Majestic Jaldapara

             Jaldapara is little known outside West Bengal.  It is a dense forest situated in Dooars valley (door or gateway to entire north-east region) in the himalayan foothills on the bank of river, Torsa. It is a dense forest extending on a vast area of approx. 216 sq km . Declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1941 for the protection of the one-horned rhino; it is home to a wide varieties of flora & fauna.  Jaldapara is breathtakingly beautiful with lush green forest, swirling rivers & rivulets and snow-peaked Himalayas in the background. 

 Location:

  

  It is situated in Alipurduar subdivision of Jalpaiguri district at the northern part of West Bengal. 

  

Attractions :

                                                     

Main attraction of Jaldapara is Great Indian 

one-horned rhino. In addition to rhinos, 

wildlife here consists of Royal Bengal Tigers, wild elephants, deers, swamp deers, hog deers, wild pigs, bisons, some rare species like the hispid hare and the hog-badge. An early morning elephant safari, organized by the Forest Dept. is the best way to explore the sanctuary with the rare sight of Indian rhinos and Asiatic elephants. One may also avail the jeep safari inside the sanctuary.

 Bird watching is another important attraction of Jaldapara as this is home to more than 240 species of birds found in varieties of habitat like grassland, water bodies, woodland. Peacocks displaying its full array
of feathers are also seen during the

breeding season.

Places of interest near Jaldapara:

Totopara:  Toto, a primitive tribe in Dooars, live in a small village named Totopara which is approximately 30 km from Jaldapara. They became almost extinct in 1950s. Later several government measures helped the population grow from 321 in 1951 to 1184 in 2001, all living at Totopara. Their aboriginal lifestyle is interesting.

Chilapata: Ruins of a thousand years' old fort of Nal King deep inside the Chilapata Forests is also worth visiting particularly for those interested in history. This is located on way to Cooch Behar 20 km from Alipurduar. The journey through the deep and dark Chilapata Forest is a pleasant and exciting experience. 

Gorumara National Park: Another national park, a continuation of Jaldapara forest is located 80 km away on the bank of river, Murti

Phuntsoling - Bhutan: It is gateway of Bhutan 32km north of Jaldapara. Apart from Bhutan Gate, one monastary & scenic beauty nothing much to see, though you may get a glimpse of Bhutanese lifestyle.

Buxa Tiger Reserve: 56km from Jaldapara, it is also rich in Himalayan flora & fauna.

How to reach: 

 By air:  Bagdogra is the only airport in North Bengal. From Bagdogra you can hire a cab directly to jaldapara (160 km) or you can go to Siliguri which is the main city (13 km from the airport). From Siliguri bus or taxi services are available.

By train: Broad Gauge trains stop at New Jalpaiguri (Siliguri), New Alipurduar and New Coochbehar stations. Bus/taxi services are available from these stations.

Jaldapara is connected with Siliguri by National Highway and can be reached by car. This journey may take 3-4 hrs.

Accommodation:

There are few  private hotels adjacent to sanctuary. But forest department & West Bengal Tourism department offer best accommodation inside the sanctuary. Details are as follows:

 1.  Jaldapara (Hollong) forest bungalow:  

This is the best accommodation deep inside the jungle. Its wooden interior & delicious food provides warm hospitality. Situated by the side of a canal & salt pit this forest bungalow offers a great view of the animals who come near it for water & salt. But there are only 8 rooms & most of the time occupied by VIPs/VVIPs. You need to confirm booking well in advance. Details of the forest bungalow is as follows:

You can book room online at the west bengal tourism website - http://app.westbengaltourism.gov.in/WBTBooking/wbtdc.html.

You can also visit their BBD bag office in Kolkata for booking. The address and phone numbers are in the 'contact us' section of the same website.

But two top floor rooms which have the best view (and where former CM of WB, Mr. jyoti Basu used to stay) can be booked from Siliguri only. That address and phone numbers are also available on the website.

Siliguri : Govt. of West Bengal, M-4 Building, Pradhan Nagar, Hill Cart Road, Siliguri- 734401, 

              Ph:0353-2511979,2511974,2432561, Fax: 2511979, 2432561

               E-mail: slg_maitl@sancharnet.in

Kolkata : Govt. of West Bengal, 3/2, B.B.D.Bag (East), Calcutta - 700001

               Ph: 033-2485917/2488271, 033-248 8237, 248 5168

 

  

2.  Jaldapara Tourist Lodge: P.O. Madarihat, Dt.: Jalpaiguri, Ph: 03563-262230

3.  Hollong Tourist Lodge: P.O. Madarihat, Dt.: Jalpaiguri, Ph: 03563-262228

 All these can be booked from abovementioned contacts.

Eat & Drink

Bar & restaurants are attached with good facilities & food.

Tariff Plans

Jaldapara (Hollong) forest bungalow:

●     Room (Double bed) per day      Rs.1000.00
●     Extra cot per day      Rs. 300.00
●     A.C. charges per day      Rs. 150.00
●     Food per head (afternoon, tea,  dinner, bed tea and breakfast)      Rs. 175.00
●     Lunch per head      Rs.75.00
●     Driver’s bed rent per day      Rs.50.00
●     Driver’s food(excluding lunch) per day      Rs.75.00
●     Driver’s lunch per day      Rs.40.00
●     Charge for elephant ride per head (Riding time 5 A.M. to 8 A.M.) Rs.120.00

Entry fee to Jaldapara Sanctuary per head:   
i)     Indian      Rs. 25.00
ii)    Foreigner       Rs.100.00

Entry fee for 
i)     Light vehicle      Rs.    50.00
ii)    Heavy vehicle      Rs.  200.00
iii)   Scooter/Moter cycle      Rs.    20.00
Entry fee for students group –      Rs.    5.00
(authorised by the head of the institution) per head

Video Camera:     
i) Indian       Rs.200.00
ii) Foreigner      Rs.500.00

Jaldapara Tourist Lodge:
  
Number of rooms :
      22 double bedded rooms @ Rs. 1000 including all meals;
      13 bedded dormitory @ Rs. 300 per bed including all meals; and
      6 double bedded Hut Rs. 650 per cottage with food  

Best season:              October to May.
                                  Off Season: 15th June to 15th Sept. (Sanctuary Closed)

Clothing:                   Summer- Cottons, Winter- Woolens.

Languages spoken:   Bengali, Hindi, Nepali & English

Entry-point                at Madarihat