Jaldapara National Park is a national park in the Northern Plains of West Bengal, India.
It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1991 and a national park in 2012.
Jaldapara National Park lies in the Himalayan foothills and has great natural beauty. The river Torsa flows through this rainforest sanctuary which is mostly covered with tall grasses, the sanctuary encompasses luxuriant vegetation and a rich variety of wildlife. The Malangi River also flows nearby from east to west. Riding elephants and terrain vehicle safari is the only way to move inside this forest. Elephant safari is preferred by the people staying at Jaldapara (in Holong Forest Guest House or Tourist Lodge) overnight. The terrain vehicle safari is available in the morning and in the afternoon.
The forest is mainly a savannah covered with tall elephant grasses. A particular kind of plant known as Ramgua or Ramguna tree is found in this forest. These trees have unique blood-like red sap, that comes out of their bark when cut.
The main attraction of the park is the Asiatic one-horned rhinoceros. The national park holds the highest rhino population in India after Kaziranga National Park in Assam. The other animals found are tigers, elephants, deer, sambhar, barking deer, spotted deer, hog deer, wild pigs and bison.
Jaldapara National Park 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 fishing eagle and shikra, besides jungle fowl, peafowl, partridges, and lesser pied hornbill. Python, monitor lizards, krates, cobras, geckos and about 8 species of freshwater turtles have also found sanctuary here.
This article also covers Chilapata Forests, which is a migration corridor of rhinos and elephants. Due to the hunting of the Maharajas of Cooch Behar, rhinos have become rare. The dense natural forest is also home to leopards, bison, 4 species of deer, peacocks, wild boar, 22 species of snakes, 180 species of birds, and a large diversified variety of butterflies. Reptiles found here include python, krait, cobra, water monitor, and freshwater turtles; as well as birds like fishing eagle, shikra, crested eagle, jungle fowl, peaceful partridge, Bengal florican, paradise flycatchers, racket-tailed drongo and pied hornbill.
Warm and humid all year long. The best season to visit is from the middle of October to the end of February.
Madarihat is the entry point for the park. It is on NH 31 (Siliguri-Hasimara), 140 km east from Siliguri, 80 km north from Cooch Behar and 50 km west from Alipurduar.
The nearest airport with commercial flights is Rupsi Airport (IATA: RUP) in Lower Assam. Another option is Bagdogra Airport (IATA: IXB) in Siliguri, which handles daily flights from all major cities in India and twice weekly international flights to and from Paro and Bangkok.
The nearest railway station is Madarihat which is 7 km from the park. All passenger trains stop here.
Jaldapara National Park is connected by road with Siliguri and other places in the Dooars. NBSTC buses, Bhutan Government buses, minibuses are available from Siliguri to Alipurduar via Madarihat. Cars can also be hired at Siliguri.
Entry fees to visit the park (Hollong): ₹25/- per head for Indian Nationals. ₹50/- per light vehicle. ₹200/- per heavy vehicle. ₹5/- per still camera. ₹250/- per video camera.
A thrilling elephant safari is organized in the early morning from Hollong to offer the exquisite beauty of the vast grassland of Jaldapara. The elephant ride is the best possible way to explore the sanctuary with the rare sight of Indian rhinos and Asiatic elephants. The terrain vehicle safari inside the sanctuary is another main attraction. Jeeps can be hired from Madarihat for day visits.
Elephant ride charge (as of 2007-08): per adult: ₹120 (maximum 4 persons allowed on each elephant).
For Chilapata, terrain vehicle safari for wildlife sighting requires hiring of gypsys and guides, trained by Forest Department. It takes place twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon. Fee for gypsy hire is ₹1300/- per car, fee for guide hire is ₹300/-, fee for vehicle entry is ₹300/- and fee for per-person entry is ₹100/-. Tribal dance performance is included in safari only for the fourth trip during afternoon. Charge is ₹50/- per person.
On an elephant ride you can see so many animals, like rhino, various types of deer, elephants, bisons, peacocks, etc.
See the view from Hollong Rest House (govt.)
Jaldapara family tourism and restaurant is a cheap rated lodge which is very close to the ticket counter for car & elephant safari.
However, no drinks inside the park. For consumption in the lodge, it is better to carry one’s own choice.