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Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary
Mahananda Wild Life Sanctuary is
situated in the Darjeeling Wild Life division and can be reached from
Siliguri in 30 minutes. Sukna, the gateway to the sanctuary, is only
13 Km from Siliguri and 28 Km from Bagdogra Airport. The sanctuary
sprawls over 159 Sq. Km of reserve forest and was started as a game
sanctuary in 1955. In 1959 it got the status of a sanctuary mainly to
protect the Indian Bison and Royal Bengal Tiger, which were facing the
threat of extinction.
The forest type in Mahananda WLS varies from riverain forests like
Khayer-Sisoo to dense mixed-wet forest in the higher elevation in 'Latpanchar'
area of Kurseong hills. The variation in altitude and forest types
helps the existence of a large number of species of mammals, birds and
reptiles. The important mammalian species include majestic Royal
Bengal Tiger, gigantic elephants, sturdy Indian bison, timid spotted
and barking deer, many species of lesser cat, Himalayan black bear,
leopard including clouded leopard and many other smaller animals. The
Sanctuary also holds hundreds of feathered species. The exciting list
includes some very endangered species like fairy blue bird, Himalayan
pied hornbill, …etc. Among the others; swallow, swift, thrush,
babbler, warbler, roller, minivet, sunbird can be found in abundance.
The sanctuary is an ideal place for wildlife lovers. Several glades,
hides and watchtowers have been created near natural saltlicks and
streams to invite wild animals. The railway cabin in the abandoned
Gulma Station inside the core area of the sanctuary has been converted
into a watchtower. The tower is located besides the Gulma River and is
an ideal place for wildlife viewing. There are a number of rest houses
in the sanctuary including two in Sukna and arguably the best one in
Latpanchar. An exciting jungle safari in the Sanctuary comprising
Siliguri- Sukna - Golaghat - Gulma- Laltong - Siliguri organised by
naturebeyond can be a real adventurous experience.
Latpanchar: At 4000ft above sea level, Latpanchar is the
highest place in Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. It is 44Kms way from
Siliguri and can be reached by a 13km drive from Kalijhora on the
Siliguri-Gangtok national highway |
