Wilderness

Gorumara National Park

Yesterday on our drive from Siliguri, the entire way to our destination was through picturesque landscapes of tea gardens and hills. Like floating on the wings we reached our final destination Lataguri. The tiny locality of Dooars is adjacent to the Gorumara National Park and the permits of entry into the forests had to be obtained from Lataguri. It was refreshing for eyes surrounded by rustic green and we were in the kingdom of wilderness where the wild animals very often raid the human habitations. I was impatient for my jungle safari of next morning.

Journey through the greens of Gorumara

It was a soothing morning in the Gorumara National Park; the tropical rain forest appeared a bit reluctant to efface its curtain of mist. Keeping the wild greens on both sides our pursuit began on a hoodless jeep accompanying with safari guide. Slowly with a fascinating Sun up, entire jungle was again enlivened with the chirpy note of different birds. It was screaming peacocks welcomed us as we made an entry into the territory of the sanctuary. Agile eyes of the guide were fast shifting on different directions to spot the wild animals and he spotted very often huge peacocks sitting on trees near and afar. The safari jeep stopped at a point from where the forest guide pointed his hand towards a marshland in the forest in our left and began avidly observing the movement of herons. We patiently waited staring towards the direction with our eyes forgot to blink. After a while a herd of Indian bisons or Gaur displaying their heavily toned muscles, appeared with calves, and forwarded calmly on grazing in the meadow. Rest of the safari sometime it was a glimpse of jungle fowl before our jeep; sometime the barking deer stared at us behind the camouflage of greens, sometime the silhouette of flight of birds and huge footmarks of a lone elephant amused us on our journey through the woods.

Peacock at the Gorumara National Park

I knew the time will come to end and we will mingle again with the urban crowd in the sanctuary of concretes but, the memories of visit will definitely remain evergreen and I will ever recognize the freshness of the morning that rejuvenated me thoroughly.

A Gateway to Dooars

The coronation bridge/Sevoke bridge

Sevoke Bridge is a prominent landmark and can also be considered as a gateway to the Hills and Dooars. Just 27-Kms away from Siliguri town it is standing like an invincible warrior that shoulders the route to Dooars, on river Teesta. The famous landmark of this region is also commonly known as Bagh Pool or Tiger Bridge. A memento of British India the symbol of revere was erected on river Teesta to commemorate the occasion of Royal coronation in 1937 in the picturesque landscape of mountains and river. The bridge has been nicely mingled with the surrounding, is not only an engineering marvel that connects two mountains, also a distinct crossroad connecting the Hills and the Dooars with Siliguri. The road from Siliguri town to Sevoke Bridge, pass through a stretch of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary having a fair number of wild animals.

The attractive landscape from  Sevoke bridge

The beauty of Coronation Bridge is its simplicity in design; the cantilevered structure on the Teesta River has added more beauty to the landscape without obstructing the view. It is also a popular picnic spot in the vicinity of scenic landscape and a holiday destination to stretch out in the eternal beauty of nature or to fathom out the gushing flow of Teesta under its deep blue colour. A place to admire the seizing blue colour of Teesta at Sunset, that look differently new in different seasons.

View of the landscape from Sevoke Bridge

Surrounded by the protective care of nature it was estimated that the bridge would serve for a life span of hundred years, even at the edge of century, still relentless towards its duties. The huge bridge that enhances the grandeur of the landscape in its presence and as a reminder of British rule in India is worthy to be titled “Gateway of Dooars” as a mark of our concern towards our Historic landmarks.

Jungle safari with the man in his Olive uniform

The guide was waiting for us at the entry point, after making all the formalities our Safari Jeep entered into the forest. I heard that the wild elephants were raiding in search of food in the nearby villages almost daily. It was really thrilling as I was not in a mood to return without sighting the wild animals, requested him to ensure my elephant sighting in the forest or in the village nearby where the elephants are going to raid.The guide in olive uniform smiled at me and assured me that sighting of elephant will surely be made.Though the sight of wild animals in the forests depends fully on the luck.

Wild elephant of Chilapa forest

We entered in the Chilapata forest, the beauty of the forest were very appealing, with envious density of trees. Chilapata forest is a corridor used by the wild elephants between Buxa Tiger reserve and Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary. As in this case my vision was getting restricted and could not look far through, and I was searching the wild elephant in the thick forest, suddenly the Jeep stopped and the guide pointed at a herd of elephants with calves. I got very impatient for a close look but, the man in his olive uniform forbade, the herd were having their calves and they remain very sensitive and do not like anybody in their close proximity. The calves in some cases reach closer to the tourists, unaware of the consequence if anybody even tries to get closer to the baby elephant that will result a serious anger to the elders of the herd. I was so occupied by the fact that, the thing for which I was ready to venture in the village of the locality got encountered so early within fifteen minutes of our entry into the forest. Kept watching at the herd, till they vanished into the dense forest.

The Gaur,Chilapata forest

I was a little absent minded and it was very charming for me to think about the encounter with elephants. Suddenly heard whisper between the driver and our guide and the Jeep was taken back. The man in olive uniform, in his habitual sight spotted a herd of Indian Bisons or Gaur. Huge in size with oily skin. Pointed my camera and through its eyepiece I saw, behind the camouflage of thick bushes a Bison was looking straight to me. The guide told that the skins of the Bisons always look oily and in no occasions even slight mud can be discovered on their skin. Always ready to charge, if they smell danger.

inside the forest,Chilapata forest

During the rainy season i.e. during 16-th June to 15-th September every year the forest is kept closed for the tourists, because it is the breeding season of animals, the grass inside the forest grow so fast, making it difficult for the drivers to drive their Jeep on the right track and that time visibility in the forest remains very poor. Our Jeep stopped at a point, my eyes wandered around with surprise; it resembled the spots we saw in films on wildlife. The placid climate of the surrounding would definitely attract the wildlife lovers.

Nol Rajar garh,Chilapata forest

As the Jeep started again, for the next destination of the Nol Raja-r Garh. The fort of King Nol. The garh or fort made of thin bricks like sliced breads, excavations revealed that some 2000 years ago during the Gupta age, the fort was used to keep King`s soldiers. The entry gate was 12-ft high when it was constructed. Now merely a few feet have remained to be sunk in the earth. It was amazing that, a fort was built so many years before, in such a dense forest with lots of ferocious wild animals around, where even the sound of falling leaves could be heard. The guide did not encourage staying inside the fort gate. Another thing the guide made us notice, the tree called “Raamgua” the tree that bleeds, he said a sticky blood like fluid comes out of this tree if it`s bark is poked with sharp edges. Grove of such trees existed earlier, now they are remaining in numbers. Several efforts to grow these trees in other places have failed, as it did not survive and can be found in Chilapata only.

Shankari:A kunki to be,Chilapata forest

Many tamed elephants or Kunki can be sighted, we saw a calf with the legs tied in ropes “Shankari”, was busy eating the grass. One day she might also be serving as a Kunki.

Kingfisher at Chilapata forest

We were heading towards the bank of Torsa River the watch tower for viewing the animals. The small stream of water which is Torsa gets flooded during the rainy season. Saw a peacock, jungle fowl, varieties of Kingfishers, and last of all saw the one horned Rhinoceros, flanked by her calf, was roaming in the elephant grass. The Sun was setting down. We started leaving the forest, through the village of “Rabha”, probably migratory tribe from the neighboring state ,mainly dependent on the forest. The Jeep again stopped, it was a herd of elephants again; they were emitting sound, like whispers. The driver took the Jeep back; it was a huge tusker looking at us silently, behind a tree. I felt a flow of electric current through my body; we were within its reach. I could not understand how it came so close. The driver made no delay to start the Jeep.

Our guide:the man in olive uniform

It was more than a productive tour in the forest. The day`s experience, the sight of animals throughout the day I got, was really wonderful. When the guide in olive uniform got down from the Jeep, it was the end of forest. He waved his hand “come again.”


How to reach: Nearest Station is New Alipurduar Junction. There are several trains from Kolkata. Teesta -Torsah Express from Sealdah or Kamrup Express from Howrah can be availed for New Alipurduar Junction, intercity express and many other trains from New Jalpaiguri station also available for New Alipurduar Junction, from there a car can be hired to the jungle camps. Jeeps for safari can be arranged from the tourist lodge and very recently the forest department has initiated safari on bullock cart. West Bengal tourism and West Bengal Forest Development Corporation provides accommodation, rooms can be booked online.
For other alternate options the relevant websites of different tour operators can also be checked.  Best time to visit: Except the monsoon, and better to visit the forest when length of the day is greater.