West Bengal (PART-VI)
Jalpaiguri (3)
Buxa Tiger Reserve
Buxa Tiger Reserve, in the subdivision of Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri district, was
set up in the year of 1982-83 at the north eastern corner of West Bengal
bordering Bhutan and Assam. It is declared a National Park in January 1992. The
name "Buxa Tiger" has been derived from Buxa Fort - a fort at an
altitude of 867 meters on the Sinchula Range guarding the most important of the
eleven routes into Bhutan, which once was used for detainees during freedom
movement of India. With an area of 759sq km this picturesque reserve with its
prodigious Terai, Bhabar as well as Hilly landscape, crisscrossed by numerous
rivers and their tributaries, presents a breathtaking landscape.
Buxa is rich with bio-diversity and has a great collection of rare orchids and
medicinal plants. Because of inaccessible terrain some parts of Buxa hills in
the Sinchula range are still unexplored. The veritable flora and fauna of these
wet forests attracts tourists and nature lovers every year. The Generic
diversity of mammals is second highest among all the tiger reserves of India.
Astonishing bio-diversity of animals comprise of a reach avifauna of more than
230 identified species, 67 mammals and 36 species of reptiles.
Apart from Bengal Tiger the flagship species, there are plenty of Leopard,
Fishing Cat, Leopard Cat, Jungle Cat, Indian Civet, Palm Civet, Wild Dogs,
Malayan Gaint Squirrels, Mangooses, Asian Elephant, Gaur, Small Clawless Otter,
Chital, Sambar, Barking Deer, Hog Deer, Wild Buffalo, 3 varieties of Pythons,
Monitor Lizard and a host of land tortoises. A number of animals like Chinese
Pangolin. Regal Python (reticulate) Clouded Leopard are endemic to the region.
The Avifauna is rich in both endemic as well as migratory species. The swift rivers
of Rydak and Jainti are visited by Trans Himalayan Migratory Goosanders, the
beautiful Ibis Bill, resident Fork-tails, varieties of Red-stars, Wag-tails,
the Narathali Lake is visited by migratory Common Teal, Gargani Teal, Large
Whistling Teal, White Eyed Poachared etc. The Hornbills including greater Pied
Hornbill abound the area. One of the rarest birds of India the Black-necked
Crane has been sighted in the Reserve during the early winter. The migratory
beautiful Black Stork is a visitor of the area. The monsoon ends and beautiful
Minivets, Sultan tits arrive, during summer rare Ashyminivet is also sighted.
Jayanti
A picturesque spot along the meandering Jayanti River forming a natural border
with beautiful Bhutan hills Jayanti is a place to stretch your weary legs as
the cool breeze brushes away all the exhaustions. Buxaduar to Jayanti is
another popular trek in the region. This 13 kms trek passes through the dense
forest of Buxa Tiger Reserve. The music of wilderness, the chirping of unknown
birds, the song of wild streams, fragrance of nature will never allow you to feel
the least stress of a long journey. The journey ends with a warm reception of
an old staggering priest at the stalactite cave of Jayanti, popularly known as
the Mahakal cave. It is difficult to enter into the narrow, dark, damp cave but
trying the same may be another precious adventure.
Rajabhatkhawa
Rajabhatkhawa is only 12 kms from Jayanti and approachable by both road and
rail form Siliguri (153kms) and Alipurduar (17 kms). Surrounded by dense
forests of Buxa tiger reserve Rajabhatkhawa is an ideal place for the wild life
lovers. A watchtower deep inside the forest gives the best opportunity to view
elephant, bison and even tiger. The Nature Interpretation Center at
Rajabhatkhawa is another attraction. There is a small bazaar and a beautiful
small rail station.
Rasikbill
74 km away from Alipurduar, Rasik Bill is situated on the way of train journey
from Alipurduars to Kamakshyaguri. There is a huge lake ideal for eco-tourism
activities. What attracts tourists here is the wide variety of avifauna that is
seen around here. The bird variety includes cormorants, different varieties of
storks, ibis, spoonbill, kingfisher, parrots, owl and many others. There is a
large aquarium, a dear Park and a crocodile rehabilitation center at Rasikbill. Tourists who loved to watch the local birds and migratory birds, Rasikbil is the real place for them.
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