Jaldapara Sanctuary in North Bengal is home to a variety of flora, fauna and avifauna. While planning short tours from Kolkata, one cannot afford to miss out on the Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary. Tigers, buffaloes, rhinoceroses, cheetals, monkeys, crocodiles are the main attraction of the forest. Tourists are allowed to visit the place under the guidance of the forest authorities. The forest conducts daily jungle tours. Tourists can try out Jeep Safaris and Elephant rides. Exploring the forest on foot is not allowed or at least that requires special permission from the forest authorities. Tourists must carry with them binoculars and cameras to get a clear view of the animals and capture the sight of the same.
Tourists Accommodations in Jaldapara Sanctuary
There are two important tourists’ lodges in the forest, the Holong tourist lodge and the Madarihat tourist bungalow. The advantage of staying in the Holong tourist lodge is that the residents get to stay deep within the forest. The Madarihat Bungalow is no less attractive. A small zoo is loacted close to the Madarihat Bungalow.
How To Reach Jaldapara From Calcutta and Other Places
|
If you are traveling from Kolkata, it is convenient to take a train to New Jalpaiguri Station from Howrah Station. It takes about six to seven hours to travel to Jalpaiguri. From Jalpaiguri, tourists can either hire cars or take a bus to the Jaldapara Sanctuary. Actually the New Jalpaiguri Station is accessible from all the major railway stations in India. The Bagdogra Airport is the nearest airport from Jaldapara Forest. This airport too is a few hours drive away from the Jaladapara forest. Cars and buses are amply available to tourists. Darjeeling and Siliguri too are easily accessible from Jaldapara by road.
When to Go to Jaldapara Sanctuary
Winter is the best season to visit Jaldapara, though tourists are seen visiting this forest all round the year except in the Monsoons. Due to heavy rainfall, the forest authorities close down the forest for tourists from June 15th to September15th. The temperature remains moderate throughout the year with the maximum in the month of May.
From the Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary a number of other forests and places of ethnic and historical importance are located close by. These include the Gorumara National park, the Buxa Tiger Reserve, Totpara and Chiltapara.
|
