Neora Valley National Park

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Neora Valley National Park Neora Valley NP Neora Valley NP (India)
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Location:	West Bengal, India
Nearest city:	Kalimpong
Coordinates:	27°00′00″N, 87°44′00″E
Area:	88.0 km²
Established:	1986
Total Visitation:	NA (in 2005)
Governing body:	Government of India, Government of West Bengal

Neora Valley National Park (Bengali: নেওরা ভ্যালি জাতীয় উদ্দ্যান)is situated in the Kalimpong subdivision under Darjeeling District, West Bengal spread over an area of 88 km² established in 1986 is one of the richest biological zones in the entire Northeast. The land of elegant Red Panda in the pristine undisturbed natural habitat with rugged inaccessible hilly terrain and rich diverse flora and fauna together make the park an important wilderness zone.

1 Geography

[edit] Geography

The park is spread over 88 km². The forest in Neora Valley has such a luxurious growth that even sunlight finds it difficult to touch the ground. Much of the park is still inaccessible making it an adventurous place for the nature lovers / trekers who can take the challenge to explore the still-unknown terrain in the Kalimpong hills. Virgin natural forests, dense bamboo groves, colourful canopy of Rhododendron trees, lush green valley, meandering rivers and streams with snowcapped mountains in the backdrop form a picturesque landscape. The park reaches up to an elevation of 10600 ft at Rechela Danda, the highest point of Neora Valley National park, which borders Sikkim and Bhutan. The Neora River, the major water source of Kalimpong town.

[edit] Flora

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.

Protected areas of West Bengal
Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary Sundarban Biosphre Reserve Buxa National Park Neora Valley National Park Singalila National Park Ballabhpur Wildlife Sanctuary Bethuadahari Wildlife Sanctuary Bibhutibhushan Wildlife Sanctuary Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary Gorumara National Park Jore Pokhri Wildlife Sanctuary Narendrapur Wildlife Sanctuary Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary Ramnabagan Wildlife Sanctuary Lothian Island Wildlife Sanctuary Sajnakhali Wildlife Sanctuary Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary

[edit] Fauna

[edit] Mammals

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 cat, wild boar, leopard cat, goral, serow, barking deer, sambar, Himalayan flying squirrel and Thar.

[edit] Birds

Lava and the Neora Valley National Park are birders' paradise, some of India most sought after birds are found here. The semi-evergreen forests between 1600mts and 2700mts is the home of several rarities like Rufous-throated Partridge, Satyr Tragopan, Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Bay Woodpecker, Golden-throated Barbet, Hodgson's Hawk Cuckoo, Lesser Cuckoo, Brown Wood Owl, Ashy Wood Pigeon, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Jerdon's Baza, Black Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Dark-throated Thrush, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, White-gorgeted Flycatcher, White-browed Bush Robin, White-tailed Robin, Yellow-browed Tit, Striated Bulbul, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Black-faced Warbler, Black-faced Laughingthrush, Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, Pygmy Wren Babbler, Rufous-fronted Babbler, Black-headed Shrike Babbler, White-browed Shrike Babbler, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Brown Parrotbill, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Maroon-backed Accentor, Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Red-headed Bullfinch, Gold-naped Finch and many other rarities.

[edit] Others

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.

[edit] Approach

Nearest Town: Lava
Nearest City: Kalimpong
Air : Nearest Airport is Bagdogra (100 km)
Rail : Nearest railhead is Darjeeling ( 30 km.)(narrow gauge), New Jalpaiguri (132 km) (broad gauge)
Road : There are buses available from Siliguri to Kalimpong (100 km) which is 32 km away from the entry point Lava. Another route is from Siliguri - Chalsa (65 km) - Samsing (18 km). The park can be reached by road from Samsing.