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About Neora Valley
National Park
T he
Neora Valley National Park, spread over an area of 88sq.km. in the
Darjeeling district of West Bengal was established in April 1986. The
park, a unique area of rich bio-diversity lies in the Himalayan
foothills and is bordered on the east by Western Bhutan and the
forests of
Sikkim.
Neora Valley, one of the least tracts of virgin wilderness in the
country sustains a unique eco-system where tropical, sub-tropical,
sub-temperate, and temperate vegetative system still harbours a wealth
of flora and fauna. The forests consists of mixed species like
rhododendron, bamboo, oak, ferns, sal etc. The Valley also has
numerous species of orchids.
The fauna consist of such endangered species as the clouded leopard,
red-panda, and musk deer. Other species are leopard, five species of
civet, black bear, sloth bear, golden gat, wild boar, leopard cat,
goral, serow, barking deer, sambar, Himalayan flying squirrel and thar.
The park rich in bird life houses the bearded vulture, Himalayan
griffon, red legged falcon, pigeons, doves, great pied hornbill and a
large number of migratory birds like whistling thrush etc. King cobra,
common cobra krait, green pit viper, blind snake and lizards are also
found. Many colourful insects such as butterflies, moths, beetles,
bees, wasps, bugs cicadas are added attraction of the valley.
The main entry point to the park is Lava (7016 ft), a small village
adjacent to the park. There is a nature interpretation centre here.
The other entry point is Samsing (3000 ft). There is no motorable road
inside the park. Visitors should take an entry permit from the park
authorities in Lava or Samsing.
Accommodation:
Forest bungalows at Lava (32 km from the nearest town Kalimpong) and
at Samsing ( 18km from Chalsa) are available for stay. Tented
accommodation is available in the forest resort at Suntale Khola from
where there is a trek to Neora valley.
How to
get there:
Air : Nearest Airport is Bagdogra (100km)
Rail : Nearest railhead is Darjeeling ( 30km. )
Road : There are buses available from Siliguri to Kalimpong
(100km) which is 32km away from the entry point Lava. Another route is
from Siliguri - Chalsa (65km) - Samsing (18km). The park can be
reached by road from Samsing |
