Wild life

	THE MAHANANDA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY - It is located in The Himalayan foothills and the Terai region.The Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary is home to elephants, Indian bison or gaur (Bos gaurus), tigers, leopards, sambar (Cervus unicolor), and cheetal. The Neora Valley National Park contains some of the last remnants of virgin and pristine forests. This is reckoned as an unexplored treasure trove of flora and fauna. The Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary constitutes the forests of the lower catchment area of the Mahananda river, and covers an area of 159.86 sq km. Situated at the western end of the elephant migration route, more than 150 elephants shelter here during the monsoon and winter seasons. Migratory water birds are common in winter. The other animals found are the rare mountain goat (Serow), some tigers and herds of Gaur, leopards, wild pig, varieties of deer and monkeys, jungle cats, porcupines, civets, monitor lizards and snakes. The Sanctuary offers some beautiful trekking routes from Sukna. Golaghat, Deorali and the Latpancher-Mana track are the favourites for trekking and bird watching. Transport and communication Sukna, about 7 km from Siliguri, is the main entry point, and has a Nature Interpretation Centre. Rail, road and air routes connect Siliguri with Calutta and Delhi.
	SANCHAL SANCTUARY Sanchal Sanctuary, adjoining Darjeeling town, is the home of barking deer, wild pigs, himalayan black bear, leopards, jungle cats, common rhesus monkeys, assamese macaque, himalayan flying squirrels, etc. The sanctuary is also rich in bird life. Transport and Communication: Rail, road and air routes via New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri and Bagdogra, connect Rail, road and air routes via New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri and Bagdogra, connect Darjeeling from Calcutta and Delhi. SINGHALIA NATIONAL PARK: This National Park is in the high altitude Rhododendron and orchid country which encompasses the higher reaches of the Himalayas. It has it's own distinct natural beauty and rich flora. It is a natural habitat for the endangered red panda, whose population has dwindled considerably. A project for captive breeding of the red panda in the Darjeeling zoo is operational for subsequent release of the stock in their natural habitat. Singhalila National Park is the highest located National Park(between 2400 m to 3650 m ASL) in West Bengal, and is situated in the extreme north western boundary of Darjeeling district. The park is not only famous for its wildlife but also offers one of the best trekking routes in the eastern Himalayas - from Maneybhanjang near Darjeeling, via Tonglu to Sandakphu (35 km) and Phalut. The view of the Kanchenjunga range of peaks from Sandakphu is a breathtaking and unforgettable one.
	Transport and Communication Rail, road and air routes via New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri and Bagdogra, connect it from Calcutta and Delhi. Jaldapara Sanctuary This sanctuary is situated in the Dooars region, which is a mixed dry deciduous forest land dotted with grasslands and harbors the largest diversity of mega fauna in West Bengal. This reserve forest was founded in 1941 mainly for the protection of the great Indian rhinoceros. After reaching an all-time low in the mid-seventies, the population has now bounced back and the rhinos are kept under constant surveillance.You are not likely to view spectacular samples of Indian wildlife at Jaldapara. But this sanctuary in north Bengal by the Torsa river, at the foothills of the Himalayas, is a very pleasant summer refuge. Rides by elephant through the park, strolls through towering elephant grass and silent evenings at the jungle lodge are the stuff of good vacations. The area of this Sanctuary is 100 sq kms. It is 121 kms from Siliguri and 12 kms from Hansimara (Cooch Behar). According to the census count in 1992, there are 33 rhinos in this sanctuary. From June 15th to September 15th no tourists are allowed in this reserve forest.
	Accomodation 1. Hollong Forest Lodge, Madarihat 2. WBTDC Madarihat Tourist Lodge, Madarihat 3. Youth Hostel Transport and Communication Rail, road and air routes via New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri and Bagdogra, connect it from Calcutta and Delhi. Buxa Tiger Reserve The Buxa Tiger Reserve, is located in the eastern Dooars. India Eco-development Project is currently being implemented here with fund assistance of GEF and IDA for direct involvement of local population in a major conservation enterprise. Tigers,leopards, clouded leopards, elephants, Indian bison or gaur, cheetal, sloth bear, wild bear, monitor lizards, snakes of various kinds and a variety of birds are found here.
	Transport and Communication Rail, road and air routes via New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri and Bagdogra, connect it from Calcutta and Delhi. Sunderbans Sunderbans situated on the end of the Gangetic West Bengal.It is the worlds largest Estuarine Delta covered by rarest mangrove forest and vast saline muddy soil.It is spread in area of 9360sq.kms whose 70% is under saline water. The extensive mangrove forests aptly fit the ecosystem. This reservoir of tigers was declared a National Park in 1984. The lush greenery and narrow river channels add to the panoramic charm of this place. Crocodiles and the Gangetic dolphins are also some more attractions. For the protection of the Olive Ridley sea turtles and the world-famous Royal Bengal tiger Project Tiger was launched. Sajnakhali sanctuary, famous for its tigers is also a part of the Sunderbans National Park. It is the land of 54 tiny islands where river Ganga splits into numerous channels. Sunderbans is extremely dense consists of flora, impenetrable trees and roots of mangrove trees that struck out above the water level. Sunderbans is the breeding ground of different varieties of birds as fishing eagles, sea eagles, seagulls, egret, heron, kingfisher and migratory birds and full of large variety of aquatic and reptile life as King cobra, Pythons, , Kill back Salvatore lizards etc. AIR: Nearest air port is Kolkata RAILWAYS There is no Railway station near Sunderban. Only accessible route is by riverine water ways. WATER WAYS: One can get private boats from Canning, Gosaba, Raidhighi, Nimkhana and Sonakhali. All ports are connected from Calcutta
	DOOARS WILDLIFE The forested areas of Northern West Bengal present a plethora of Wildlife. This mixed dry deciduous forest land dotted with grasslands, harbors the largest diversity of mega fauna in West Bengal. A large range of foothill forest in North Bengal is called Dooars. Once the whole area was under the reign of Koch Raj. A visit to this area may bring visitors to be in touch with the combination of the solidified history and nature. Tea Gardens, alpine landscape, transparent river, National Parks and the Wildlife Sanctuary creates a paradise. Beautiful motor able roads cut through deep forests, rich with wildlife. Mauvehills stand at the end of velvet green plains. The forests echo with the melody of birds. In between, there are fabulous wildlife sanctuaries with picture-postcard, log cabin lodges and valleys carpeted with tea gardens. Where to visit :- The ruins of forts at Nalrajar Garh and Buxa Duar, Jalpesh temple and Totopara, the habitat of the rare Toto tribes. Dooars are the real treasures of Wildlife. Transport and Communication ROAD: The most convenient entry point to Dooars is through Siliguri by road. Regular bus connections between Siliguri and most important spots in the Dooars. RAIL: Broad gauge rail connection between New Jalpaiguri and Mal, Madarihat, Nilpara, Jainti, Mainaguri, Dhupguri and Falakata and Meter gauge rail connection between Siliguri and most spots are available.