DOOARS - The Foothills of Himalaya
A journey through the rolling hill slopes, widespread lush green tea gardens separated by meandering silvery mountain streams, high Sal forests, small quiet ethnic villages, vast meadows with a blue outline of the great Himalayan ranges in the horizon, endless sky. . . . . you are in god's own land, Dooars!
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.
Lataguri is the gateway to the lavish green forest of Gorumara and Champramari. One can visit the Nature Interpretation Center that is located here. You can get information on the various varieties of flora and fauna in the center. 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. This place is homeland of elephants, rhinoceros, sambar deer, bison, gaur, hispid hare, leopard. A wide variety of birds that can be seen here.
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.
Jungle Neer
9433395517
Traiff: 800/- to 1200/-
Lake View Resort
(03561) 266415
Traiff: 700/- to 1000/-
Panchabati Forest Resort
(03561) 266284
Traiff: 1200/- to 1400/-
After visiting to Lataguri now it’s the time to unfold the mystery of Jaldapara National Park. This magnificent piece of land declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1991 to maintained and established precisely for the protection of the Indian one-horned rhino, Jaldapara is situated in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas. The river Torsha flows through this rain forest sanctuary which is mostly covered with lush green grasslands. The sanctuary encompasses luxuriant vegetation and a rich variety of wildlife. The mesmerizing Malangi River also dancing & spreads its charm from east to west. Riding elephants is the only way to move inside this forest and Visiting time is 9A.M. to 4 p.m.
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 Asiatic one-horned rhinoceros. Tourists can take an elephant ride to have a glimpse of one horned rhinoceros. The wildlife sanctuary holds the highest rhino population in India, there are 155 rhinoceroses in Jaldapara, after Kaziranga National Park in Assam. The other species like tigers, elephants, deers, sambhar, barking deer, spotted deer, hog deer, wild pig and bison can be easily sighted. 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.
Jaldapara is one of the very few places in India, where the Bengal Florican is seen. The forest area is also a part of the crested eagle, Pallas's fishing eagle and shikra, besides jungle fowl, peafowl, patridges, and lesser pied hornbill. The remaining lot of the Jaldapara is equally fascinating with the Python, monitor lizards, kraits, cobras, geckos and about 8 species of water turtles.
ENTRY FEE :- 40/- (Per Person)
CAR SAFARI :- 60/- (Per Person)
GUIDE :- 80/- (10 Person), 160(Above 10 Person)
25 Persons not allow in one time.
50 persons are allow For Holidays
Jungle closed on Thrusday.
Collect your day visit pass from Lataguri Interpretation
Centre Chapramari
& Chukchuki Wildlife Santuary 40/100
For More Information Call: Range Officer: (03561) 266340
You can hire Jeep/Maruti from Lataguri only Rs. 600/- to 800/- only.
Medla Watch Tower entry fee - 100/-.
Gorumara Eco Village
9932543943
Traiff: 2800/- to 3300/-
DFO, Jalpaiguri
(03561) 224907/220017
Gorumara Elephant camp
Cottage/Tree House 2800/- (2 Person),
3300/- (3 Person)
(03561) 220017/266340
Kolkata- 9433603307
The Riverwood Forest Resort
(03561) 32935749/9830867600
Crossway
9831047751/9831027211
Holiday Managers
9748114667
Diamond
(03561) 22259639
Buxa Tiger Reserve, at the eastern most end of Dooars valley, borders Bhutan and Assam. This 759.26 sq. km. reserve with a core area of 315 sq. km. is somewhat contiguous with Manas National Park and forms an important elephant migratory corridor between India and Bhutan. There is tremendous animal and plant biodiversity in the area and 60 per cent of the species found here are endemic to the reserve. The elephant and the tiger are prime species found in the reserve 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. Buxa tiger resrve has a great collection of rare orchids and medicinal plants.
If we want to start our journey from Canning then you have to avail train from Sealdah South Section to Canning by Canning local. After reaching Canning you have to go to ferryghat by a 7 mins walk through Canning Bazar. With the help of the ferry service you will cross Matla-Purondar to Dockghat. Taking a ferry service through Bidyadhari rivers From here you have to borrow a van/share auto/48 no. bus to reach Sonakhali. Taking a ferry service through Bidyadhari rivers you will reach to the Gosaba island which is the gateway of Eastern Sundarban. Either from Gosaba in 13:00hrs we will take ferry to sajnekhali tourist lodge then to Satjeliya or from Gosaba Bazar we can borrow a rickshaw to reach pakhiralay village, from here we have to take ferry service to Sajnekhali (Tiger Reserve Project) which is situated the meeting point of river Gomoti & Pitchkhali.
The another way to reach Sundarban you need to travel by Auto Riksaw from Canning Railway Station/Canning Ferrygaht to Godkhali Ferry Ghat on the way you will cross Basanti bridge. After reaching Godkhali you have to take ferry service for Gosaba. By Van Riksaw you will reach to Pakhiralay.
By Road :- The way to reach Sundarban Tiger Reserve you need to avail the Bus from Babughat. Tourists need to avail the bus of CSTC at 06:00hrs to reach Sonakhali within 09:30hrs to reach Sonakhali. From Sonakhali you can reach Gosaba/Pakhiralay. The name suggests that harmonious chirping sound of the birds will add attraction to the panoramic view of Sunderban. From Pakhiralay one can visit Sojnekhali. WBTDC lodges are available near the ferryghat. From there one can visit the majestic world of Tiger Reserve.
Kolkata to Sonakhali buses are available at 6.00, 7.30, 7.45, 9.15, 10.45, 11.00, 11.45, 13.00, 13.30, 15.15, 16.30, 17.00hrs. Buses are also return from Sonakhali to Kolkata at 6.00, 7.00, 7.30, 10.00, 10.30, 12.00, 12.45, 13.30, 14.00, 14.30, 15.15, 15.30, 16.45hrs.
Sundar Chital Tourist Lodge,
Sajnekhali, Sundarban,
Contact : (03219)236560.
WBTDC-Sajnekhali Tourist
Lodge,
P.O - Pakhiralaya, P.S -
Gosaba, Sunderban, West Bengal, 743379.
03218
214960/ 9732509925
Tariff :
2 person
With Meal 1400/-
Dormitory - 500/-
WBTDC - Tourist Cottage (Piyali Island),
9475488008
Kolkata Booking: 94334335181, 033
22488271
Tariff: 800/-
WTDC - Kaikhali Tourist Lodge,
Tariff: 800/- with Meal
Ramkrishna Ashram - Nimpith,
03218 226001
Indian nationals need to carry any kind of photo ID proof/ Passport / PAN Card / Driving License issued by Central / State Govt /Adhar Card , Foreigners need to carry their original passport.
If you want to go Sundarban first you need permission :-
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Wildlife
& Chief Wildlife Warden, Govt of West Bengal.
Third Floor, P - 16, India Exchange Place,
Kolkata - 700001.
Contact:- 033-2358 3208,
033-2334 6900
Field Director, Sundarban Tiger Reserve, Caning,
South 24 Parganas, West Bengal.
Contact:-
03218-256159
For Foreign Visitors : -
Deputy Secretary Forest Department Writers' Building, Kolkata - 700 001
Deputy Director Tourism,
3/2 B.B.D. Bag,
Kolkata - 700 001
Contact :- 033 22488271/73
What are other major animals found ?
Spotted Deer, seven types of kingfisher, black
cormorants, egret, pond heron, Brahmani eagles,
magpie robin, green bee eaters, Wild Boar, Rhesus
monkeys, dolphins, estuarine crocodiles, water
monitor, sea turtles, river terrapin, snakes, water
monitor lizard.
Do we find shark in Sundarban?
Yes,
there are six species of Shark
Where to visit?
Pakhiralaya,
Sudhanyakhali, Jharkhali, Do-Banki, Netidhopani,
Burir Dabri, Boni Cap, Kalash Camp, Bhagabatpur
crocodile breeding center
Why people are crazy to visit Sundarban?
The Sundarbans the largest single block of tidal
halophytic mangrove forest in the world. The
Sundarbans is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This
region is densely covered by mangrove forests, and
is one of the largest reserves for the Bengal tiger.
