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Jaldapara Wild Life Sanctuary |
Location of Jaldapara |
 The
Jaldapara Wild Life Sanctuary is situated at the foothills
of Eastern Himalayas and on the bank of river Torsa in West
Bengal. The vast grassland with patches of riverine forests,
was declared a sanctuary in 1943 for protection of the great
variety flora and fauna. Principle among them is the Asiatic
one horned Rhino. The Jaldapara sanctuary is a mixture of
a mosaic of woods, grassland, swamps and streams. The Sanctuary
covers an area of 216.51 sq km.
Drained by rivers Torsa, Malangi, Hollong,
Chirakhawa, Kalijhora, Sissamara, Bhaluka and Buri Torsa,
the Sanctuary provides extensive grassland which is last refuge
to a wide variety of mammals, amphibians, reptiles and birds. |
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Wild Life in Jaldapara |
The main attraction in Jaldapara apart
form its exquisite natural beauty, is the Asiatic one horned
rhino which can be seen from the Elephant back, while driving
on roads or froma a watchtower. The Jaldapara sanctuary holds
the maximum number of rhino population in India after Kajiranga
National Park in Assam.
One can come accross Elephants wandering
in the woodland and frequenting the open grasslands, rivers
and glades. Massive Tuskers and Makhnas, Indian Bison, Hog
Deer, Spotted Deer, magnificent pied Hornbill, colourful Green
Pigeon, Indian Peafowl and other feathered beauties will greet
your eyes at the windowsill of the hollong lodge.
Elephant ride by a tourists family Herds of Gaur (Indian Bison) are easily
sighted during early morning and late evening. Deer are well
represented here with four species, the Chital, the Hog deer,
the Sambar and the Barking deer. Sambar, the largest of Asiatic
deer, is usually seen in a small family group in the woodland
and along streams. Unlike Chital, Hog deer are basically solitary
in nature and Barking deer is a small deer notable for its
loud alarm call like the bark of a dog. Wild pigs can be seen
in small parties around river banks and open grounds engaged
in digging out tubers and bulbs. Tigers and leopards are the
main predators in this reserve, though seen rarely by the
tourist. Lesser cats of the reserve are jungle cat, leopard
cat and fishing cat. Other important animals in the sanctuary
are the common otter, the small and large Indian civet, Giant
squirrel, Indian pangolin, Hispid hare, Indian porcupine and
Indian Rock Python. |
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For the Botanist |
Different vegetation types are met in
the Sanctuary. The major area comprises northern dry deciduous
forest, moist mixed forest, Sal-Khair Sissoo association (Riverine)
and alluvial Savannah. More than 30% of the total area is
under grassland. Dense stand of grasses are comprised of Saccharum
spp.; Themeda arundinacea, T. villosa, Setaria Palmifolia,
Cymbopogon spp., Thysanolaena maxima, Phragmites Karka, Arundo
donax and Imperata cycliderica.
Interspersed in the grassland are trees
such as Sissoo, Khair, simul, Siris etc. Flood plain grassland
interspersed with marshy and swampy land and the adjoining
riverine forests are the ideal habitat of the Rhinoceros and
other inhabitants.
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Birds in Jaldapara |
Jaldapara is a paradise for bird watchers.
It is one of the very few places in India, where the Bengal
Florican can be sighted. Jaldapara is exceptionally rich in
avifauna because of varied terrain, mosaic of vegetation and
rich insect life. More than 240 species of birds are found
in variety of habitat – grassland, water bodies and
woodland.
The Grassland of Dooars The
varied tree forests and rich shrub growth on the forest floor
provide ideal setting for many woodland birds, such as Green
Pigeons, Hornbills, Barbets, Parakeets, Woodpeckers, Cuckoos,
Orioles, Drongos, Babblers, Thrushes etc. Brahminy ducks,
Whistling Teals and Merganser are winter visitors. The most
common birds are the large and little Cormorant, Indian Shag,
Darter, Egret, Pied Wagtail, River Lapwing, Moorhen, White
Breasted Waterhen etc.
The hunters in Jaldapara are the Owls and
Nightjars. Crested serpent Eagle is common raptorial bird.
The other main birds of prey are Pallas’s Fishing Eagle,
Pied Harrier, Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrow Hawk etc. A
variety of birds, typical of grassland and open country, can
be seen from watchtowers viz. Doves, Bee-eaters, Rollers,
Hoopoe, Shrikes, Larks, Hill Mynas, Bulbuls, Finches. Call
of the Red jungle fowl is as common as the musical sound of
crickets. Bengal Florican, Black partridge, Shaheen Falcon,
Great Pied Hornbills, Forest Eagle Owl, Large Green billed
Malkoha and White Rumped Vulture, Lesser Adjutant Stork are
the endangered bird species found in the Sanctuary. Some fortunate
visitors can see the Peacock displaying his full array of
feathers during the breeding season. |
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Activities |
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An
adventurous elephant ride in the morning will take you deep
inside the grassland for the real excitement. The sights of
rhino in a muddy pond, the herd of elephants or the running
deer are the thrilling experiences in Jaldapara. Jeep safari
inside the forest is also organised on a regular basis. Please
note the elephant rides are booked on the spot and can not
be reserved in advance. |
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Places Around |
Rhino from Watch tower Totopara, adjacent to the Jaldapara sanctuary
is a major attraction for those interested in ethnic tourism.
Toto Para is the only settlement for the Totos, one of the
most endangered ethnic communities in the world. Their numbers
are now reduced to mere a thousand. Lot of initiatives has
been taken by the governmental and non-governmental agencies
for the uplifting their living condition. However, to live
with them and to observe their traditional cultures can still
be a precious experience.
Hidden deep inside the Chilapata Forests the ruins of a thousand
yeas old fort of Nal King has a tremendous historical and archeological
importance. Built in the 5th century during the Gupta Empire the
ruins still recall the memories of the Golden Age. Because the site
is not
maintained properly, it has now become the play
ground for leopards, snakes and other animals. Other destinations
of Dooars can also be visited from Jaldapara on a day trip. |
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Where to Stay |
The Holong Bungalow Accomodation for the tourists visiting Jaldapara is arranged in
the Madarihat tourist bungalow or Holong tourist lodge. The Holong
lodge is inside the forest and is preferred over Madarihat Bungalow
which is on the forest fringe. Since the number of rooms in Holong
is very limited, availability is a big question mark unless you
are booking months in advance. naturebeyond provides booking in
this lodges for its guests on a regular basis.
Please Note :
1. During the rainy season the sanctuary remains
closed to tourists. The duration is normally between June 15 to September 15
2. Outsiders can visit the forest only during
visiting hours from 9 AM till 4 PM. |
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Jaldapara Travel Enquiry form (* marked fields are compulsory) |
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