Dooars is the gateway to North East India and Bhutan, an adjacent plain area that lies on the foothills of Eastern Himalayas. The name Dooars derived from the word ‘Duar’ means door in the local language. It stretches over a wide range of 8,800 sq km area, well-known for its vast tea gardens, rich biodiversity, dense vegetation, the lush green texture of grasslands, a number of wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and many other rare species. Dooars is bordered with the sparkling River Teesta, Raidhak, Sankosh, Torsa, etc.
Dooars is a nature lovers paradise as the region offers a plentiful of exploration. It is the home of five major national parks and sanctuaries onf India, each carrying their own uniqueness. One can definitely go and take a glimpse of Royal Bengal Tigers, Clouded Leopard, Asian Elephants, Himalayan Black Bear, Barking Deer, Gaur, Pangolin, Python, Rhinos and Indian wolves in their habitat. One can also visit the orchards of Suntaleykhola, the ruins of Buxa Fort and refresh yourselves in the serene resorts at the lap of nature.
SIGHTSEEING PLACES IN DOOARS
Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary is full of lush vegetation and diverse wildlife. With the river Torsha flowing through this rain-forest sanctuary and the river Malangi flowing nearby it has a beautiful landscape and peaceful atmosphere. The forest is mainly savanna covered with tall elephant grasses and elephant or jeep safaris are the only ways to move inside the forest. This sanctuary is famous for its Asiatic one-horned rhinoceros and holds the highest population of rhinos in India just after the Kaziranga National Park in Assam. It is also home to elephants, deer, spotted deer, tigers, bison, wild pigs, and many more animals and birds.
Buxa Fort
Situated within the Buxa Tiger Reserve in the Jalpaiguri district Buxa Fort is a fascinating historical site of Dooars. It is said that early on the fort was used by the King of Bhutan to protect the famous Silk Route which connected India and Tibet through Bhutan. Later the British used the fort as a detention center for freedom fighters and during the time of occupation of Tibet by China, numerous monks from different Tibetan orders set up refugee camps there. Buxa Fort is also a very popular trekking destination for visitors and offers amazing trek routes full of beautiful viewpoints along its route.
Buxa Tiger Reserve
Created in 1983 as the 15th tiger reserve in India the Buxa Tiger Reserve which is a protected forest reserve of Dooars is located in the Alipurduar District bordering Bhutan and Assam. Deriving its name from the famous Buxa Fort it is one of the most famous tourist places in the Dooars region. It has a collection of rare orchids and medicinal plants and its diversity of mammals ranks second highest among all the Tiger Reserves of India. Visitors can see Bengal Tigers, wild dogs, Malayan Giant Squirrels, Asian elephants, Wild Buffaloes, different species of pythons and tortoises, and many other exotic animals.
Rocky Island
A tourist destination in Dooars situated on the banks of River Murti, Rocky Island is a popular camping site. About 2 km from Samsing this place offers mesmerizing views of the river and the majestic surrounding forests. Tents are available as accommodation for overnight visitors so they to fully enjoy the tranquil nature and the peaceful surrounding. This place also offers activities like trekking, rock climbing, and rappelling to any adventure-seeking visitors. There are some enjoyable treks to beautiful spots close by like Sherpagaon, Bhalukope, Jhandidara, and Mo-Chuki. Travelers can stay at nearby resorts or homestays and enjoy the beautiful and serene nature of Rocky Island and the Murti River.
Gorumara National Park
With mixed vegetation of lush forest and fascinating grasslands, Gorumara National Park is situated at the foothills of the Eastern Himalaya in the Terai region. Famous for its population of the one-horned rhino, the Ministry of Environment and Forest declared Gorumara as the best-protected area in India. Situated on the banks of Murti and Raidak this park houses many mammals, reptiles, insects, birds, Asian elephants, Royal Bengal Tigers, and many more animals. This park is one of the most popular tourist destinations due to its magnificent beauty and richness in flora and fauna.
Chapramari Forest
Chapramari Forest is a continuation of the Gorumara only separated by the Murti River which passes through the otherwise continuous forest. It has diverse flora and fauna, gorgeous rivers, and a beautiful lush forest that provides mesmerizing views. Visitors can see a wide range of wildlife there like elephants, gaurs, leopards, different types of deer, boars, and many other animals including rare sightings of one-horned rhinos. Also famous for its variety of birds visitors can find mynas, green magpie, thrush, white-breasted kingfisher, and many others. At different times of the year orchids and other flowers boom throughout the forest making it more beautiful.
