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Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary

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Jaldapara National Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Elephant safari.jpg
An elephant safari through the Jaldapara Sanctuary
Map showing the location of Jaldapara National Park
Location in West Bengal, India
Location Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal, India
Coordinates
Area 216.51

Jaldapara National Park (Pron: ˌʤʌldəˈpɑ:rə) (formerly Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary) is a national park situated at the foothills of Eastern Himalayas in Alipurduar Sub-Division of Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal and on the bank of river Torsa. Jaldapara is situated at an altitude of 61 m. and is spread across 216.51 km2 (83.59 sq mi) of vast grassland with patches of riverine forests.[1] It was declared a sanctuary in 1941 for protection of the great variety flora and fauna. Today, it has the largest population of Indian one horned rhinoceros in the state, an animal threatened with extinction,[2] and is a Habitat management area (Category IV).[3] The nearby Chilapata Forests is an elephant corridor between Jaldapara and the Buxa Tiger Reserve[4] Also close by is the Gorumara National Park, known for its population of Indian Rhinoceros.

Contents

History

Toto tribes used to stay in this area before 1800. At that time this place was known as “Totapara”. Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1941 for the purpose of protecting the Indian one-horned rhinoceros. In May 2012 it was declared a national park.[1][5]

Flora and fauna

Wild elephants grazing at Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary

The forest is mainly savannah covered with tall elephant grasses. The main attraction of the park is the Indian one-horned rhinoceros. The park holds the largest rhino population in India after Kaziranga National Park in Assam. Other animals in the park include Royal Bengal Tigers, elephants, sambar, barking deer, spotted deer, hog deer, wild pigs, and bison.

Jaldapara is a paradise for bird watchers. It is one of the very few places in India, where the Bengal florican is sighted. The other birds to be found here are the crested eagle, Pallas's fish eagle, shikra, Finn's weaver, jungle fowl, peafowl (peacock), partridge, and lesser Pied Hornbill. Pythons, monitor lizards, kraits, cobras, geckos, and about 8 species of fresh water turtles can also be found here.

Many of the animals in the park are endangered, like the Indian one-horned rhino and elephants.

Evening at Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary
A Riding Point in Jaladapara

References

  1. ^ a b "National Park status for Jaldapara Sanctuary". Times of India. 11 May 2012. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
  2. ^ "Jalpaiguri Tourism". Jalpaiguri District Website. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  3. ^ Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary, India
  4. ^ Wildlife Times: Elephants of North Bengal
  5. ^ "জাতীয় উদ্যানের স্বীকৃতি জলদাপাড়াকে". Anandabazar Patrika (in Bengali). 11 May 2012. Retrieved 11 May 2012.

External links