About Dooars
Dooars is a vast region of green forests with wildlife, unending tea gardens, isolated with busy or sleepy settlements forms a fascinating tourist destination. Dooars, has become an important tourist place in the northern part of West Bengal and Eastern Himalayas of India. Dooars or Duars which means doors in Bengali, Assamese, Nepali and Bhutanese language.
Dooars is Situating in the foothills of Himalaya consisting of an area of 8,800 square kilometer. The altitude of Dooars area ranges from 90 to 1,750 m. We can view many fascinating rivers like Tista, Torsa, Jaldhaka, Kaljani and other hilly rivers which have been flowed from the mountains of Bhutan through this 4750 sq.km area. There are fabulous wildlife sanctuaries with scenic beauty, log huts and Toto Para. The Western Dooars is known as the Bengal Dooars and the Eastern Dooars as the Assam Dooars.
The beauty of Dooars offers us to taste the nature through various ways like adventure sports, trekking, through National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries. A number of rare endangered species of animals like tiger, rhinoceros and elephant make their habitat in the forests of the Dooars. Other animals include different types of deer, bison, birds and reptiles. This place is also known as the heaven of birds we can see many different kinds of Orchids over here. The average rainfall of the area is about 3,500 mm. Monsoon generally starts from the middle of May and continues till the end of September. Winters are cold with foggy mornings and nights. Summer is mild and constitutes a very short period of the year.
Jaldapara
Jaldapara Located at the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas and on the bank of River Torsa, is the Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary which is in the Alipurdur Sub-Division of the Jalpaiguri District in West Bengal of India. Positioned at Coordinates 26.6165, 89.3676, Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary is just 20 kilometres from the Border of Bhutan and India and is also 750 kilometres from the State Capital - Kolkata.
Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary has an average elevation of 200 feet and stretches across 141 square kilometres of 'Terai' - marshy grasslands of the Terai-Duar Savanna and grasslands which comprise the tallest grasslands in the world. The Sanctuary is a great mix of deciduous forests, River, river banks, perennial streams, tall grasslands, narrow wet sandy clearances which are all home to a wide variety of endangered mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds and rare flowers. Jaldapara Sanctuary is drained by Rivers Torsa, Malangi, Hollong, Chirakhawa, Kalijhora, Sissamara, Bhaluka and Buri with River Torsa running right through the Sanctuary.
Nearby to the Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary are the Chilapata Forests; the Buxa Tiger Reserve and the Gorumara National Park. In Bengali, 'Jal' means water and 'Para' means locality. Jaldapara - meaning locality of water seems to have derived its name from the abundance of water in the Jaldapara area which is supplied by 8 rivers of which River Torsho flows right through the Sanctuary. .
Chilapata Forest
Chilapata Forest is the sight of the wild attracts you, if their roaring calls give you goose bumps and if those adventurous roads of jungles leading deep into the wilderness invigorates your senses, then plan a trip to West Bengal, the heart of some of India's dense wildlife reserves. Like other sanctuaries, Chilapata Forest near Jaldapara National Park in Dooars, West Bengal has lured animal lovers from round the world. Rich in wildlife and moulded by thick tall and short trees and bushes, the forest gives a chance to spot many new species. Chilapata Forest has gained popularity in recent times. It is a great place to spot elephants in their natural habitat and lucky ones can spot rhinoceros too.
Chilapata is a dense forest on the way to Cooch Behar and is located around 20 km from the Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary. While visiting this forest, tourists can find the ruins of thousand year old fort built by Nal King. This fort is situated deep inside the forest and has historical and archaeological importance. The fort was built in the 5th century, during the Gupta Empire and the ruins depict the heritage of the Golden Age of India. This dip and dark Chilapata forest is home to elephants and leopards. At any given time, less than three vehicles are allowed in this forest for security concerns.
Totapara Village
Totapara Village is small village situated on the bank of River Torsa in the district of Jalpaiguri; Totapara Village houses an old tribe of Dooars known as the Toto tribe. At just 22 Kms, lies the Madarihat, the doorway to the Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary. The village houses of the Toto tribe, a primitive tribe in Dooars. The village is bordered by Bhutan to the North, Torsa River to the East and Titi River and Titi Reserve on the South-West, separated by Hauri River.
Lataguri
The state of West Bengal comes under the influence of a number of rivers because of its location near the delta that makes way for the Bay of Bengal. The state is home to a number of forests – dense and less dense, a number of wild life sanctuaries and national parks. It shares life with amazing varieties of flora and fauna that makes for the rich natural resources and even greater tourist attractions for the country and even for the people from different parts of the world. Lataguri located in the district of Jalpaiguri of the state is a small village on the outskirts of the famous Gorumara National Park on National Highway 31. This small village of Lataguri forms the gateway to the famous Gorumara National Park and hence is known as the gateway to the experience of wildlife and the abundance of nature.
Lataguri offers the wider scope for the thrill and adventure which is anticipated by the individuals making a tour to this part of the Indian sub-continent. Being a small village it offers great tourism sites that capture the attention of a large number of people from all across the world. It is one of the most important tourist attractions of this area. When in Lataguri, the tourists can enjoy the wild drive in the wilderness, go trekking, visit the caves in the forests, watch a number of unknown birds, or enjoy the serenity of the forest. Besides, tourists can delve into the adventure drive with visits to the Gorumara National Park, Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, Buxa Tiger Reserve, Jayanti Mahakal, Rovers Point, and other places which are yet to be visited and discovered by some of the adventurist souls.
Gorumara National Park
Gorumara National Park is small hamlet situated 34 kilometres (21 miles) east of the town of Kalimpong via Algarh in Darjeeling district of the state of West Bengal. Lava is situated at an altitude of 7016 feet (2138 m). It is one of the few places in West Bengal to receive snow in winter. The Neora
Valley National Park is close by and is a wildlife reserve. The views of Jelep – La and Rechi – La passes are very attractive from this positive. Lava is a quiet and romantic place as it is situated in the dense forest of Pine and Juniper. There is huge number of Orchids as well. The small town can be reached either through Doars via Gorubathan. This is known as Damdin road as the road takes a turn from National Highway 31 at Damdim. The outer road is through Kalimpong town and Algara. Both Roads meet at Lava. The view of the silvery peaks of Greater Himalayan snow ranges or the smiling children of local ethnic villages, soaked in simplicity and hospitality, will give you a sense of total fulfilment.
Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary
Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of about 96 sq km and offers a beautiful view of Kanchenjunga and the other Himalayan peaks. Located in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, this sanctuary is situated in the district of Jalpaiguri and is around 20 km from Gorumara National Park. Visitors can spot Indian bison, which is also known as Gaur, in the sanctuary. It also houses royal Bengal tiger along with deer, reptiles, Himalayan langur and other animals. Birds like peafowl, florican, flinch, bee-eater, green pigeon, hornbill and black partridges can also be spotted in the sanctuary.
Buxa Tiger Reserve
Buxa Tiger Reserve lies in the eastern Dooars region near the Alipurduar sub-divisional town of Jalpaiguri. This park was established between 1982 and 1983. In January 1992, it was declared a National Park. The reserve has around eight types of forests, 230 bird species, 67 mammals and around 36 species of reptiles. Named after the Buxa Fort, this tiger reserve is situated on the Sinchula Range at an elevation of around 867 metres. Covering an area of about 759 sq km, this reserve houses landscape and has various rivers and their tributaries. Leopard, elephant, clouded leopard, barking deer, Himalayan black bear, python, gore and pangolin are the major animals that can be spotted in the reserve. Apart from these, this reserve is home to several birds like red-stars, hornbills, black-necked crane, etc.
Buxa Fort
Buxa Fort is located on the Buxa Hill at an elevation of around 2,600 feet and is 30 km from Alipurduar. The fort lies 7 km from the Buxa Road and was regarded as a refuge for the refugees during the unrest in Tibet. It is believed that this fort served as the point of contention between the Cooch Kings and the King of Bhutan. According to history, in the 18th century, this fort was captured by the British. The British converted it into a stone building from a bamboo wood structure. During the British rule, the fort was used as a prison to imprison various revolutionaries. This place is also considered as the starting point for various trekking routes including the Rupam Valley which is located 12 km from the Rovers Point.
Jayanti Mahakal
Jayanti Mahakal is located along the shores of the Jayanti River and shares its natural border with the hills of Bhutan. It is another popular destination for covering a trek of around 13 km from Buxa duar. Besides, travellers can also visit the nearby narrow and dark cave, known as the Mahakal Cave. The cave of Stalactites and Stalagmites forming Siva-Linga. Too many tourists and Pilgrims have destroyed the 90% of the Stalactites and Stalagmites. Cat fishes sacrificed here in a water source became discoloured by the mineral content of water.
Lava
Lava is small hamlet situated 34 kilometres (21 miles) east of the town of Kalimpong via Algarh in Darjeeling district of the state of West Bengal. Lava is situated at an altitude of 7016 feet (2138 m). It is one of the few places in West Bengal to receive snow in winter. The Neora Valley National Park is close by and is a wildlife reserve. The views of Jelep – La and Rechi – La passes are very attractive from this positive. Lava is a quiet and romantic place as it is situated in the dense forest of Pine and Juniper. There is huge number of Orchids as well. The small town can be reached either through Doars via Gorubathan. This is known as Damdin road as the road takes a turn from National Highway 31 at Damdim. The outer road is through Kalimpong town and Algara. Both Roads meet at Lava. The view of the silvery peaks of Greater Himalayan snow ranges or the smiling children of local ethnic villages, soaked in simplicity and hospitality, will give you a sense of total fulfilment. Visit the Lava Monastery and Neora valley Interpretation center, which offers the glimpse of the nature's wealth. Lava is the gateway of Neora Valley National Park, a virgin, unexplored terrain in the Himalayas.
Loleygaon
Loleygaon is a small village Lolegaon (in local dialect, means a happy village) is a small tiny village, located in the Kalimpong Sub Division of Darjeeling District and one of the most beautiful place in the Darjeeling village tourism. One can cover this place on foot in barely couple of minutes!!! Tourist will be blessed by a giant statue of Lord Buddha in the Eco Tourism Park when you enter Lolegaon.
In Lolegaon, you can indulge in many interesting activities, like simple jungle walks, since jungles have lot hidden treasures in them. The sunrise point Jhanidara is about 4 km from Lolegaon and you'll be greeted with the majestic view of sunrise of Mt Kanchenjunga. The most beautiful attraction of Lolegaon is the canopy walk -- it is a dense forest with a walking trail and part of the trees have been joined together to form a 75 meter long canopy. It is a lovely walk through the forests - the chirping birds, buzzing insects and fleeting butterflies, the shades of dark and light as the sun barely made its way thru the dense forests and above all the smell of the jungle -- all will add an aroma to your entire trip and the revelations are slow and full of surprises, the idea behind a walk maybe to simply explore a trail, or maybe to get a feel of the jungle. Or to climb on top of the cliff you have been eyeing for long days. Guest can follow the birds while the kids collect dry leaves for their scrap books.
Gajoldoba
Gajoldoba is a reservoir formed by the first Teesta Barrage, which was built for irrigational purposes. It is surrounded by the Baikunthapur forests, and is an hour's drive from Jalpaiguri. The reservoir is used by many water birds from Ladakh and Central Asia – Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Bar-headed Goose, Greylag Goose, Lesser Whistling Duck, Ruddy Shelduck, Common Shelduck, Cotton Teal, Tufted Duck, Common Teal, Eurasian Wigeon, Spot-billed Duck, Mallard, Great Cormorant, Indian Cormorant, Little Cormorant, Indian Pond Heron, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Northern Lapwing, River Lapwing, Grey-headed Lapwing, Little Ringed Plover, etc.