Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary
Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the oldest Sanctuary in India. It situated in the Nagrakata block of Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal. The Murti River flows by the western boundary of it and the Sanctuary is totally located on the plain land of the Doors. Just 9.6 square kilometers area is bounded in this Sanctuary. It is a very small Sanctuary in India compare with others. The Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary is filled with dense greenery which provides a natural home to the animals and birds living here. With very tall trees and thick bower of greenery, this sanctuary is wildlife heaven. In 1895, it was declared as Reserve Forest by the British Government. In 1998, it was declared as Wildlife Sanctuary.
Climate
Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the lower Gangetic Plain, so the land is almost flat and easy. In summer, from May to October average temperature ranges from 27°C to 37°C and in winter from November to February average temperature ranges from 10°C to 21°C but in March and April it comes up from 24°C to 27°C. It belongs in the heavy rainfall zone. And monsoon comes in between May to October and average rainfall nearly 362 cm.
Flora and Fauna
Note | |
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Area | 9.6 km2 |
Location | Nagrakata Block of Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal |
Nearest Town | Chalsa and Lataguri |
Nearest City | Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar |
Distance | 8 km from Chalsa, 26 km from Lataguri, 70 km from Jalpaiguri and 72 km from Siliguri |
Best Season | October to April |
Main attractions | Elephant, The Royal Bengal Tiger and Gaur (Indian Bison) |
Currency | Indian Rupee () |
Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary has covered mostly with Dry Mixed Forest. You can find out some rare plants in this Sanctuary that are hard to find somewhere else. Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary is mostly cover with wooden tree like Sal, Teak, Shishu, Shirish, etc.
You can see a number of Orchids belonging to the genus Acampe, Bulbophyllum, Chiloschista, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Eria, Gastrochilus, Luisia and Oberonia are very common.
Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for Indian Elephant. A large numbers of Elephant are there. Beside this the Royal Bengal Tiger and Indian Bison(Gaur) are very common animal in this Sanctuary. Cheetal, Sambar, Barking Deer, Wild boar, Pangolin and many more species are also available in the Sanctuary.
Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary is paradise for bird watchers. There are more than 100 species of birds which include Green Magpie, Indian Treepie, Thrush, Scarlet Minivet, Hill Mayna, White Breasted Kingfisher, Hornbill, Large Grey Headed Fishing Eagle, Adjutant Stork, Peafowl, Green pigeon, Roller, Florican, Flinch, Bee-eater, Black Partridges and many more. In winter you can find out various migratory birds like Brahminy, Teals, etc.
An observation tower is located in the front of the Glade in the Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a very beautiful bird watching point as well as elephant and Gaur.
People
In the boundary area of the Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary has some villages. Khunia, Sipchu, and Panjhora are some of them. People of those villages have a way of hard life. Villagers are basically from the Scheduled caste and Scheduled tribes community of India. Rajbanshi, Nepali, Rava, Munda and Oraon are common of them. If you have interested in the culture and lifestyle of tribal communities, then you can visits to this villages to familiars with them. They practice their tribal music and dance mostly at the every day evening.
Transport to go
By Road: National Highway No.31 between Siliguri and Guwahati passes over Chalsa and Lataguri and beside the Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary. North Bengal State Transport Corporation Buses, Bhutan Govt. Buses, Mini Buses and Private Buses are available from Siliguri to Chalsa and Lataguri. Journey time is around 2 hours.
By Rail: Nearest railway station is Chalsa. But all train is not arrived at Chalsa. New Jalpaiguri , Alipurduar and Siliguri Railway Station are main railway station in this area. You can change train from New Jalpaiguri or can follow the road journey from New Jalpaiguri to the park or from Siliguri to the park. It is better to access road journey after Siliguri or Jalpaiguri.
By Air: Nearest airport is Bagdogra. It is a domestic airport under Indian Army. All major air services are available from all over India. Distance between Bagdogra and Siliguri is 13 km. You can find out various vehicles to come in Siliguri, and then follow the above road route.
Accommodation
In Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, has a forest bungalow on the bank of river Murti with two room; each room has two bed. You can also manage four cottages of W.B.F.D.C.Ltd. which are located at Murti and Chapramari Camp of Panjhora. Each cottage has two bed. Every type of food also available from there with a reasonable price. Beside this many private lodge, hotel and resorts are available at Lataguri and Chalsa. To check the room availability and online booking in the resorts of West Bengal Forest Development Corporation click here.
Reservation Authorities :
Wildlife Division - II
Aranya Bhawan, Jalpaiguri-735101
Phone: (+91) 03561-220017
Email: dfowildlife2@gmail.com
M-4 Building, Pradhan Nagar
Hill Cart Road, Siliguri - 734403
Phone : (0353) 2511979 / 4, 2432561
Fax : (0353) 2511979, 2432561