ABOVE: The J!"#!$!%! NP | W&'( B&)*!

"
one-horned
Indian rhinoceros
is the most famous
resident of Jaldapara
Wildlife Sanctuary
A!er Sunderbans, Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary
is the most visited wildlife destination in West
Bengal. The sanctuary was established in 1941
for the protection of the one-horned Indian
rhinoceros. It is also one of the few remaining
places in India where the critically-endangered
Bengal florican or the Bengal bustard
(Houbaropsis bengalensis) can be sighted.

The 216 sq km area of Jaldapara is a mosaic

of dense forests, extensive belts of elephant
grass (o!en reaching a height of 2-3 m),
perennial streams and sandy river banks. The
entire area is criss-crossed with numerous
fast-flowing streams and rivulets like
Malangi, Chira Khawa and Hollong.

At a glance
District: Jalpaiguri
Distance: Siliguri (141 kms)
Nearest Airport: Bagdogra
Nearest Railhead: Madarihat RS
(75 kms) connected to Siliguri by
daily Inter-City Express
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Closed from: 15 June-15 Sep
Best time to visit: Oct-Feb
...............................................
Entry fee: Rs 100 (Indians);
Rs 150 (Foreigners)
Jeep Safari: Rs 1,600 for 6 people
(incl guide fee)
Elephant Safari: Rs 500 (Indians);
Rs 750 (Foreigners)
Camera fee: Rs 50
Major fauna: One-horned
rhinoceros, Bengal tiger,
elephant, sambar, wild pig
....................................................
Where to stay: Jaldapara Tourist
Lodge, Hollong Tourist Lodge,
private accomodation
...................................................
Contact: West Bengal Tourist
Department (033) 22488271,
22437260; West Bengal Forest
Dev Corp (033) 22370060

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