Chalsa - Gateway to Dooars
Chalsa is a small city in Jalpaiguri district, surrounded by hills, canvas like tea gardens, mighty rivers and dense forests, which is located on the foothill of the great Himalayas in Dooars region of West Bengal, India. This small city is surrounded by two famous forests - Gorumara National Park and Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary. Both forests are famous for its wildlife animals, especially for elephants, one-horned rhinoceros and gaurs (Indian bison). For its beauty, it was known as "Queen of Duars" in British India. Due to minimum population and less traffic Chalsa is far away from the city crowds, pollutions and noises, so it gives you a fresh air and stress free moments under the blue sky with the know and unknown melody of birds.
Attractions in Chalsa
Quick Facts | |
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Altitude | 163 m (535 ft) |
Population | 4,973 (2011 census) |
Location | Malbazar subdivision of Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal |
Nearest Town | Malbazar |
Distance | 65 km from Siliguri, 7 km from Malbazar and 57 km from Jalpaiguri |
Best Season | Anytime except the monsoon. |
Language | Bengali, Hindi, English |
Currency | Indian Rupee() |
Time Zone | UTC+5:30 |
Danse forests, wildlife animals, Mithy Rivers, various migrants and Indian birds, canvas like tea gardens and also the hills are main attraction in Chalsa. Ultimately Chalsa is famous for the scenic beauty and wildlife. It is surrounded by Gorumara National Park and Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary. Jaldapara National Park and Buxa Tiger Reserve are also near by Chalsa. So, this region is rich with various wildlife animals. Indian elephants, one-horned rhinoceros, and guars (Indian bison) are famous of them. A verity of floras and orchids are also available here. Near by Buxa Tiger Reserve is famous for Royal Bengal Tiger.
Chalsa is also famous for a large number of canvas like tea gardens surrounding here and there. From the balcony of a room you can enjoy the scenic beauty of hills and tea gardens. The Kurti river flows down the small hillock and tea gardens. Chalsa is quite popular to tourists, because various tourist destinations of the dooars region are quick accessible from there. So, you can travel all nearby tourist destination after halt or night stay at Chalsa.
Places around Chalsa
Gorumara National Park is famous to visitors for its natural population of one-horned Rhinoceros, situated on the bank of rivers Murti and Raidak. Indian elephants, gaur (Indian Bison), a huge varities of dear, lepord, python, monkey, etc are also frequently available in Gorumara National Park. A trolley safari through the abandoned rail path is very exciting activities in this forests, with a charge of Rs. 100/- per head. Gorumara National Park is just 14 kilometers away from Chalsa.
Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the oldest Sanctuary in India, located on the east bank of Murti River and the Sanctuary is totally located on the plain land of the Doors. It is famous for Indian elephants and gour (Indian bison) as wildlife and various types of orchids are also available here. Chalsa is a entry point to the Chapramari Wildlife sanctuary.
Jaldapara National Park is situated on the bank of river Torsa in West Bengal. It is world famous for Asiatic one-horned rhinoceros. Besides rhinoceros, Indian elephant, gaur, leopard, barking dear and more are available here.
Buxa Tiger Reserve is the only other place where Royal Bengal Tigers are available in West Bengal after Sunderbans. It is also famous for elephant and gaur (Indian bison). Buxa is rich in bio-diversity and has a rare collection of orchids and medicinal plants.
Bindu is the end point of West Bengal to the north, nearby Bhutan border. The village surrounded by hills and forests. So it is famous for its scenic beauty. The hydel project on the Jaldhaka River is the first hydel project in India and also a tourist attraction at Bindu.
Murti is situated on the bank of the River Murti is the entry point to the Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary and also nearby Gorumara National Park. Murti itself is a very nice tourist spot. In the river Murti, you can find out Gharials. Murti is 8 kilometers away from Chalsa.
Malbazar or Mal is not a very good tourist destinations in the Duars, but its strategic location and availability of all modern facilities and hotels makes it as a significant destinations for all tourists who want to visits in the Duars. It has a distance of 7 kilometers from Chalsa.
Samsing (15 km) is also a famous tourist destinations near by Chalsa.
Transport
By Road : Chalsa has 65 kilometers away from Siliguri Bus Stand on the way towards Alipurduar via Malbazar. Malbazar is 7 km ahead from Chalsa. The NH 31 connecting the North-East India with West Bengal (from Bihar to Assam) passes through Chalsa. NBSTC Buses, Bhutan Govt. Buses, Mini Buses, Private Buses and Taxi are available from Siliguri to Chalsa. It may takes around one and half hours Journey from Siliguri on road. For the duars maximum Busses leave from PC Mittal Bus Stand in Siliguri.
By Rail : New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri Railway Station are main railway station in this area. From Kolkata and Guwahati you can manage several train to come in New Jalpaiguri (NJP). After you arrive at New Jalpaiguri or Siliguri, you can follow the road journey to reach at Chalsa or can change train to reach Chalsa. Mal Jn is a good railway station nearby Chalsa. It takes around 1:30 hours from Siliguri on train too.
By Air : Nearest airport is Bagdogra at Siliguri. Distance between Bagdogra and Siliguri is 13 km. You can find out various vehicles to come in Siliguri, or directly manage a private car to reach at Chalsa.
Accommodation
A numbers of good hotel and lodge are available in and around Chalsa. One of the best hotel at Chalsa is The Sinclair's Retreat, located on a hummock. And also you can get budged hotels in various range with a comfortable accommodation and mills.