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Home > Holiday Ideas > Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary – The Rhino Land

Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary – The Rhino Land

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With its massive build, huge head, rivetted (and mythically bullet-proof) amour-plate like skin, the Indian Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) appears like a battle tank. Awe of their sheer size and the thrill of seeing their legendary ill-temper (they often do charge, but rather than their horns (a mass of hair), use their razor sharp tusks to do damage), inspires many a nature lover to see them first hand.

Home to one of the most majestic animals in the wild – one-horned Indian Rhino, Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary is an exciting wildlife holiday destination. The sanctuary situated in Jalpaiguri District of West Bengal is about 124 km from Siliguri. Established in 1941 for the protection of wild animals in particular for rhinos, Jaldapara has the largest concentration of one-horned rhino in India after Kaziranga.

Safari in the Park

Elephant safari is the best way to explore the sanctuary. The safari begins early in the morning and should be booked early; its availability in high season can not be guaranteed. Timings for elephant safari are 6-8 am (6:30 inn winters).

Jeep Safari is another exciting way to view the wildlife, though the forest department does not offer jeep safaris. However, you can rent one from the tourist lodge at Madarihat or any tourist agency there. A forest guard must accompany the jeep.

Spread over 114 sq km of area, Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary holds the largest expanse of terai grasslands in North Bengal intersected with riverine forests, dry-mixed forests and wet-forests. The climate of the sanctuary is moist tropical with heavy monsoons, which results in luxuriant foliage growth. The sanctuary is drained by the Toorsa and Malangi rivers. Apart from these rivers, various streams crisscross the park. The forest here is mainly savannah covered with tall elephant grasses. Jaldapara teems with plant and animal life, everywhere you’ll find trees and more trees, the most prominent being the sal and shishu trees.

An elephant ride in the morning is an exciting way to explore the park. The ride takes you deep inside the grassland for the real fun and excitement. The sights of rhino in a muddy pond, the herd of elephants or the running deer are the thrilling experiences in Jaldapara. Jeep safari inside the forest is also organised on a regular basis.

Animals in Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary

Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary is popular as rhino land and according to an estimate the sanctuary is home to 60 - 80 rhinoceros. Jaldapara also has a small population of the royal Bengal tiger. Sloth bear, bison, swamp deer, Indian muntjac, wild boar, chital and elephant are the major species of mammals present in the sanctuary.

It is not only wildlife that is the prime attraction here; the sanctuary is a haven for bird watcher too, especially in the winters, when the migratory birds flock here. The sanctuary has a sizeable presence of Bengal florican. The other birds found here are the shikra, jungle fowl, crested eagle, peafowl, patridges, and pied hornbill.

Places to see around Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary

Park Timings &
Best Time to Visit

Park Timings
6am – 8 am and 3 pm to 5 pm

Best Time to Visit
The park is open from mid-September to mid-June. The ideal to visit is from October to early May

Contacts
Assistant Wildlife Warden, Madarihat
Tel: 03563 – 262239

Range Officer
Hollong Tourist Lodge Jaldapara NP, Madarihat
Ph: 03563 - 262228

Gorumara National Park: Just 62 km from Jaldapara, Gorumara can act as a convenient stopover, particularly if you want some extra dose of wildlife. The park offers excellent bird watching opportunities as well as a chance to spot the rhino. Yes, they are here too.

Totopara: It is a small village on the banks of the Torsa River, situated just 30 km from the sanctuary. The village is the only habitat for the Totos, an aboriginal tribe. Help Tourism (check www.helptourism.org) can arrange an anthropological tour.

Chilapata: A dense forest on the way to Cooch Behar from Jaldapara is 25 km away. The forest is home to elephants and leopards. Due to security concerns less than three vehicles are not allowed into the forest at any given time.

Places to stay in Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary
Accommodation is limited here though Madarihat has some good hotels. There are some forest rest houses, which you can book from Forest Department office in Jaldapara. A good place to stay in Jaldapara is Hollong Lodge (03563-262228), which is situated in the heart of the sanctuary.
Hotels in Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary

Reaching Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary

By Air: Bagdogra, 135 km away is the nearest airport, and one can take a taxi to Jaldapara via Siliguri and Madarihat.

By Rail:New Jalpaiguri, 148 km away is the nearest railhead..

By Road: Take the NH31 from Siliguri to Dalgaon via Coronation bridge, Dam Dim, Mal Bazaar and Chalsa. From there, take the NH31C to Madarihat via Birpara.

Check out Driving Directions from Kolkata to Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary

About Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary: Facts & Information

Altitude

61 meters

Temp

Summer	41 (Max) & 26(Min) Degrees Celsius
Winter	28 (Max) & 2 (Min) Degrees Celsius

Best time to Go

October – May

Monsoon

June – September

Summer

April – May

Winter

December - February

Clothes

Cottons in summer and light woolens in winter

Nearest Airport

Bagdogra, 124 km

Nearest Railway Station

Madarihat, 7 km; New Jalpaiguri, 148 km

Bus Station

Jaldapara, regular buses from Siliguri, Madarihat

Hospital & Doctor

Siliguri (140 km) is the nearest city with good medical facilities to handle emergencies

Places to see

Buxa Fort, National Park…more

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