DARJEELING WILDLIFE

Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary
In North Bengal, the great expanse of Terrai grasslands is held by Jaldapara Sanctuary intersected with raverine forests, dry mixed forests and wet-forests. Rhino and Asiatic elephant's favourite homes are the tall riparian grasslands lined with bamboo clumps. Various other kinds of species like the python, monitor lizard, cobra, kraits and frogs are available for visitors to see. On approach, Hog Deer, a typical animal of short grasslands quite often shoots out of cover in small groups. The sambar conceals itself in a good shrubby undergrowth. The cheetal is confined to the edge - areas between treelands and grasslands. Gaurs - Indian bison - can be found roaming over grasslands and forest. A tiger or leopard may be found on the sandy banks of a stream. Ride on elephants gives an exhilirating experience at Jaldapara.

The Jaldapara wildlife sanctuary is situated in the Alipur Duar subdivision of Jalpaiguri District, in north Bengal. The Jaldapara wildlife sanctuary covers an area of 216 sq. kms with forest, swamps and grass lands. The river Torsha runs through this area. It is known for its dense forest and grasslands. West Bengal’s most varied flora and fauna find its home in Jaldapara wildlife sanctuary.
The Jaldapara wildlife sanctuary is home to the endangered Great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros and the Gaurs. Elephants, deer of various types, bears and the Indian Bison, the Crested Eagle and the Fishing Eagle can also be seen here. The climate of this place is very extreme.

It goes to 2 degrees in the winter’s time and rises to a good of 41 degrees. The birds to be found here are the Crested Eagle, Pallas's Fishing Eagle and shikra, besides Jungle fowl, peafowl, partridges, Bengal Florican and lesser Pied Hornbill. Python, monitor lizards, krates, cobras, geckos and about 8 species of fresh water turtles have also found Jaldapara wildlife sanctuary here.

Singhalila National Park
Singhalila National Park located at a very high altitude of more than 7000ft from sea level (between 2400m to 3650m ) is the highest National Park in West Bengal. It is situated in the extreme north western boundary of Darjeeling District and extends on an area of 78.60sq.km.

The vegetation of these virgin forests mainly alpine, changes with the range in altitude. The main tree species found are the Rhododendron, Magnolia, Oak, Hemlock, Silver Fir, Juniper, Mailing Bamboo, Buk, Kawla, Bhujpatra etc. Other flora include primulas, aconitums, gentians, arisaemas and orchids adorning the forest clearings. The fauna found in the park are leopard, serow, pangolin, elephant, chinkara takin, red panda, barking deer etc. The park has a variety of birds such as pigeons, doves, sibia, minivet, magpie, cuckoo, hornbills, Kaleej pheasants and a large number of migratory birds.

Treks: The park is famous for its treks with spectacular views of Himalayan peaks through a mist of pristine forests and mountain flowers. Maneybhanjang ( 2134m) at a distance of one and a half hours by road from Darjeeling is the starting point to one of the popular trekking routes in the eastern Himalayas, via Tumling (2900m) or Tonglu (3050m) - Gairibans(1900m) - Sandakphu ( 3636m)(35Km) - Phalut (3605m) - Rimbik (2286m) and back to Manebhanjyang. The park area is enclosed within this trek route beyond Tonglu or Tumling. The trekkers can halt at Meghma/ Tonglu, Gairibans, Sandakphu and Phalut for the nights.

Maneybhanjyang to Mekhma (2600m) takes 4 hours, then to Tonglu or Tumling and from there to Gairibans through dense forests and wild flowers. This trek is a paradise for wild flower lovers particularly in March-April when rhododentrons bloom in white, scarlet, pink and yellow and large white and pink flowers of the magnolias, orchids along with beautiful birds adorn the way. But be wary of the leeches which infest the wet ravines. From Gairibans it is a steep four hour climb to Sandakphu. Halfway is the settlement of Kala- Pokhri at 2750m. The arduous trek through treacherous routes is worth the breathtaking view of the majestic Kanchenjunga the third highest peak in the world, from Sandakphu. Sandakphu is known as the mountain of poisonous plants cause of the cobra lillies seen here. The one day trek from Sandakphu- Phalut about 23km is the best of all the treks. Phalut lies on the borders of West Bengal, Sikkim and the eastern border of Nepal. The best for this trek along the Singalila ridge which passes through desolate hills covered with patches of forest is October and November. At Phalut, one can have real close look at the Kanchenjunga and experience the spectacle of circular rainbows. From Phalut the way down to Sirikhola on the banks of river Sirikhola, one can see meadows clustered with blue iris, orchids and a further 6km leads to Rimbik, a small village which connects Maneybhanjang and Darjeeling (51km)by road. From Sandakphu one can skip the trek to Phalut and come straight down to Sirikhola through a steep descend via Gurdum (2300m).