Gorumara National Park
Gorumara National Park complete detail – updated. Geography of Gorumara National Park. Dominant flora and fauna of Gorumara National Park. How to Reach Gorumara National Park. Gorumara Park located on the bank of rivers Murti and Raidak has vegetation of riverine grasslands interspersed with savannah woodlands. Much of this forest is moist deciduous and sal is the most common and valuable tree. Teak, Simul, Siris, Khair are also found here. The park is breathtaking with its rivers and mountain ranges.
The park has been declared as the best among the protected areas in India by the MOEF (Ministry of Environment and Forest) for the year 2009. The park is home to many species flora and fauna. The vegetation here is so thick that sunlight barely reaches down to the forest floor and there are times when it is impossible to see through the thicket……………
Total area of the park is 79.45 Km2. It was established as a National Park in the year of 1992. The park is home to mammal species like One horned rhinoceros, Indian Elephant, Indian Bison, leopard, Deer, Sambar, Monkeys etc. The National park has now become a prime tourist attraction due to the magnificent forests, breathtakingly beautiful landscapes and the presence of the Indian Rhinoceros.
National park is an area which is strictly reserved for the betterment of the wildlife & biodiversity, and where activities like developmental, forestry, poaching, hunting and grazing on cultivation are not permitted. Their boundaries are well marked and circumscribed.
Gorumara National Park is a beautiful place, located in the Jalpaiguri district of the state of West Bengal. The park is situated in the Terai region of the Himalayan foothills. It is primarily known for its population of Great Indian One horned Rhinoceros.
It was established as a National Park in the year of 1992. Total area of the park is 79.45 Km2. Gorumara Park located on the bank of rivers Murti and Raidak has vegetation of riverine grasslands interspersed with savannah woodlands.
The park has been declared as the best among the protected areas in India by the MOEF (Ministry of Environment and Forest) for the year 2009.
The park is home to many species flora and fauna. The vegetation here is so thick that sunlight barely reaches down to the forest floor and there are times when it is impossible to see through the thicket.
The park is home to mammal species like One horned rhinoceros, Indian Elephant, Indian Bison, leopard, Deer, Sambar, Monkeys etc.
The park also provide suitable habitat to bird species Indian pied hornbill, Woodpeckers, Sunbird, fly catcher, Minivet, Drongo, Brahminy duck, Pheasants and many more migratory birds.
Lataguri a small town adjacent to the park is the entry point. There are watch towers for viewing the animals inside the park.
They are Jatraprasad Watch tower (named in memory of a legendary elephant of that name), Rhino observation point in front of the Gorumara forest bungalow, Old Khunia Watch Tower near the Murti forest bungalow and Suksukia Bird watching Point.
Rhino observation point is the best place to observe wild animals like rhino, elephant, bison and deer as they regularly come to the salt reservoir just below the tower.
The National park has now become a prime tourist attraction due to the magnificent forests, breathtakingly beautiful landscapes and the presence of the Indian Rhinoceros.
History
Since 1895 it was a Reserve Forest. Bungalow of Park Forest dates to old British Raj period, & has a quite preserved register book from its beginning, which creates for attractive reading.
Nevertheless Gorumara is surrounded by several ethnic villages. More than 10,000 resident forest villagers derive their income from sources including employment in forest department activities, ecotourism, etc. Some of the villages are Sarswati, Budhuram, Bichabhanga, Chatua, Kailipur and Murti Forest Village.
It was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in the year of 1949. Gorumara was declared a National Park in the year of 1992. Total area of the park is 79.45 Km2.
This area has undulating forests & riverine grasslands, & is famous as the Dooars in West Bengal. Gorumara National Park is situated on the flood plains of the River Murti & River Raidak. The main river of the Gorumara National Park is the river Jaldhaka, a branch of the river Brahmaputra scheme.
Geography
Gorumara National Park is located in the Jalpaiguri district of the state of West Bengal. The park is situated in the Terai region of the Himalayan foothills.
Gorumara Park located on the bank of rivers Murti and Raidak has vegetation of riverine grasslands interspersed with savannah woodlands.
The vegetation here is so thick that sunlight barely reaches down to the forest floor and there are times when it is impossible to see through the thicket.
Much of this forest is moist deciduous and sal is the most common and valuable tree. Teak, Simul, Siris, Khair are also found here. The park is breathtaking with its rivers and mountain ranges.
The arid deciduous jungle terrain mix together with grasslands, docks one of biggest variety of jumbo fauna in West Bengal.
The major river of the park is the Jaldhaka River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra river system. In this regard, Gorumara is a significant watershed area between the Ganges and Brahmaputra river systems. The park is very close to Jaldapara National Park and Chapramari Wildlife Reserve.
Dominant flora
Sal, Bamboo, Teak, Simul, Siris, Khair, and Savanna grass etc.
The vegetation here is so thick that sunlight barely reaches down to the forest floor and there are times when it is impossible to see through the thicket.
Dominant fauna
Mammals – Indian rhinoceros, Gaur, Sloth bear, Deer, Sambar, Asian elephant, Wild boar, Hog deer, Barking deer, Leopard, Tiger, Indian wild dogs, Indian wolves, Giant squirrels, Pygmy Hog, Hispid Hare etc.
Birds – Scarlet Minivet, Sunbird, Asian paradise flycatchers, Spangled drongo, Indian hornbill, Woodpeckers, Pheasants, Peafowls, Brahminy duck etc.
Reptiles – Indian python, Indian cobra, King cobra, Lizards etc.
Other Attractions
Ethnic Forest Village Tourism
Nature Interpretation Centre
Jatraprasad Watch Tower
Rhino Observation Point
Chandrachur Watch Tower
Chukchuki Bird-watching Point
Best Time to Visit
The best time of the year to visit the Gorumara National Park is between the months of October to May. The park remains closed from 16th June to 15th September.
Communication
By Air – Nearest airport is Bagdogra airport, about 80 Km from the Gorumara National Park. Bagdogra airport is well connected by road network to Gorumara National Park.
By Rail – Nearest railway station is New Maynaguri railway station, about 20 Km from the Gorumara National Park. New Maynaguri railway station is well connected by road network to Gorumara National Park.
By Road – Gorumara National Park is well connected to Major Cities and Places by road network. There are a number of government and privately operated vehicles that go to Gorumara National Park at frequent intervals. National Highway 31 which connects Siliguri and Guwahati passes through Lataguri.
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