 Neora
Valley – A nature lover’s paradise
Neora valley is a National Park situated
in the Kalimpong subdivision of West Bengal. The park covers
an area of 88 sq. kms, and is located close to the tourist destination
of Lava. Neora Valley shares its border with Western Bhutan
and the forests of Sikkim. It was established in 1986 as a National
Park and derives its name from the Neora River running through
the forest. A large network of streams and torrents is spread
across the park sustaining a large variety of luxuriant vegetation,
mammals, birds and reptiles. The forest nurtures many species
of vegetation like wild strawberries, wild white orchids, primulas,
yews, hemlocks and about 10 different species of rhododendrons.
 Before
you embark upon a trek to Neora Valley, you reach the small
picturesque hamlet of Lava. Here you can visit the nature interpretation
park to get first hand information of the bio-diversity in the
region, and as an added bonus, you also get to see the Buddhist
Monastery in Lava. The Neora Valley National Park has two entry
points: one is from Lava and the other from Samsing. You can
customize your tour according to your liking after consulting
with naturebeyond members. The trek route through Lava starts
from Zero Point which is about 25 kms from Lava through motorable
road bounded by dense forests. From here no vehicles can go
further, and thus, the trek begins.
The trek from Zero point to Samsing within
the Neora Valley National Park is a sensual and visual delight
for the discerning trekker. To list the variety of flora and
fauna inhabiting this park is like trying to catalog the books
in the Library of Congress – the largest library in the world.
It contains an incredible variety of bio-diversity that few
national parks in the world can boast about. It is also inhabited
by the endangered Red Panda and the rare Black Asiatic Bear.
 Don’t
be surprised to see the red-headed bullfinch bird trying to
get your attention – this bird is not camera shy and you might
even be able to get a close up shot of this beautiful bird.
Or, don’t get startled if you hear the wailing sound of an ambulance
siren – there are no casualties; it is just the calls of a male
satyr tragopan. These birds only inhabit the mountainous regions
and are found in great numbers here, especially, near the Alubari
camp. Also, the Goral Deer and the Barking Deer will make regular
appearance throughout the trail for your pleasure. However,
our endangered friend, the Red Panda, is a rare sight to see
because they are generally very shy creatures. If you get a
rare sight of this cute and cuddly creature, you bet, you are
damn lucky.
During summer and spring, the Rechila Top
is covered with a magical carpet of red made by flowers shed
from the trees, and different types of rhododendrons – red,
pink and white – can be seen. The Neora Valley National Park
is home to around 200 species of birds which includes the bearded
vulture, the Himalayan griffon, the red-legged falcon, the great
pied hornbill, the khalij pheasant, Jerdon’s baza, different
species of cuckoos and more. Apart from the Red Panda and the
Asiatic Black Bear, the park boasts a large population of wild
boars, leopard cats, gorals, serows, barking deers, Himalayan
flying squirrels, clouded leopards and tigers etc.
Reptiles like King Cobra, common cobra krait, green pit viper,
blind snake and lizards are also found in this forest apart
from insects like several species of butterflies, moths, beetles,
bees, wasps and bugs cicadas.
 You
can also enjoy the pleasure of camping at the riverside among
large rocks near the river in Alubari. You will have ample opportunities
here to watch birds like khalij pheasants, laughing thrush and
chestnut-bellied tesia in the area. Don’t forget to visit the
feeding place of the Asiatic Black Bear among the oak trees
there.
As you reach Rechila Top, you will be offered
with a magnificent view of the Kangchendzonga Range and the
valley of Bhutan on the other side. Finally, it wouldn’t be
inappropriate to state that the Neora Valley trek is a bird
watching tour, leisure tour, adventure tour and a wilderness
tour all packed into one. It is no doubt a dream trek for nature
lovers.
Neora Valley is a National
Park and permission from forest department is compulsory for
entry inside the park. Visitors are advised not to enter the
forest without proper permission. naturebeyond conducts treks
to Neora Valley after obtaining necessary permissions.
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