GORUMARA NATIONAL PARK

Gorumara National Park, a 79.99 sq Kms of diverse ecosystem at the foothills of the Bhutan Himalaya, in the area known as Dooars. However Gorumara is encircled by many ethnic villages. More than 10,000 resident forest villagers derive their income from sources including employment in forest department activities, ecotourism etc. Some of the villages are Sarswati, Budhuram, Bichabhanga, Chatua, Kailipur and Murti Forest Village. The park has recorded many species of mammals, birds, reptiles, turtles, fishes and other macro and micro fauna. The major conservation focus of the park is to maintain a viable breeding community of Indian Rhinoceroses. Poaching was a major issue in the park in the 1970s and 1980s, but now Gorumara is one of the parks least threatened by poaching, with the help of well-equipped rangers and the villagers. The park has been declared as the best among the protected areas in India by the Ministry of Environment and Forests for the year 2009.

Flora :
Sal forests with Common Teak, Rain Tree (Shirish or Albizia lebbeck), and Silk Cotton (Shimul or Bombax malabaricum) trees. Bamboo groves, Terai grassland vegetation and tropical riverine reeds. Gorumara is home to numerous tropical orchids.


Fauna :
The park has recorded 50 species of mammals, 193 species of birds, 22 species of reptiles, 7 species of turtles, 27 species of Fishes and other macro and micro fauna.
The watchtower beside the Forest Rest House gives a panoramic view of the entire park and the Murti Valley. The tower is the best place to observe wild animals. The Park is rich in large herbivores including Indian Rhinoceros, Gaur, Asian Elephant, Sloth Beer, Chital, and Sambar Deer. Small herbivores include Barking Deer, Hog Deer and Wild boar. The park has a large resident population of Wild boar, but the critically endangered Pygmy Hog has been reported from the park. It also has numerous Rodents, including Giant Squirrels . The rare Hispid Hare has also been reported from the park.

Gorumara National Park is famous for its bird population The area holds some spectacular birds. Listed major birds include Manipur Bush-Quail, Chestnut-breasted Partridge, Pale-headed Woodpecker, Great and Wreathed Hornbills, Blue-eared Barbet, Blyth’s and Ruddy Kingfishers, Asian Emerald Cuckoo, Spot-belied Eagle Owl, Hodgson’s Frogmouth, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Bengal Florican, Black-tailed Crake, Ibisbill, Black and Jerdon’s Baza, Oriental Hobby, Collared Falconet, White-bellied Heron, Malayan Night Heron, Lesser Adjutant, Blue-naped and Hooded Pittas,  Silver-breasted and long-tailed Broadbills, Collared Treepie, Slender-billed Oriole, Rusty-bellied Shortwing, Vivid Niltava, White-crowned Forktail, Jerdon’s Bushchat, Beautiful Nuthatch, Rufescent Prinia, Bright-headed Cisticola, Rufous-rumped Grassbird, Rufous-faced Warbler, Necklaced Laughingthrushes, Red-faced Liocichla, Coral-billed scimitar Babbler, Long-billed Wren Babbler, Wedge-billed Wren Babbler, Slender-billed Babbler, Cutia, Grey-headed and Greater Rufous –headed Parrotbills and Scarlet Finch.

Watchtowers :

Watch towers located at various points provide excellent facilities for Wildlife viewing. The best way to watch wildlife at the park is to use powerful binoculars, from the numerous well-located watchtowers at the park. The watchtowers are:

• Jatraprasad Watch Tower : Named after a legendary elephant.
• Rhino Observation Point : Watch tower in front of the Gorumara forest bungalow.
• Chandrachur Watch Tower (Old Khunia Watch Tower) : Near the Murti forest bungalow.
• Chukchuki Bird-watching Point : Good for birding.

One can also visit the adjoining forest villages to get acquainted with the lifestyle and culture of the villagers. A live show of the ethnic tribal dance can be seen every evening in Budhuram Forest Village.
One can visit the Lataguri Nature Interpretation Centre for an interpretive exhibit of the local natural history.



How to Reach :
By Air : Bagdogra (IXB) is the nearest Airport (Siliguri to Bagdogra 13 km.) 
By Rail : Nearest Railway Station is Madarihat only 7 kms from the Sanctuary. The park is accessible from the major rail stations at Siliguri, New Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cochbehar from where one can hire a jeep / car through National Highway 31 to Lataguri, the gateway to the park.

Accommodation : Eco Trails deals with some of the best Hotel and Resort in Gorumara National Park. Gorumara National Park provides a delightful alternative in the form of its few tourist resorts and hotels. Depending on your budget you can chose Deluxe, Super Deluxe and Standard Hotel. Many budget hotels are also have available offer in suites, deluxe/ semi-deluxe/ budget rooms and make you enjoy a reasonable and comfortable stay.

Food : You can choose your own Food Plan in your trip to Gorumara National Park. There are 04 optioned are available – i) European Plan ( EP ) – Room Only Basis. ii) Continental Plan ( CP ) - Room including with Breakfast only basis. iii) Modified American Plan ( MAP ) – Room including with Breakfast and either Lunch or Dinner. iv) American Plan ( AP ) - Room including Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Attraction : Bird Watching,Wildlife Watching,National Park Visit,Elephant Ride,Fauna and Flora Exploration,Wildlife watching from Watch Tower,Forest Drive,Local Cultural Experience,Village Walk

Activities : Bird Watching,Wildlife Watching,National Park Visit,Forest Walk,Flora and Fauna Exploration,Village Walk,Wildlife watching from Watch Tower,Forest Drive,Elephant Ride,Local Cultural Experience

 

CHILAPATA NATIONAL PARK

The Chilapata Forest is a dense forest near Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary in Dooars, Jalpaiguri District. It is about 20 km from Alipurduar, and just a few minutes away from Hasimara town. The forest forms an elephant corridor between Jaldapara 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 extremely rare. Leopards are still common. It is hoped that eco-tourism will provide a new source of income for the indigenous Rabha people, who now depend on the forest mainly for firewood. The chief attraction at Chilapata is the "Nalraja Garh" or the fort of the Nal kings. The fort was built during the Gupta period in the fifth century, although the fort itself is in ruins now, it has tremendous archeological importance and reminds one of the golden age in the history of India. The site is not maintained very well and wildlife sighting at this place is not unusual.

Places to See At Chilapat National Park :

Chilapata preserves wildlife in its core. The forest of Chilapata abounds in a jumble of birds and animals. Chilapata itself is a world of colorful and beautiful birds like Fishing Eagle, Shikra, Crested Eagle, Jungle Fowl, Peafowl, Partridge, Bengal Florican, Paradise Flycatcher, Racket-tailed Drongo and Pied Hornbill. The forest is never at ease due to the continuous fluttering of birds.
Chilapata is a hub of wild animals. It crawls with different species of the Asian Rhino, Asian Elephant, Leopard, Sambar Deer, Hog Deer, Barking Deer, Wild Pig, Hispid Hare and Bison.
Reptiles like python, krait, cobra, water monitor and freshwater turtles enrich the wildlife of Chilapata that is the most precious treasure of North Bengal.
Chilapata boasts about not only its geographical importance but archaeological and historical importance as well. The “Nalraja Garh” or “Mendabari Fort” located near the Bania River is one of the chief lures of Chilapata. The ruins of the fort tell the history of the Nal Kings. The construction of the fort traces back to the Gupta period, the Golden Era of Indian history in the 5th century.


How to Reach :

By Air : The nearest airport is Bagdogra (IXB).

By Rail : The nearest railhead is Alipurduar in the district of Jalpaiguri, situated 25 KM from the Chilapata National Park. New Jalpaiguri (NJP) station is one of major railhead for tourist to enter into the Dooars Region.

Accommodation : In Chilapata National Park, Eco Jungle Camp is the best option to stay. In the camp all cottages  are ethnic in style that respect local rural architecture and constructed with local materials. Spotless rooms with modern bath. Large dining surrounded by lush green village gardens, trees. 

Food : We serve local dishes specially and tastefully cooked for you by trained local chef. Much variety is not possible owing to the remoteness of the area; yet best possible food is provided under strict hygienic supervision. Vegetables come from the organic gardens of the village, fresh fish from the local rivers and ponds, chicken from the village farms.

Activities : Wildlife Watching, Bird Watching, National Park, Village Walk, Forest Drive, Forest Walk, Forest Cycle Ride, Tea Garden Visit, Flora and Fauna Exploration, Nalraja Garh Visit, Cochbehar Royal Palace Visit, Local Cultural Experience, Local Market Visit

Attraction : Bird Watching,Wildlife Watching,National Park Visit,Forest Drive,Flora and Fauna Exploration,Forest Cycle Ride, Local Cultural Experience,Folk Music,Village Walk,Local Market,Nalraja Garh,Cochbehar Royal Palace