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India Profile takes you on a wildlife tour to the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Himalayan foothills and the Terai region.
The Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary is home to elephants, Indian bison or gaur, tigers, leopards, sambar, and cheetal. The Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary constitutes the forests of the lower catchment area of River Mahananda, and covers an area of 159.86 sq km.
The main attraction of the sanctuary includes the migratory water birds, which are common in winter. The other animals found are the rare mountain goat (Serow), some tigers and herds of Gaur, leopards, wild pig, varieties of deer and monkeys, jungle cats, porcupines, civets, monitor lizards and snakes. The Sanctuary offers some beautiful trekking routes from Sukna, Golaghat, Deorali and the Latpancher-Mana track; known for trekking and bird watching.
Tucked away in the northeastern corner of West Bengal, Dooars is a region of endless variety and stunning beauty. Mostly covering the districts of Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar, this ethereal land of lush green forests, sparkling rivers and acres of tea gardens, has managed to remain sequestered from popular curiosity.
Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary is a mere 7 km from Siliguri town; this was once primeval forestland and home to a large number of animals. Set back from the main road is the Sukna check gate that opens onto the Sanctuary and next to the gate is the well appointed forest bungalow perched on a hillock, its rear windows opening onto the forest. Although the original forestland has shrunk considerably, the Mahanada Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 127.22 sq. km and offers an excellent glimpse of lovely Dooars.
The entrance to the sanctuary is from a dense Sal forest, while walking through you can watch the langurs scattered higher up on the treetops and the peacock preening behind a bush. The river Mahananda cuts through the forest. On the opposite bank the forest extends on to the hills and can be visited only with special permission. You can see a couple of robust Indian bison (gaur) feeding off a salt lick beside a roadside glade.
On this wildlife tour you can enjoy an adventurous trek along the 10 km nature trail leading from the weir at Golaghat to an uphill destination called Latpanchar. Ranging between 200 meters and 1500 meters, the route lies through palm clad steep slopes alternating with bamboo clumps and Sal trees. Thick creepers entwine the stout branches often giving the mistaken appearance of a python. Birds are aplenty and the discerning eye can locate a few rare orchids. The trail terminates in another well-furnished bungalow. But one has to carry provisions necessary for the entire duration of the stay.
The nearby tourist attractions while you visit the Mahannda Wildlife Sanctuary include the Garumara national Park, Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, Jhalong on Jaldhaka River or Samsing.
Take a break from your tiring journey and visit the Chalsa, a mosaic of tea gardens and misty mountains. Chalsa is a few kilometers from Malbazar on the way to Dooars from Siliguri, at a distance of about 64 kms. The national highway connecting the Northeast with West Bengal passes through Chalsa. There are private accommodations available near Chalsa from where you can visit the Gorumara National Park. You can also visit other tourist destinations nearby including Samsing, Bindu, Murti etc. Arguably the best hotel in the region, the Sinclair's retreat is located on a hillock close to Chalsa. Chalsa is also famous for the many tea gardens surrounding it. Apart from the Chalsa Tea garden, you can also take a stroll inside the beautiful tea garden.
On your way to the Garumara National Park you can see the beautiful tea gardens on one side and the forest on the other, making it a pleasant route to drive through. Gorumara National Park is located in the Dooars region of Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal. This small forest area famous for its natural population of the Great Indian one horned Rhinoceros was declared a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1949.Rhino Point is the main attraction here.
The other fauna of the park include Indian Elephant, Indian Bison, leopard, different species of deer, turtles, pythons, monkeys etc. and more than 200 species of birds. The park is a birdwatcher's paradise with beautiful birds like Indian pied hornbill, Woodpeckers, Sunbird, fly catcher, Minivet, Drongo, Pheasants and many more migratory birds especially in winter.
Lataguri a small town adjacent to the park is the entry point. There are watchtowers for viewing the animals inside the park. They are Jatraprasad Watch tower (named in memory of a legendary elephant of that name), Rhino observation point in front of the Gorumara forest bungalow, Old Khunia Watch Tower near the Murti forest bungalow and Suksukia Bird watching Point. Rhino observation point is the best place to observe wild animals like rhino, elephant, bison and deer as they regularly come to the salt reservoir just below the tower. The Gorumara region is spread in 80 sq.kms of area and includes the upper Tondu reserve and Chapramari wildlife sanctuary. From Gorumara it is only two hours ride to Jaldapara wild life sanctuary, which is also located in the Dooars.
The reserve at Jaldapara was established in 1943 for the protection of the Indian one-horned rhino. This sanctuary covers 115 sq. km of mixed deciduous forest, grassland and riverbanks. Cut by the river Torsa, the sanctuary encompasses luxuriant vegetation and a rich variety of wildlife.
Riding elephants is the only way to move through the forest. With the increase in tourist facilities in and around the sanctuary, the number of visitors is also gradually increasing. The sanctuary remains closed between mid-June and mid-September while there is considerable rush during the winter vacation.
Easily accessible from Siliguri, a distance of 121 kms and about four hours drive, the sanctuary can also be combined with a trip to Darjeeling/Kalimpong/Gangtok or to Bhutan. The overnight trip conducted by the tourist office at Siliguri is also becoming popular. Visitors have the option of staying at the Jaldapara Tourist Lodge at the periphery of the sanctuary or at the luxuriously built Hollong Forest Bungalow right inside. Besides the facility of seeing animals from elephant-back, the forest bungalow also has spotlights to pick up any animal that might be roaming in the vicinity at night.
Off the beaten track, the gentle sensuality of the tea gardens and the sudden drama of seeing wildlife close at hand make the Dooars a magical place, designed by Mother Nature to soothe the ruffled soul.
Siliguri is the all-important gateway to hills of Sikkim, Darjeeling and Bhutan as well as to the northeastern states of the country.
Fact File:
Bagdogra airport, 14 km from Siliguri, is the nearest airlink and is on the regular air route of Indian Airlines and private operators. By road it is connected to Calcutta (606 km), Guwahati (423 km) and Patna (466 km) by overnight bus service. By rail, Siliguri is connected directly and through New Jalpaiguri railway station to Calcutta, Guwahati, Varanasi, New Delhi, etc. South India bound trains to and from Guwahati pass through Siliguri.
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