Place: Alipurduar Court,
Jalpaiguri District,
West Bengal
Nearest Town: Alipurduar Court
Best time to visit: October to April
Main attraction: Royal
Bengal Tiger
The
Buxa Tiger Reserve with an area of 759 sq.kms was established in the year of
1982-83 at the north eastern corner of West Bengal bordering Bhutan and Assam.
The core area of 315sq.kms around the Buxa Duar Fort was declared a National
Park in January 1992.
This park is located in eastern
Dooars (rolling humid plains) at 2600 ft above sea level. The Dooars comprises of deciduous forests which are
densely wooded and grasslands and is home to some
of West Bengal's most varied flora and fauna.
This tropical rain forests having an annual rainfall exceeding 5000mm has 150
species of plants and a variety of creepers, orchids, grasses, bamboo and cane.
Trees like Teak, sal, simul, sishu are found in great numbers.
The
fauna of the park comprises 67 species of mammals, including 23 endangered ones
and 36 species of reptiles. Besides the Royal Bengal tiger the second largest in
number in West Bengal after Sunderbans, elephants, bears,
civets, giant squirrel, Gaur, Chital, clouded leopard, wild Buffaloes, antelope
and snakes including the regal Python are found here. About 230 species of birds and innumerable butterflies add colour to the forest. The rivers of Raidak and
Jayanti which flow through the forest and the Narathali lake are home to
migratory birds as well as endemic ones which abound the place. The Hornbills including greater Pied Hornbill,
Ibis
Bill, Trans Himalayan Migratory Goosanders, Red-stars, Wag-tails, the rare black
necked crane, migratory common teal, black stork, Large Whistling Teal, Minivets,
White
Eyed Poachared are some of the bird species sighted here.
The headquarters Alipurduar court is
a few km away from the tiger reserve. The two main entry points are Buxa (24km) and
Jayanti (30 Km). Buxa (2600ft) is a two hour trek through picturesque
surroundings from Santlabari, the starting point. The Buxa Duar fort here was used as a prison by the
British, because of its remoteness. Many
freedom fighters were imprisoned here. After independence, it served as a
refugee camp for Tibetans and Bangladeshis. There is a 4km further trek to
Rovers Point (the land of unknown birds at 4500ft) or a 14km trek to Roopam
Valley in Bhutan from Bhutan. From Buxa, one can also take the 13km trek to
Jayanti through the beautiful jungle preferably with a guide. There is a
stalactite cave, popularly known as the Mahakal cave at Jayanti. Another entry
point Rajabhatkhawa (17km from Alipurduar) has an orchidarium, animal rescue
centre and a nature interpretation centre.
Where to stay
There are forest rest houses of WBFDC at Rajabhatkhawa, Nimati, Barobisha, Raidak, Raimatang,
Bhutanghat, Buxaduar and Jayanti at the banks of the river Jayanthi nestled
between mountains and thick forests. For
reservation one can contact Field Director, Buxa Tiger Reserve. Phone: 03564-55129,
Fax: 03564- 55577 / 79 for Rajabhatkhawa, Raimatang and
Phone: 03564- 56005 for Buxa, Bhutanghat forest rest houses.
How to reach there:
Rail: Nearest rail Junction is New Jalpaiguri in North Bengal and the
nearest station is New Alipurduar station which has direct connections to Kolkata.
Kanchenjunga, Kamrup and Saraighat Express's etc are some of the trains.
Road: The headquarters of the park, Alipurduar is located 175 kms from
Siliguri, West Bengal. NH 31
is the main highway. There are two buses to the entry point Jayanti ( 30km) via Buxa
from Alipurduar. One has to get down at Santlabari for the trek to Buxa. One can
also hire cars from Alipurduar to reach these entry points. Rajabhatkhawa is
12km from Jayanthi.
Contact:
-
Field Director
Buxa Tiger Reserve (West)
Alipurduar,
District Jalpaiguri,
West Bengal- 736122
Phone: 03564-551129
Fax: 03564- 55577 / 79
E-mail : Contact
Us
-
Deputy Field Director
Buxa Tiger Reserve (East)
P.O Alipurduar,
District Jalpaiguri,
West Bengal- 736122
Phone: 03564- 56005, 66005
-
For Conducted Tours:
WBTDC,
Hill Cart Road,
Siliguri.
