DOOARS - the foothills of Himalaya
Dooars a vast area of lush green forests teemed with wildlife, unending tea gardens, interspersed with busy or sleepy settlements forms a fascinating tourist destination. Dooars, the gateway to Bhutan from India has become an important tourist place in the northern part of West Bengal and Eastern Himalayas of India. As there were many doors to connect Bhutan in the ancient times so people named the place as Dooars or Duars which means doors in Bengali, Assamese, Nepali and Bhutanese language.
We can have a glimpse of many rolling rivers like Tista, Toorsa, Jaldhaka, Kaljani, Daina and other hilly rivers which have been flowed with their roaring sounds through this 4750 sq.km area. The beauty of Dooars offers us to taste the nature through various ways like trekking, adventure sports and through National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries. Tourists can feast their eyes by having a glimpse of animals like elephants, wild squirrels, rhinoceros, wild boar, chital etc. within a certain time. This place is also known as the heaven of birds we can see many different kinds of Orchids over here.
Journey : Take a journey through train specially Kanchan Kanya Express from Sealdah and get down to either in Siliguri or New Jalpaiguri Junction(NGP) or Hasimara or Alipur Duar Jucntion. You can hire cars for few days from Siliguri. You can connect Jaldapara and Boxa forest from Alipur Duar Junction. You will get buses from Siliguri to cover different parts of places in Dooars. Many buses of NBSTC from Kolkata are also available to reach Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar and Alipur Duar. From Alipuarduar
The gateway to the lavish green forest of Gorumara and Champramari is Lataguri. We can connect Lataguri from Alipurduar by hiring cars or buses.This place is 50 kms far away from Jalpaiguri and 20 kms far from Chalsa. The orchid forest of lataguri attracts the tourists by its intoxicating beauty of greenery. A visit to this place and taking rest will definitely instill new life and inspiration. The term “Lata” means woods or timber. The timbers are now obsolete and for that reason the Govt. of West Bengal has declared Lataguri into an Eco-Tourism Place. Lataguri lies in a hand-shaking distance from Siliguri. Beside the zigzag pitch black road lies the Nature Interpretation Centre. In Lataguri we can find eye catching deer parks. The vast massive trees sheltering variety of wildlife and resounded with echoes of chirping makes it incredible to the tourists.
From the nearby forest department tourists can collect their permits to enter the forests of Gorumara, Champramari, Chukchuki, Medla, Khunia. Every Thursday the forest of Khunia & Chapramari remains closed. The tourist can have a marvelous view of these forests which can take the tourist into a world which is completely different from the cacophonic cities. Champramari is located at a distance of 30km from Lataguri. It is a home town for several Bengal tigers. A wide variety of birds can be found here. Tourists can find a wide range of flora and fauna. Tourists can come to Moinaguri which is at a distance of 3km and can have a glimpse of sacred Jalpeshshiv Mandir. There are several hotels and resorts to stay in this greenery place. The tourists can also book their hotels inside the forests from the West Bengal Tourism office. There are saome hotels and resorts like Jungle Neer(ph 9433395517) rates between Rs.800/- – Rs.1200/-, Lake View Resort(ph- 03561-266415) rates between Rs.700/- - Rs.1000/-, Panchabati Forest Resort(ph- 03561-266284) rates between Rs.1200/- - Rs.1400/-.
After visiting to Lataguri now it’s the time to unfold the mystery of Jaldapara National Park. Jaldapara is engulfed by sky touching tall trees. This sanctuary is abounded in the fascinating diversity of flora. It encompasses a wide range of animals. The main attraction of Jaldapara is one horned rhinoceros. Tourists can take an elephant ride to have a glimpse of one horned rhinoceros. One can hear the lullaby of Tista that flows from east to west.The dense forests interwoven by teesta trotting and rolling down the hills. The forest of Jaldapara is savannah type. It is fully covered with tall elephant grasses. A wide range of chirping birds can also be found here. Tourists can taste the innocence and can unfold the mysterious beauty of this forest.
Another mysterious attraction is Khayerbari where we can visit the South Khayerbari Nature Park & Leopard Rehabilitation Center. Tourist can spend a luxurious night in Hollong Forest lodge(ph 03563-262228) and in Jaldapara tourist lodge(ph 03563-262230).
In the early morning tourists can feel the charms of Buxa, Jayanti & Rajabhatkhawa. Rajabhatkhawa is the gate way to Buxa Tiger Project which is located 17 kms far from Alipurduar. The Buxa Tiger Project covers an area of 765 sq.km. after crossing Chilpata forest. Simul, Sal, Khoyer, Segun etc trees are available in this forest and different melodious songs of birds are being heard over here. This forest lies beside Raydok river.
After crossing a little distance of 10 kms from Rajabhatkhawa to Buxa More we will reach to Santalabari from where we will reach in Buxa Fort by walking distance of 5kms from Santalabari through the forest. We will reach to our next destination i.e. Jayanti which is 13 kms far from Buxaduar. Jayanti is a place of few inhabitants beside the river Jayanti where we can see the sign of broken railway over it. If we stand beside the bank of the river the forest will remind us again. We will meet with the God of Mahakal Temple if we travel for 2 hours from here. Pukhri hills is 2kms away from the beautiful place. We will return to Jaldapara Tourist Lodge and spend the night.
In this day we will wake up early in the morning and have our breakfast because we will leave for an adventure in Gorumara. The Gorumara National Park had maintained an area of 8.61 sq.km in the year of 1976 and honoured as Wildlife Sanctuary in the same year. It was considered as 5th National Park of West Bengal in the year of 1980. But now the area of this National Park has increased up to 79.45 sq.km. Sight seen time is 2hrs.Ticket cost for each is Rs.40, Car charges Rs.60 and Guide charges Rs.80(upto 10 person) and Rs.160(over 10 persons). The forest authority have the facility of jeep safari.
This forest got its importance for giving shelter to the wild animals like bison, Indian one-horned rhino and elephants. The forest is being covered with many green plans and timbers like Simul, Siris, Katus, Lali etc. trees. We will experience grass land beneath the Edong river from the Rhino Point Watch Tower is beside the forest bungalow. If we stay at night in the forest bungalow then we can spot the wild animals with the help of spot lights from the watch tower. We can feel the favourable sight of Murti river and a wonderful meetings of bosons, rhinos, elephants, deer, peacocks and wild cocks from Yatraprosad Watch Tower which is located 1.5 kms away from the forest bungalow. To experience the adventure of Gorumara people used to stay in the wooden furnished forest bungalow along with their ration. Booking of this done from DFO(Jalpaiguri). Otherwise we will stay the night in Murti Resort. People can aslo stay in Gorumara Eco Village Cottage(ph- 9932543943)with fooding & lodging within Rs.2800 – Rs.3300.
Jhalong is not only a place beside Jaldhaka river for natural side seen but also an Eden for bird watchers. After feeling the warm of this nature of Jhalong we will get out for Paren where we will see orange trees beside the roads and different colored wooden cottages. Paren is a place from where we can connect to Bindu which is the border where our land(India) & Bhutan meets.
Tourists can stay in the hotels in Bindu or can stay in the cottages of Forest Development Office(Jhalong). People can book to stay in Jhalong River Camp Bungalow(Rs.1200/-) or in Jhalong River Camp Tent(Rs.800/-) from West Bengal Forest Development Corporation(22370061/22258549).
The next fascinating and breath taking spot rich in flora and fauna is Samsing, Suntalekhola and Rocky Island for watching the tea gardens and orange gardens. Suntalekhola is the name of the river. Beside the both banks of the river is covered with orange and cardamom trees. A visit to this place soothes the mind from the cacophonic metro life. In a nutshell the exquisite beauty has welcomed the domestic as well as international tourists.
