 Gorumara
National Park
Gorumara National Park is located in the Dooars
plains in North Bengal. Famous for its natural population of
the Great Indian one horned Rhinoceros this small forest area
was declared a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1949. Gorumara
comprising 80 km of diverse forests was converted into a National
Park, in the year 1992 for the protection of its flora and fauna.
The park lying on the bank of rivers Murti
in the Himalayan foothills has great natural beauty. Gorumara
park has vegetation of riverine grasslands interspersed with
savannah woodlands. The most common and valuable trees found
here are Teak, Simul, Siris, Khair, Sal etc. The park offers
some breathtaking landscape with its rivers and mountain ranges.
Besides the one horned rhinoceros, other majore
fauna of the park includes Indian Elephant, Indian Bison, leopard,
and different species of deer, turtles, pythons, monkeys along
with more than 200 species of birds. The park is a birdwatcher's
paradise with beautiful birds like Indian pied hornbill, Woodpeckers,
Sunbird, fly catcher, Minivet, Drongo, Pheasants and many more
migratory birds especially in winter. Brahmany duck is a regular
visitor here and the birds can be watched from Cukcukia, a bird
watching point inside the park.
 For
any travel related enquiry, fill
the travel enquiry form.
The forest department has recently built several
watchtowers inside and along the edges of the forests. These
watchtowers are the best places to observe wildlife in their
natural environment. Most important watchers are.
Khunia Watchtower - This watchtower is built recently
inside Khunia forest especially for viewing elephant and Gaur
(Indian Bison).
Jatraprasad Watchtower - Named after the death of a departmental
elephant the Jatraprasad Watchtower is now immensely popular
to the wildlife lovers as it provides the view of a large number
of wildlife as well as a great panorama of the entire park.
 Rhino
Observation Point: The watchtower is situated adjacent to
the forest bungalow inside the park. A very good place for leisurely
watching rhino and elephant as they come to the salt reservoir
just below the tower.
Chukchukia Watchtower: This is basically a bird watchers'
paradise situated at the boarder of the park.
Accessibility: Gorumara can be reached
by car from Siliguri- the gateway of Eastern India. It takes
a 2hrs journey, which traverse a distance of 80kms through Dooars
plains dotted with tea gardens and forests along the lower Himalayan
foothills.
Accommodation in Gorumara: Lataguri
is the nearest township adjacent to Gorumara Park. There are
some privet resorts just on the entrance of the park. These
resorts although not very luxurious but offer very hospitable
and comfortable stay in natural surroundings.
 Silver
Ridge Resort - Lataguri
Panchavati Resort
- Lataguri
Accommodation is also available in Gorumara
inside the sanctuary. The forest department has 2-room bungalow,
Situated inside the dense forest the bungalow provides a great
view of the surrounding forests.
The accommodation is also available at Murti
known as Murti Nature and Wilderness Resort on Lataguri-Nagrakata
road, just 15 Kms from Gorumara.
Naturebeyond provides booking in all these
resorts and bungalows and organizes customize packages in Gorumara
and its surrounding places.
 Total
Area: 79.45 Sq km
District Head quarter: Jalpaiguri
Best time to visit: November to March
Important information:
Because of inadequate accommodation to cater the increasing
rush of tourist in Gorumara an early confirmation is required
to avail the room particularly during April-May and Oct-Nov
period.
The park remains closed from June 15 to September 15. No tourist
activity inside the park is allowed during this period.
|
