National Parks in West Bengal For The Wildlife Enthusiasts

Known For : Marichjhanpi Ghoramara Island New Moore Island

Known for having the biggest mangrove forests in the world, Sundarbans National Park in West Bengal, India is home to the infamous Bengal tiger. It is also a Tiger Reserve and a Biosphere reserve that provides a complete nature's circle to the tourist right from 'Royal Bengal tigers' to roaring rivers and beautiful estuaries. Sundarbans National Park is a part of Sundarban delta that is covered with Mangrove Forest and the largest population of the Bengal Tigers. It is a UNESCO world heritage site with a large variety of birds and reptiles including salt-water crocodile.

Best Time: September to March

3 Sundarbans Attractions

The Buxa Tiger Reserve was set up at the northeastern corner of West Bengal, bordering Bhutan and Assam, on 16th February 1983 and was the 15th tiger reserve of the country. The forest constituting of the Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal is the largest in the Dooars. Spanning over a whopping 759 sq. kms, this tiger reserve is crossed by several rivers and their tributaries and is proud of a diverse and breathtaking landscape. In fact, because of the rocky terrain, many parts of the forest in the Buxa hills that lie in the Sinchula Range are inaccessible by the authorities, and hence remain unexplored even after so many years!

Situated on the banks of rivers Murti and Raidak in the Jalpaiguri district, the Gorumara National Park in West Bengal is a site that you cannot miss to afford on your next trip to Dooars. Spread over an area of 80 square kilometres, this medium sized forest is situated in the foothills of the Great Himalayas and has a large variety of flora and fauna on display for the curious visitors, nature lovers and wildlife photographers, who visit the place to catch a glimpse of the miraculous workings of nature. Full of riverine grasslands and moist deciduous forests, the place is especially famous for its Asiatic one-horned rhino, but also houses many other mammals, reptiles, insects and birds, including the majestic Asian elephants, the royal Bengal tigers and the Great Indian Hornbill.

Established in 1986, Neora Valley National Park in West Bengal finds itself in the Kalimpong district. Spreading over an area of 88 sq km, it is one of the richest biological zones in eastern India. It gets its name from the river Neora that flows through it. Due to the luxurious growth of forest cover, many areas in the park are still inaccessible. This untouched destination becomes an adventurous place for nature lovers and trekkers who wish to explore its wilderness. 

Situated in the Eastern foothills of the Himalayas, the Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary in West Bengal along with Gorumara National Park is famous for one-horned rhinoceros, elephants and Bengal Tigers, spotted deers, barking deers, sambhar deers, bison, wild pig, hog deer and bison.

Best Time: September to May

Located at an altitude of more than 7000 feet above the sea in the Singalila range, the Singalila National Park in West Bengal is the highest national park in the state. Initially, a wildlife sanctuary, the national park encompasses a beautiful, 78.60 sq km land of virgin rhododendron forests, alpine valley and rare species of animals and orchids. It is most famous for the breathtakingly mind-stirring view of the Himalayan peak that it offers, providing a panoramic view of the gigantic Himalayas from Nepal to Sikkim and up to Bhutan. This amazing Singalila National Park is also a haven for all the wildlife residing here as the area is strictly reserved for protection of biodiversity and activities like developmental forestry, poaching, hunting and grazing on cultivation are not permitted.

Located at a distance of about 20 km from the Gorumara National Park in West Bengal, this wildlife sanctuary is another spectacle of nature's magnificence. With Kanchanjungha and other Himalayan peaks painted across its backdrop, tourists can see a wide diversity of animals like elephants, gaur, leopards in their natural habitat.

Mahanada Wildlife Sanctuary in West Bengal is a must if you are into wildlife. Located at the foothills of Himalayas in the Terai region, it is spread across the lower catchment area of river Mahanada.

Located about 8 km off Navadwipa, this bird sanctuary in West Bengal is yet another offering to the thousands of tourists who make their way to this land of Krishna every year.

Situated between Mahananda and Teesta River, this vast expanse of forest lands is home to rare mountain goat, Cheetal, barking dear, fishing cat, sambar, tiger, elephant and Indian bison and migratory birds. It offers mild to medium trekking challenges at Deorali, Latpancher and Golaghat Mana.