WILD TRAILS IN INDIA
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Spread over an area of 88 sq
km in Darjeeling district, the
incredibly beautiful Neora
Valley National Park is one of the
richest ecological zones in the
country. Established in 1986, the
park is named a!er river Neora
that runs through it.
Nestled in the valley of the
Kalimpong hills, it is known
for its numerous varieties of
rhododendrons, orchids and
ferns. The parks unique
combination of mixed flora and
climate makes it the habitat
of endangered faunal species
like the red panda, clouded
leopard and musk deer. Other
species that live here include
the leopard, five species of civet,
black bear, sloth bear, golden
cat, wild boar, leopard cat, goral,
At a glance
District: Darjeeling
Distances from Lava: Kalimpong
(32 kms), Darjeeling (81 kms)
Nearest Airport: Bagdogra (119
kms from Lava)
Nearest Railhead: New Jalpaiguri
railway station
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Closed: July-Sep
Can be visited all year round
Permit: From the Forest Dept in
Lava/ Samsing/ Kalimpong
52
serow, barking deer, sambar and
Himalayan flying squirrel, and
Himalayan tahr.
It also has an amazing variety
of bu"erflies, the most a" ractive
among them being Kaiser-i-hind
and Krishna Peacock.
Hathi Danda, at 2,743 m, was a
route for elephant migration till
1940. Today you can trek through
this uphill path and experience
the thrill of identifying the many
dierent wild call.
A trek through the forests of
the park, from Samsing to Bhote
Ghar, Thusum, Rechela, Alubari
and then Lava is both popular
and thrilling. Snow-capped
mountains form the backdrop for
forests of oak, rhododendron,
sal, and dense bamboo groves.
Neora Valley National Park
has two entry points, Lava and
Samsing. Lava, a picturesque
hamlet, has a WBFDC-run
Nature Interpretation Centre
and Buddhist Monastery that are
worth a visit. WBFDC also has a
forest rest house in Samsing.
LEFT: The endearing red panda, a
major highlight of the park
Major fauna: Leopard, red
panda, black bear, sloth bear,
birds, butterflies
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Where to stay: Budget
and moderate range forest
bungalows, rest houses in Lava
and around Lava
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Contact: West Bengal Tourism
office, Darjeeling, Ph (0354)
2254050/ 2254101
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