Jalpaiguri
A district with abundance of natural beauty mainly tea plantations
and deep forests teeming with wild life is situated in the foothills
of lower Himalayas in North Bengal boarding with Bangladesh, Bhutan
and North Eastern States of India. The larger part of the Dooars
valley comes under the Jalpaiguri district of the state. Innumerable
rivers and their tributaries enhance the scenic beauty of the place.
The undulating slopes covered with lush green teagardens and forests
separated by meandering streams and small ethnic villages have brought
Jalpaiguri in the most favoured tourist places in North Bengal.
Jalpaiguri - this narrow stretch of land lying between the Sikkim
- Darjeeling Himalayas and Gangetic West Bengal has more than often
evoked a sense of both eerie and romanticism in many a heart since
the early British Rule. Veined by mighty rivers like the Teesta,Torsa,
Jaldhaka, Dyna, Neora, Sankosh etc. this piece of land has been
aptly named as the land of 'Tea, Timber & Tourism'. A major
stretch of area is bordered in the north by Bhutan and hence the
name - DOOARS/DUARS which mean - Door of Bhutan.
Excursion
Buxa Tiger Reserve
Buxa
Tiger Reserve, in the subdivision of Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri district,
was set up in the year of 1982-83 at the north eastern corner of
West Bengal bordering Bhutan and Assam. It is declared a National
Park in January 1992. The name "Buxa Tiger" has been derived
from Buxa Fort - a fort at an altitude of 867 meters on the Sinchula
Range guarding the most important of the eleven routes into Bhutan,
which once was used for detainees during freedom movement of India.
With an area of 759sq km this picturesque reserve with its prodigious
Terai, Bhabar as well as Hilly landscape, crisscrossed by numerous
rivers and their tributaries, presents a breathtaking landscape.
Buxa is rich with bio-diversity and has a great collection of rare
orchids and medicinal plants. Because of inaccessible terrain some
parts of Buxa hills in the Sinchula range are still unexplored.
The veritable flora and fauna of these wet forests attracts tourists
and nature lovers every year. The Generic diversity of mammals is
second highest among all the tiger reserves of India. Astonishing
bio-diversity of animals comprise of a reach avifauna of more than
230 identified species, 67 mammals and 36 species of reptiles.
Mammal
Apart from Bengal Tiger the flagship species, there are plenty of
Leopard, Fishing Cat, Leopard Cat, Jungle Cat, Indian Civet, Palm
Civet, Wild Dogs, Malayan Gaint Squirrels, Mangooses, Asian Elephant,
Gaur, Small Clawless Otter, Chital, Sambar, Barking Deer, Hog Deer,
Wild Buffalo, 3 varieties of Pythons, Monitor Lizard and a host
of land tortoises. A number of animals like Chinese Pangolin. Regal
Python (reticulate) Clouded Leopard are endemic to the region.
Birds
The Avifauna is rich in both endemic as well as migratory species.
The swift rivers of Rydak and Jainti are visited by Trans Himalayan
Migratory Goosanders, the beautiful Ibis Bill, resident Fork-tails,
varieties of Red-stars, Wag-tails, the Narathali Lake is visited
by migratory Common Teal, Gargani Teal, Large Whistling Teal, White
Eyed Poachared etc. The Hornbills including greater Pied Hornbill
abound the area. One of the rarest birds of India the Black-necked
Crane has been sighted in the Reserve during the early winter. The
migratory beautiful Black Stork is a visitor of the area. The monsoon
ends and beautiful Minivets, Sultan tits arrive, during summer rare
Ashyminivet is also sighted.
Buxa fort
Several trek routes originate from Buxa. Most popular trek starts
from Santrabari (914ft) to Buxaduar. A 5kms trek through the dense
forested hills leads to Buxaduar Forest Bungalow. Accommodation
is available here for the trekkers. Another 4 kms trek through the
forest track leads to the Rover's Point-the land of unknown birds
(4500ft). It is difficult to ignore the lure of Rupam Valley in
Bhutan, another 12 kms from there. The journey through the entire
region is full of unknown adventure and excitements and gives some
breathtaking views of Jayanti River Valley far below, ever green
forest canopy and glimpse of rare animals, flight of birds and colourful
orchids.
Jayanti
A picturesque spot along the meandering Jayanti River forming a
natural border with beautiful Bhutan hills Jayanti is a place to
stretch your weary legs as the cool breeze brushes away all the
exhaustions. Buxaduar to Jayanti is another popular trek in the
region. This 13 kms trek passes through the dense forest of Buxa
Tiger Reserve. The music of wilderness, the chirping of unknown
birds, the song of wild streams, fragrance of nature will never
allow you to feel the least stress of a long journey. The journey
ends with a warm reception of an old staggering priest at the stalactite
cave of Jayanti, popularly known as the Mahakal cave. It is difficult
to enter into the narrow, dark, damp cave but trying the same may
be another precious adventure. The downhill trek from here leads
to Jayanti Forest Bungalow.
Rajabhatkhawa
Rajabhatkhawa is only 12 kms from Jayanti and approachable by both
road and rail form Siliguri (153kms) and Alipurduar (17 kms). Surrounded
by dense forests of Buxa tiger reserve Rajabhatkhawa is an ideal
place for the wild life lovers. A watchtower deep inside the forest
gives the best opportunity to view elephant, bison and even tiger.
The Nature Interpretation Center at Rajabhatkhawa is another attraction.
There is a small bazaar and a beautiful small rail station. Accommodation
is available in forest rest house and also in a private rest house
named Gracilips.
Malbazar
At a distance of 40 km from Siliguri and 65 km from Jalpaiguri,
Malbazar is one of the more important towns in Dooars. The town
itself does not have much to offer to the tourists except for the
beautiful Mal Park. However, due to its strategic location on the
national highway, you can stay at Malbazar and visit the important
tourist destination of Eastern Dooars. Gorumara National Park, Chapramari
Wild Life Sanctuary, Jhalong, Bindu, Samsing, Suntalekhola are the
famous tourist spots in this area. Kumlai is a famous picnic spot
near Malbazar.
Rasikbill
74 km away from Alipurduar (via high road), Rasik Bill is situated
on the way of train journey from Alipurduars to Kamakshyaguri. There
is a huge lake ideal for eco-tourism activities. What attracts tourists
here is the wide variety of avifauna that is seen around here. The
bird variety includes cormorants, different varieties of storks,
ibis, spoonbill, kingfisher, parrots, owl and many others. There
is a large aquarium, a dear Park and a crocodile rehabilitation
center at Rasikbill.
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Weather
Temperature
Maximum Temperature : 30.9 degree celcius
Minimum Temperature : 10.8 degree celcius
Rainfall : 3160 mm.
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General Information & Accomdation info on Jalpaiguri city of
West Bengal - India
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