar Jn.

Rasikbil Bird Sanctuary Rasikbill is a huge lake situated in the town of Tufanganj in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal. It is prominent bird viewing spot. Situated around a vast lake spreading more than 175 hectares territory, Rasikbill Lake is encompassed by three dull and thick woods – Nagurhaat, Atasmochar and Bochamari. They are differentiated by Batikata a little trench. It is a great shelter of eco-tourism in the wild with stunning magnificence of its photo postcard landscape. Nearest Railway Station: New Cooch Behar.

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Jhalong- Bindu –Paren

Jhalong is where Jhalong river has merged with Jaldhaka river. Here one can enjoy the sound of the river Jaldhaka. The hydro project at Jaldhaka attracts a lot of tourists. At Bindu and Paren, nature stands in front of us with all it's magic and splendor. Jhalong is rich with natural beauty; there are several places in Jhalong for sightseeing. Jhalong is a paradise for bird watchers. Eurasian wryneck, crested kingfisher, brown dipper, Hodgson's redstart, laty-backed forktail, little forktail, Rufous-necked laughingthrush are some of the rare species found here. Nearest Railway Station: New Mal Junction. 22

Murti The place is named after river called Murti. Surrounded with lush sub-tropical forest, Murti is a serene

river valley in Dooars. If one like the idea of camping near a river stream, the Murti is the perfect place

for you. Listen to the gurgling of river stream and enjoy the serenity of pristine nature in Murti. Nearest Railway Station: Chalsa and New Mal Junction.

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Mouchuki

Mouchuki is an ideal place to enjoy the forests and the views of the mountains around. There is a trek route from here which goes through the dense forests of Neora Valley National Park all the way to Lava through the Lechela Pass. Nearest Railway Station: Chalsa and New Mal Junction. 24

Samsing Samsing in Dooars is a serene village with lush vegetation, vast stretches of tea gardens, orange orchards, forests and is surrounded by hills. It's located at an altitude of 3,000ft and at a distance of 17kms from Chalsa. Suntalekhola is another hamlet 4kms ahead and known for the WBFDC lodge in a lush garden setting offering nature stay amidst dense forest. Nearest Railway Station: New Mal Junction.

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Suntalekhola Enclosed by the verdant forest

of Neora Valley is a rustic place

called Suntalekhola. Unspoiled

by the modern society,

Suntalekhola has become a

place to find solace. There are

WBFDC cottages for the tourists

to reside. Several trek routes

originate from Suntalekhola,

most of which are within the

Neora Valley National Park,

which is located adjacent to this

place. Nearest Railway Staion:

New Mal Junction.

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