Friday, June 19, 2009

Wildlife In Jalpaiguri

India's wildlife is both rich and varied. More than 4% of India's land is under forest cover- there are at least 90 national parks and 482 wildlife sanctuaries. The country is one of the 12 mega diversity areas in the world, in terms of animal. Now let us all divert our attention towards the bio

diversity of a district of west Bengal, Jalpaiguri. Apart from the 90 national parks and 482 wildlife sanctuaries of India only 2 national parks, 2 wildlife sanctuaries and 1 tiger reserve have an establishment in the district. Let us now go into the details of the National parks.

National parks

Neora Valley National Park is one of the last remaining pristine ecosystems of the

Eastern Himalayas with its amazing Bio-diversity, and is home to many rare and endangered plants, animals and birds. It exhibits a rich variety of habitat as the area comprises the catchments and watershed of the Neora River with its tributaries. The National Park spreads over an area of 88.00 sq. km. in the civil district of Darjeeling under Kalimpong Sub-Division. It was de

clared as a National Park finally in 1992. the land of the cute Red Panda in its pristine undisturbed natural habitat with rugged inaccessible hilly terrain and rich diverse flora and fauna together make the Park an important wilderness zone.

Animals

Significance of Neora Valley National Park in the international context lies in the fact that it provides shelter and protection to various species of Wildlife included in the Red Data Book (R.D.B.) of IUCN and the appendices of CITES. The Park harbours more than 31 species of mammals, which include the (1) Red Panda, (2) Clouded Leopard, (3) Mithun,

(4) Ghoral, (5) Wild Dog, (6) Himalayan Black Bear, (7) Leopard, (8) Leopard Cat, (9) Himalayan Thar, (10) Royal Bengal Tiger. The dense nature of the forest bars the easy sighting of animals.

Birds

Neora Valley National Park is extra ordinarily rich in avi-fauna.

Due to its change in altitude at places, various species of birds make the park a paradise for bird watchers. There are more than 106 species of birds which include Eagle, Tragopan, Cuckoo, Wood Owl, Barbet, Woodpecker, Babbler, Robin, Thrush, Flycatcher, Jungle Crow, Sunbird, Maynas and Orioles.

Orchids

Nature has gifted Neora Valley with variety of colourful Wild Orchids. One can get a glimpse of this magnificent flora from 600 feet to 10,000 feet. Some of the Orchids recorded in the Neora Valley National Park, belong to the genus, Bulbophyllum, Cymbidium, Celogyne, Dendrobium, Eira, Gastrochilus and Pleione.

Gorumara National Park, the land of the Prehistoric Great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros is located in the flood plains of Murti and Jaldhaka rivers of Dooars (rolling hill slopes) region within Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal. The dry deciduous forest land interspersed with grasslands, harbors one of largest diversity of mega fauna in West Bengal. This Reserve Forest since 1895 was declared as a Wildlife National Park in 1949 comprising a small area of 2129 acres. In view of its great diversity of plants and animals it was declared as a National Park in 1994 comprising a total area of 79.99 sq.km. Further inclusion of 6 sq. kms. is under consideration.

Major significance of this National Park is number of schedule I animals it harbours which are given maximum protection. Some of them are (1) Great Indian One horned Rhinoceros, (2) Indian Elephant, (3) Gaur (Indian Bison), (4) Leopard, (5) Rock Python, (6) Malayan Giant Squirrel. Gorumara National Park has approximately 48 species of carnivores and herbivores, 193 species of birds, 22 species of reptiles, 7 species of turtles, 27 species of fishes and other macro and micro fauna.

The Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise with its rich bio-diversity reflected in its wonderful avi-fauna comprising Hornbills, woodpeckers, Green Pigeons, Cuckoos, Orioles, Babblers, Minivets, Pheasants, Mynas, Lbis, and of course our National Bird Peacock. Many migratory birds including the Brahminy duck, Teals are regular visitors to the National Park.

Watch Towers located at various points provide excellent facilities for wildlife viewing. They are Jatraprasad Watch Tower (named in memory of a Kunki Elephant). Rhino Point (in front of the Gorumara Forest Rest House), Chandrachur Tower (Old Khunia), Chukchuki Tower (a bird watching point) and Medhla Tower (recently added).

Let us now have a look at the wildlife sanctuaries of the district.

Wildlife sanctuaries

Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary nestled in the Dooars plain is a small but one of the oldest Wildlife Sanctuary in West Bengal. The name Chapramari probably derives from “Chopra” which means a type of fish and “Mari” which means abundant. The Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Nagrakata Block of Jalpaiguri District, just at the foothills of Kalimpong Sub-division and on the banks of Murti River. The Reserve Forest since 1895 was declared as a Game Sanctuary in 1939. In view of its great diversity of flora and fauna it was declared as a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1998 comprising a total area of 9.6031 sq. kms.

Animals

Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for its mega-herbivores such as the Elephant and the Gaur. Along with these, Cheetal, Sambar, Barking Deer, Wildboar, Pangolin are also present in the Sanctuary. It is significant in the international context for providing shelter and protection to various species of Wildlife included in the Red data Book (R.D.B) of the IUCN and the appendices of CITES. The Sanctuary provides an excellent opportunity for study of the habitat, behavior, food, population dynamics of these animals.

Birds

Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary is popular for its scenic beauty such as forested landscape w2ith its rive rain ecosystem which no one can forget. This Sanctuary is a paradise for birds such as Green Magpie, Indian Treepie, Thrush, Scarlet Minivet, Hill Mayna, Whitr Breasted Kingfisher, Hornbill, Large Grey Headed Fishing Eagle, Adjutant Stork etc. the most common water birds are the large and little Cormorant, Darter & Egret. Migratory birds include the Brahminy and Teals.

Jaldapara wildlife Sanctuary is of 26 sq. km where one-horned rhinoceros, elephant, sambhar, barking deer, spotted deer etc. can be spotted.

The drive to Jaldapara takes you over the coronation bridge through the dense forests to the Bengal Plains and through the tea gardens to Madrihat. The birds to be found here are the Crested Eagle, Pallas's Fishing Eagle and shikra, besides Jungle fowl, peafowl, patridges, Bengal Florican and lesser Pied Hornbill. Python, monitor lizards, krates, cobras, geckos and about 8 species of fresh water turtles have also found sanctuary here.

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