Jaldapara National Park is a National Park situated at the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas in Alipurduar district of Northern West Bengal and on the bank of the Torsa River. At an altitude of 61 m and is spread across 216.51 sq km of its vast grassland with a riverine forests was declared a sanctuary in 1941. River Torsa flows through this rain forest sanctuary which has an area of 141 sq.km and altitude of 61 m Jaldapara. It is park which has its great diversity of flora and fauna of the mixed deciduous forest, grasslands and river banks. An extensive belt of tall grass with its mosaic of woods, grassland, perennial streams, Sandy River banks are the boundaries of the Jaldapara forests. The Malangi River which also flows nearby from east to west in its sanctuary provides extensive grassland which is last refuge to a wide variety of mammals, amphibians, reptiles and birds. Some rare species like the hispid hare and the hog-badger are also found in the forests.
How to Reach Jaldapara National Park
It can be reached by Air from Bagdogra 145kms from Jaldapara which is the nearest Civil Airport from where tourists can reach Jaldapara by road route via Siliguri which is of 13 km. By Rail which is the most important railway station in the North East India is N.J.P which is directly connected with all major stations in India. Madarihat is only 7 km from the sanctuary from where all the mail and express trains stop at Birpara/Hasimara which are both 20 km from the sanctuary. National Highway with Siliguri is connected with Jaldapara which is connected and can be reached by car within 3hrs. North Bengal State Transport Corporation buses, Bhutan Government buses, minibuses are available from Siliguri to Alipurduar via Madarihat from Cooch Behar and 50 km west from Alipurduar.
Accommodation for Jaldapara National Park
Jaldapara hotels are located at a close proximity to Jaldapara National Park, the holiday home, the Jaldapara forest bungalow are situated at a distance of around 2.5 km from the main gate of the National Park. The hotels are located just beside the Sanctuary or around the National Park so that nearby activities of the jungles are easily offered from Jaldapara National Park accommodated.
Unknown Facts One must Know while Travelling at Jaldapara National Park
1. Jaldapara National Park booking to visit the sanctuary and the permit as of 2007-08 entry fees were; 25 per head for Indian and Nepali nationals, 50 per light vehicle, 200 per heavy vehicle, 5 per still camera and 250 per video camera. 2. Thrilling elephant Safari is organized at Jaldapara national park timing in the early morning from Hollong which offer the exquisite beauty of the vast grassland of Jaldapara. It is one of the best possible way to explore the sanctuary with the rare sight of one horned rhinos, Asiatic elephants, Gaur, deer etc. Jaldapara National Park entry fee for elephant safari is of 600 per head as from Jan 2014. 3. Elephant safari recently it is introduced from Barodabari Malangi Lodge of WBFDC, tourists who do not get tickets from Hollong can also avail from this option. 4. Jeep safari inside the Sanctuary is another main attraction, and the jeeps can also be hired from Madarihat for day visits. 5. It is the place to see one horned Rhinos, elephants, Gaurs, deer and a good number of birds in the sanctuary. 6. Possible way to spot wild animals is doing the elephant safari which is done from the Hollong Tourists Lodge and Barodabari Malangi Lodge. 7. To explore the wild jeep safari can also be done from Madarihat Jaldapara Tourist Lodge and Kodalbasti point on the way to Chilapata range. 8. Amar Nath Das jeep safari 1510 per jeep for 6 persons. 9. Please do not kindly fires, throw lighted matches, cigarettes, birds etc as this is the most destructive of all forces. Avoid fire. 10. Do not litter with plastics, paper, cellophane etc to keep the forest clean. 11. Do not carry firearms, explosive etc which are prohibited and do keep pets at home. 12. Tourists should be sober, do not consume alcoholic drinks within the sanctuary. 13. Should always follow the specific road and path only while entering inside the forests. 14. Do not tease the wild animals rather watch and observe the nature silently. 15. Avoid the place for picnic spots which are not permitted. 16. Your car should drive slowly; permissible speed is 20 km/h. 17. Persons shall not hunt destroy or remove or collect any forests produce or wildlife and fishing is also prohibited. 18. A small village Totopara, on the banks of River Torsha bordering Bhutan is the only habitation of Toto, where it has primitive tribe in Dooars. 19. A fort at an altitude of 867 in the Sinchula Range which guards the Bhutan into Buxa Duar. The fort was used as a camp for freedom fighter during British rule. 20. Jayanti a beautiful picnic spot on the river bank of Jayanti river, provides an excellent view of the hills of Bhutan.
