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About Buxa Tiger Reserve
Onc e
famous for dolomite mining, Buxa was declared a tiger reserve in 1983
and got the status of National park in 1992. Located in the
Assam-Bhutan border, Buxa has an area of 745 sq km, the largest in
North Bengal and has the second highest tiger population in West
Bengal after Sunderbans. Apart from that, the park holds maximum
number of elephant, Indian bison, leopard, many species of deer and
many smaller mammals, innumerable species of birds and reptiles. Buxa
is rich with bio-diversity and has a great collection of rare orchids
and medicinal plants. Because of inaccessible terrain, some parts of
Buxa hills in the Sinchula range are still unexplored.
Buxa is one of the oldest settlements in North Bengal. It is 24kms
from
Alipurduar and 180 kms from Siliguri, well connected by both motorable
road and railways. Several trek routes originate from Buxa. Most
popular trek starts from Santrabari (914ft) to Buxaduar A 5kms trek
through the dense forested hills leads to Buxaduar Forest Bungalow.
Accommodation is available here for the trekkers. Another 4 kms trek
through the forest track leads to the Rover's Point-the land of
unknown birds (4500ft). It is difficult to ignore the lure of Rupam
Valley in Bhutan, another 12 kms f rom
there. The journey through the entire region is full of unknown
adventure and excitements and gives some breathtaking views of Jayanti
River Valley far below, ever green forest canopy and glimpse of rare
animals, flight of birds and colourful orchids.
Buxaduar to Jayanti is another popular trek in the region. This 13 kms
trek
passes through the dense forest of Buxa Tiger Reserve. The music of
wilderness, the chirping of unknown birds, the song of wild streams,
the fragrance of nature will never allow you to feel the least stress
of a long
journey. The journey ends with a warm reception of an old staggering
priest at the stalactite cave of ayanti, popularly known as the
Mahakal cave. It is difficult to enter into the narrow, dark, damp
cave but trying the same may be another precious adventure. The
downhill trek from here leads to Jayanti Forest Bungalow. Lying by the
riverside and surrounded by century old Sal forests and hills-Jayanti
is a place to stretch your weary legs as the cool breeze brushes away
all the exhaustions.
Rajabhatkhawa is only 12 kms from Jayanti and approachable by both
road and rail form Siliguri (153kms) and Alipurduar (17 kms). It is an
ideal place for the wild life lovers. Rajabhatkhawa has a watchtower
deep inside the forest that gives the best opportunity to view
elephant, bison and even tiger. The Nature Interpretation Center at
Rajabhatkhawa is another
attraction. Accommodation is available in forest rest house and in a
private rest house |
