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Location |
Northern West Bengal, India |
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Best time |
October to March |
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Area |
216.51 km2 |
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Major Animals/Birds |
Royal Bengal Tigers, Elephants, Deer, Sambhar, Jungle cat, Leopard cat, Fishing cat, Civet, Barking deer, Pangolin, Common Otter, Giant Squirrel, Porcupine, spotted deer, hog deer, Gaur, Wild pigs and Bison. Hispid hare and Hog-badger are some rare species found here |
Jaldapara National Park is located in West Bengal. Area of Jaldapara National Park is 216.51 km2, best time to visit Jaldapara National Park is between October to March.
The park’s lush greenery provides an ideal habitat for a diverse range of flora and species. It is a birder’s paradise and is well recognised for its large population of Asiatic One-Horned Rhinos. The number of one-horned rhinos is estimated to be approximately 160 individuals and is steadily increasing.
There are elephant and jeep safaris available. Elephant safaris are organised early in the morning across the gorgeous grasslands and are the greatest and most recommended method to view the national park’s fauna.
Jeep safaris are available in the mornings and nights. Due to an increase in tourist visitation, the number of watch towers where jeep safaris take place has increased in recent years. The sole requirement for jeep safaris is that passengers go in forest department-approved jeeps, with each jeep accompanied by a guide.
Jaldapara National Park’s History Prior to the 1800s, the region was a tribal village of the Toto and Mech (Bodo) tribes. The area was known as ‘Totapara’ during the time. Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary was founded in 1941 to safeguard a wide range of flora and animals, notably the one-horned Indian rhinoceros, which was on the verge of extinction.
In 2014, the Wildlife Sanctuary was designated as a National Park.
Major Attractions in & Around the Park
The Jaldapara National Park is a wildlife refuge. The national park, which is located at the foothills of the eastern Himalayas and on the banks of the Torsa River, is a famous tourist attraction in the state.
Reptiles Found in Jaldapara National Park are
Mammals: The national park forest is mostly savannah with long elephant grasses, with the Asiatic one-horned rhinoceros as the primary attraction. In addition to rhinos, the sanctuary is home to Royal Bengal Tigers, Elephants, Deer, Sambhar, Jungle cat, Leopard cat, Fishing cat, Civet, Barking deer, Pangolin, Common Otter, Giant Squirrel, Porcupine, spotted deer, hog deer, Gaur, Wild pigs, and Bison. Some of the uncommon species found here are the Hispid hare and the Hog-badger.
Jaldapara is a birdwatcher’s delight. It is one among the few spots in India where you may see the Bengal Florican. Because of the diverse topography, a mosaic of plants, and abundant insect life, the region is especially rich in avifauna. More than 240 bird species may be found in a range of environments, including grassland, aquatic bodies, and woodland.Many woodland birds, such as Green Pigeons, Hornbills, Barbets, Parakeets, Woodpeckers, Cuckoos, Orioles, Drongos, Babblers, Thrushes etc.Night hunters here are Owls and Nightjars while the Crested Serpent Eagle is common raptorial bird. Pallas’s Fishing Eagle, Pied Harrier, Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrow Hawk etc.
