Derived from the word 'doors', the Dooars form a gateway to the hill stations of North Bengal and Bhutan. Spread over a vast stretch of land 130 kms by 40 kms and consisting of velvety green tea gardens and virgin forests crisscrossed by the river Teesta and its tributaries the region is famous for its wildlife sanctuaries, the most notable of which is Jaldapara,which is home to the famous one-horned Indian rhino and some rare and endemic species like the Hispid hare, Hogbadger and sloth bears. The forests in the Dooars have a large variety of deer, namely, the sambar, barking deer, spotted deer and the hog deer. The wild life sanctuaries in the region are Mahananda, Gorumara, Buxa Tiger Reserve and Rasikbill. The rich and varied avifauna includes the Crested Eagle, Pallas' Fishing Eagle, Bengal Florican and the Lesser Pied Hornbill. Python, monitor lizards, krates, cobras, geckos and about eight species of fresh water turtles enrich the reptilian diversity. A great way of exploring the sanctuary is on elephant back.
GETTING THERE
Air: Bagdogra is the nearest airport with good connections to Kolkata and Delhi.
Rail: All the express trains stop at Birpara/ Hasimara railway stations, both 20 km away from the Jaldapara Sanctuary.
Road: Jaldapara is 240 km from Siliguri down NH 31.
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