When the term Indian One Horned Rhinoceros comes to the mind of any traveller, then the best name that sticks is the Kaziranga National Park in Assam. Assam is a state that has been known for the successful conservation of these One Horned Rhinoceros species whose numbers had diminished to just a few due to excessive hunting and poaching to over 2500 and this is what makes tourists flock to Assam and Kaziranga National Park to get a chance to spot these majestic beast in its natural habitat along with various other animal species including the Royal Bengal Tigers in the wild. The Indian One Horned Rhinoceros population is spread out across Assam and apart from Kaziranga National Park, this species can be spotted in the wild in the forest reserves of Manas National Park, Orang National Park and also the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary. Pobitora near Guwahati in Assam is home to the highest population density of the Indian One Horned Rhinoceros anywhere in the World and visitors can spot this beast up close at the forest reserves of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary. But when the One Horned Rhinoceros comes to picture outside of Assam then one place noteworthy to be mentioned will be that of the Jaldapara National Park in the Dooars region of West Bengal and this pristine and beautiful National Park is located on the foothills of the beautiful biodiversity rich Eastern Himalayas and the Jaldapara National Park is located in the Alipurduar district of Northern Bengal.
The Torsa River flows along the area of the Jaldapara National Park and the place is situated at an altitude of 61m and spread across a decent area of 216 sq. km. and the area comprises of moist grasslands with patches of riverine forests as well. The Jaldapara area was declared as a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1941 and the final glory came to the place in 2012 when it was declared as a National Park and today various conservation measures at the place and it can be said that today Jaldapara National Park is the highest population of the Indian One Horned Rhinoceros in the state of West Bengal. The presence of the Chilapata forests near the place acts as a very important elephant corridor between the Buxa Tiger Reserve and the Jaldapara National Park. Apart for Jaldapara, another National Park of West Bengal famous for the population of the One Horned Rhino is the Gorumara National Pak. The various wildlife officers of this National Park viz. the office of the Divisional Forest Officer (Jaldapara National Park) is located at Nilkuthi in Cooch Behar and the office of the Assistant Wildlife Warden is located at Madarighat that is the heart of the Jalpdapara National Park.
The Jaldapara National Park can be defined to be a part of the Buxa Forest Division and the place is managed for tourism purpose and it was first constituted in an area of 99.51 sq. km. as a Game Sanctuary and it was mostly created for the conservation of the Indian One Horned Rhinoceros species. The area of 100.98 sq. km. was added to the Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary in 1990 and the place was declared as the Jaldapara National Park in 2012 and it became a part of the Dooars Elephant Reserve in Northern Bengal. What started as a National Park that is famed for its population of the Indian One Horned Rhinoceros, today Jaldapara National Park come a long way when it comes to its rich biodiversity, and apart from the rhinoceros, other animal species to be found here are that of Indian Elephants, Leopards, Sambar, barking deer, spotted deer, Hog deers, wild boar, etc. The forest of the Jaldapara National Park resemble very much the forests of Kaziranga National Park in Assam (home to the highest population of the Indian One Horned Rhinoceros) and it mostly comprises of the savannah coupled with tall elephant grass. Earlier various tribes used to inhabit the area and the Jaldapara National Park and they were mostly the Todo tribes and the Mech tribes and at that time the place was called as the ‘Totopara’.
Apart from the various animals to be found at the forest reserves of Jaldapara National Park various bird species both resident and migratory come to the place as well and this is the very few places in the country where the rare Bengal Florican bird is spotted apart from the Manas National Park and Kaziranga National Park in Assam. Various other bird species recorded at the Jaldapara National Park are the Crested Eagle, Palka’s fish eagle, Shikara, Jungle Fowl, Partridge, Lesser Pied Hornbills, etc. Various reptile species known to be recorded at the forests of Jaldapara National Park are that of rock pythons, monitor lizards, kraits, cobras, geckos, etc. Ecotourism has gained phenomenon at Jaldapara National Park and the forest authorities have tried their best to promote this destination as a unique eco-friendly place for the tourists. The various forest types of Jaldapara National Park can be defined as Northern dry deciduous, eastern terrain sal, sub Himalayan mixed, northern tropical evergreen, sal savannah, lower alluvial savannah, etc. Also when it comes to the fauna of the place, Jaldapara National Park has a total of 585 species of flowering plants that belong to 111 families. There are 71 grass species, 19 orchard species and 47 endangered species of plants as well.
It can be said that as the Jaldapara National Park is situated on the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, the park boasts of some of the most luxuriant vegetation and rich variety of wildlife and the River Tosha allows the vegetation to harbour and prosper across the Jaldapara National Park. Also flowing nearby is the Malangi river that basically flows down from the direction of east to west thereby bringing in fertile soil to the Jaldapara National Park that enriches the flora of the park and this is in turn great for the fauna and avifauna of the park as well. To explore the forest reserves of Jaldapara National Park there are two modes of safari options present and one is the elephant safari ride and the other is the jeep safari or 4×4 safari ride and visitors coming to Jaldapara National Park can take the opportunity of exploring the forest reserves and get to witness the varied wildlife of the place in these two safari rides. The elephant safari rides are conducted in the morning slot and visitors who come to Jaldapara National Park and halt at the Holong lodge or the other tourism lodges prefer to go for this safari ride in the morning time. The jeep safari rides are open to guests on two timing slots one is available in the morning time and the other in the afternoon time and this is prominent and similar across most of the other Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Park s of the country that allow the visitors to go inside the forest reserves and explore the place in such safari rides.
Visitors who come to explore the forests of Jaldapara National Park are sure not to leave disappointed because this National Park in the Dooars region of Northern Bengal is a delight for all nature, wildlife and bird lovers. Jaldapara National Park is home to 33 species of mammals that comprise of herbivores and carnivores and there are approximately 246 species of birds to be found inside the forest reserves of the park as well. In addition to the mammals and birds that are to be found inhabiting the forests of Jaldapara National Park, additionally there are 29 species of retiles, 8 species of turtles, 88 species of fishes and hundreds of other micro fauna species as well. In addition to the main attraction of the Indian One Horned Rhinoceros, two other mega herbivores of Jaldapara National Park are the Indian Elephants and the Indian Gaurs. Visitors going for safari inside the forest reserves of Jaldapara National Park can also try their luck to sight the other animal species of the likes of the leopards, leopard cats, Hog deers, Sambar Deers, Jungle Cats, Fishing cats, Indian Pangolins, Chinese Pangolins, Hispid Hare and off course the grand great Indian Hornbill bird species as well.
The thrilling elephant safari rides into the forest reserves of Jaldapara National Park is conducted in the early morning session and the place to reach to enjoy the elephant safari ride is at Holong and visitors can board the elephant back to go for a thrilling safari ride across the vast grasslands of Jaldapara National Park. It must be noteworthy to mention that the elephant safari rides into the forest reserves of Jaldapara National Park need to be booked priorly as the seats are limited and the number of visitors are more who come to explore the Jaldapara National Park along with Buxa Tiger Reserve and the vast biodiversity of the Dooars region of Northern Bengal. The elephant back rides provide an aerial view of the forest reserves of Jaldapara National Park and riding on the elephant back visitors can get the opportunity to sight the One Horned Rhinoceros, Gaurs, various deer species and the other flora and fauna of Jaldapara National Park. Visitors who do not get the opportunity to get their elephant rides and also certain visitors who visit Jaldapara National Park choose not to go for the elephant rides need not be disappointed as there is another mode of exploration of the forest reserves of Jaldapara National Park on the jeep safari ride. The jeep safari rides allows visitors to travel deeper into the forest reserves of Jaldapara National Park and spot various species of animals and birds inside the forest reserves.
The jeep safari rides inside the forest reserves of Jaldapara National Park can be done from the Madirahat Jaldapara tourist lodge as well as the Kodalbari part of the Chilapata range. The best way to reach Jaldapara National Park is to board a train from Kolkata and come to the Madirahat railhead that is the nearest rail junction to the Jaldapara National Park. Visitors who want a more personal ride can come to the Bagdogra airport and catch a cab to come to the Jaldapara National Park as well and alternately you can hire a cab from Kolkata to come to Jaldapara National Park as well. However with air travel gaining popularity among the masses in the country, visitors can come to Jaldapara National Park by accessing the Bagdogra airport. There are flights to Bagdogra not only from Kolkata but various other cities of the country as well and once can simple hire the services of the taxi can present outside the airport to travel to Jaldapara National Park in North Bengal as well. To stay around the forests of Jaldapara National Park, visitors can choose to stay at the Madarihat tourist lodge, Madarihat youth hostel or even the Holong forest bungalow. As Jaldapara National Park has now gained popularity there are also various private resorts, guest houses and homestays to be found outside the area of the Jaldapara National Park.
Once you are here at Jaldapara National Park and you have your elephant rides booked at the park you have to ensure to reach on time to prepare to travel to your safari visit and the elephant safari rides inside the forest reserves of Jaldapara National Park conducted on three sessions inside the park with the first session being as early as 5.30AM in the morning. The elephant safari rides are of one hour duration and they happen at 5.30AM, 6.30AM and 7.30AM slots. Visitors who choose to go for elephant safari rides inside the forest reserves of Jaldapara National Park have to report atleast 15 minutes prior to the elephant safari slot time they have been assigned and also they have to report at the Hollong tourist lodge and NEC tower at Borodabri. Each elephant ride will carry a maximum of four people and only infants are allowed to sit on the laps of the tourists. The 4×4 safari inside the forests of Jaldapara National Park can be booked priorly to the date of safari and these safari rides are conducted in the morning and afternoon sessions inside the forests of Jaldapara National Park. These car safari rides inside Jaldapara National Park are conducted across various routes of the park and one route that takes visitors on a thrilling safari ride is from the Madarihat Hollong Gate to return via the Jaldapara Watch tower and the Harindanga watch tower.
Another route that takes visitors on a thrilling jeep safari ride is via the Salkumar Gate and back and this is via the Jaldapara Watch tower and the Haridaya watch tower and this route is a speciality of sighting the rhinoceros of the park and the woodlands of the sub Himalayas along with the evergreen forests are the main sights to be viewed. Being rich in flora and vegetation, this range is where visitors to Jaldapara National Park can have the opportunity to sight the barking deers or the sambar deer group of Jaldapara National Park and the herds can be seen crossing the forest floors from your jeep safari ride. The sighting of the Indian One Horned rhinoceros and the Indian Gaurs are a plus point on this safari route of Jaldapara National Park. The third route for jeep safari is the Chilapata Gate and back and this is via the Bania watch tower, Mendabari watch tower and the Bania ruins as well.
Once you are here at Jaldapara National Park and you have your elephant rides booked at the park you have to ensure to reach on time to prepare to travel to your safari visit and the elephant safari rides inside the forest reserves of Jaldapara National Park conducted on three sessions inside the park with the first session being as early as 5.30AM in the morning. The elephant safari rides are of one hour duration and they happen at 5.30AM, 6.30AM and 7.30AM slots. Visitors who choose to go for elephant safari rides inside the forest reserves of Jaldapara National Park have to report atleast 15 minutes prior to the elephant safari slot time they have been assigned and also they have to report at the Hollong tourist lodge and NEC tower at Borodabri. Each elephant ride will carry a maximum of four people and only infants are allowed to sit on the laps of the tourists. The 4×4 safari inside the forests of Jaldapara National Park can be booked priorly to the date of safari and these safari rides are conducted in the morning and afternoon sessions inside the forests of Jaldapara National Park. These car safari rides inside Jaldapara National Park are conducted across various routes of the park and one route that takes visitors on a thrilling safari ride is from the Madarihat Hollong Gate to return via the Jaldapara Watch tower and the Harindanga watch tower.
Another route that takes visitors on a thrilling jeep safari ride is via the Salkumar Gate and back and this is via the Jaldapara Watch tower and the Haridaya watch tower and this route is a speciality of sighting the rhinoceros of the park and the woodlands of the sub Himalayas along with the evergreen forests are the main sights to be viewed. Being rich in flora and vegetation, this range is where visitors to Jaldapara National Park can have the opportunity to sight the barking deers or the sambar deer group of Jaldapara National Park and the herds can be seen crossing the forest floors from your jeep safari ride. The sighting of the Indian One Horned rhinoceros and the Indian Gaurs are a plus point on this safari route of Jaldapara National Park. The third route for jeep safari is the Chilapata Gate and back and this is via the Bania watch tower, Mendabari watch tower and the Bania ruins as well.
Since you are visiting Jaldapara National Park you need to be advised that that the stay options around this National Park are limited and the most popular and desired stay options remains to be that of the Hollong Tourist lodge of the place and guests have to book their accommodations at this place much ahead of their visit as this is a very popular stay option at the place. The common highlights of your stay experience at the Hollong tourist lodge amidst the dense forests of Jaldapara National Park is that you can get a comfortable jungle stay experience here and hear the roar of the wild elephants and the cries of various other animals that is a complete nature environment away from the noisy city life. The rooms present here are limited to five and so one needs to be lucky to find accommodation here at Jaldapara National Park during the peak tourist season and all the rooms here are quite spacious, well maintained and all basic amenities are to be found here as well. During your stay at the Hollong tourist lodge at Jaldapara National Park, there are very good chances of visitors being able to sight the leopards, elephants, sambar deers, barking deers, spotted deers, hog deers, wild boars and even the bison species of Jaldapara National Park as well. Both the modes of jungle safaris are conducted from the Hollong tourist lodge and visitors can get the opportunity to go for the early morning elephant safari rides from this place as well as the jeep safari rides as well.
The elephant safari seats inside the forests of Jaldapara National Park are limited and so visitors who come to Jaldapara National Park and do not get the option of elephant safari need not be disheartened and instead they can opt for the jeep safari ride that is an equally thrilling safari experience as well. Also in case you do not get a booking at the Hollong tourist lodge at Jaldapara National Park then again do not get disheartened because there are various more accommodation options available in the form of tourist lodges and even resorts as well. The jeep safari is one of the very important safari ride modes you can choose from and it is organized by the forest authorities of Jaldapara National Park and it starts in the early morning mostly from the compound area of the Hollong tourist lodge and visitors who go for the jeep safari rides can have the opportunity to witness the exquisite beauty of the grasslands of Jaldapara National Park. His safari mode cover more area across the forests of the Jaldapara National Park and therefore the chances to spot more of the flora and fauna of Jaldapara National Park is more and you can get lucky to sight one horned rhinoceros, Asian elephants and many other animals as well.
Jaldapara National Park is a paradise for bird watching and on your jeep safari rides you can enjoy a day of bird watching as well. A pair of binoculars is very much necessary to catch a glimpse of the various birds like the great Indian Hornbills, Rocket tailed Drongos, Asian flycatcher and also catch a glimpse of the beautiful setting sun across the horizon of the Jaldapara National Park as well. Around 240 species of birds are known to inhabit the grasslands, woodlands and water holes of Jaldapara National Park and the rich forest cover and shrub growth provides an ideal setting for the various bird species of Jaldapara National Park. Many of the other bird species to be found inhabiting the forests of Jaldapara National Park are green pigeons, hornbills, barbets, parakeets, cuckoo’s, babblers, thrushes, Brahminy ducks, etc. The various common Indian birds that are to be found at Jaldapara National Park are the Indian Shags, Egrets, lesser adjutant storks, pied wagtails, white breasted water hens, etc. And the night hunters roaming the forests of Jaldapara National Park are the owls and nightjars. Apart from the Hollong tourist lodge that still remains as the very popular stay option at the Jaldapara National Park, there are other accommodation options that are comfortable stay options as well.
These are the Buxa valley resort, Jaldapara Inn, Buxa Jungle lodge, Aranya tourism property and some other homestays and guest houses as well. The Jaldapara National Park can be declared to be one of the very pristine forest reserves falling under the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity and this is what makes the place rich in biodiversity that harbours a rich variety of flora, fauna and avifauna. The Chilapata forest area that is located nearby acts as a perfect corridor for the wild elephants between Jaldapara National Park and Buxa Tiger Reserve and also the Gorumara National Park. The elephant population across the forest reserve of this area is very healthy and is even growing and thereby various elephant herds can be seen roaming across the area. The other animal species to be found in the forest reserves of Jaldapara National Park are the leopards, elephants, sambar, barking deer, spotted deer, hog deers, wild boars, bison, etc.
Jaldapara National Park is a paradise for bird watching and on your jeep safari rides you can enjoy a day of bird watching as well. A pair of binoculars is very much necessary to catch a glimpse of the various birds like the great Indian Hornbills, Rocket tailed Drongos, Asian flycatcher and also catch a glimpse of the beautiful setting sun across the horizon of the Jaldapara National Park as well. Around 240 species of birds are known to inhabit the grasslands, woodlands and water holes of Jaldapara National Park and the rich forest cover and shrub growth provides an ideal setting for the various bird species of Jaldapara National Park. Many of the other bird species to be found inhabiting the forests of Jaldapara National Park are green pigeons, hornbills, barbets, parakeets, cuckoo’s, babblers, thrushes, Brahminy ducks, etc. The various common Indian birds that are to be found at Jaldapara National Park are the Indian Shags, Egrets, lesser adjutant storks, pied wagtails, white breasted water hens, etc. And the night hunters roaming the forests of Jaldapara National Park are the owls and nightjars. Apart from the Hollong tourist lodge that still remains as the very popular stay option at the Jaldapara National Park, there are other accommodation options that are comfortable stay options as well.
These are the Buxa valley resort, Jaldapara Inn, Buxa Jungle lodge, Aranya tourism property and some other homestays and guest houses as well. The Jaldapara National Park can be declared to be one of the very pristine forest reserves falling under the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity and this is what makes the place rich in biodiversity that harbours a rich variety of flora, fauna and avifauna. The Chilapata forest area that is located nearby acts as a perfect corridor for the wild elephants between Jaldapara National Park and Buxa Tiger Reserve and also the Gorumara National Park. The elephant population across the forest reserve of this area is very healthy and is even growing and thereby various elephant herds can be seen roaming across the area. The other animal species to be found in the forest reserves of Jaldapara National Park are the leopards, elephants, sambar, barking deer, spotted deer, hog deers, wild boars, bison, etc.
When it comes to exploring the places around Jaldapara National Park, the forest reserve that draws good attraction is that of the Chilapata Forest Reserve that is a very interesting nature trail for visitors who come to visit Jaldapara National Park and Buxa Tiger Reserve in the Dooars region of West Bengal. The Chilapata forests as mentioned earlier is a natural corridor for the Asiatic Elephant herds that travel from Jaldapara National Park to Buxa Tiger Reserve and therefore it is of prime importance to the tourists. The Chilapata forest offers amazing views of the natural landscapes and so you can ensure to visit this place during your visit to Jaldapara National Park. Another important place to visit that is located around 80km away from Jaldapara National Park is that Gorumara National Park that is also the habitat of the Indian One Horned Rhinoceros in West Bengal. The Gorumara National Park is present on the banks of river Murti and Raidak and this place is also located in the foothills of the towering Eastern Himalayas. The various animal species that are found in this Gorumara National Park are that of rhinos, elephants, Bison, peafowls, etc. and this is an extension of the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity region that is in tune with Jaldapara National Park.
Also once you come to visit Jaldapara National Park in the Dooars region of North Bengal and you have enjoyed your safari rides in the park then you go to enjoy your visit at the South Khairbari Nature Park that is located at Jaldapara National Park itself. This is importantly a tourist centre and also a rehabilitation centre cum Nature Park. To explore the forest reserves of South Khairbari Nature park visitors can go to explore the leopard territory in the battery driven cars and also this is the habitat of the various Royal Bengal tigers that were released from the circus parties. When you are exploring the forest reserves of the place you can have the opportunity to sight the herd of Wild Elephants and also the leopards that can be spotted at the river banks from atop the watch tower area here. The river Boori Torsa flows across the place and this brings in the fertile soil that is needed to rejuvenate the rich flora and vegetation of the area.
Today Jaldapara National Park along with Buxa Tiger Reserve are becoming very important tourist places in North Bengal mostly due to the presence of the One Horned Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tigers, Asiatic Elephants and the Bison species to be found here and guests from across the World come to visit these two National parks to enjoy their wildlife safaris and trekking experiences. The safaris and accommodations are booked much prior to the visit and hence you need to plan your visit much priorly to enjoy a hassle free travel experience at Jaldapara National Park in the Dooars region of Northern Bengal.
