Chalsa, India

Chalsa (Bengali: চালসা) is a small town situated just on the foot of the Himalayas in the Duars in Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal. This small town is surrounded by hills, tea gardens, rivers and forests. One part of the town is surrounded by Gorumara National Park and other part with Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary. This small town was known as Queen of Duars in British India. Nearby forests are residence of a good collection of elephants and rhinos. It is situated on the way towards Birpara or Alipurduar from Siliguri via Malbazar. It takes around 1.5 hours from Siliguri both on road and railways. It is 60 km from Bagdogra airport.

Geography

Chalsa is located at .^[1] It has an average elevation of 163 metres (535 feet). It is the headquarters of the Matiali community development block under the Malbazar subdivision of the Jalpaiguri district.^[2]

Transport

Siliguri is the best starting point. Siliguri is connected by air (Bagdogra) from New Delhi, Guwahati, Chennai and Kolkata and by rail (New Jalpaiguri) from Delhi, Guwahati, Kolkata. Siliguri is about 10 hours by road from Kolkata. From Siliguri, Chapramari Sanctuary and Gorumara National Park are an hour and half away. And Chalsa is surrounded by these two forests. Road and rail transport are available choices. The National Highway is in very good condition and driving is comfortable. Chalsa is on the New Jalpaiguri-Alipurduar-Samuktala Road Line.

Tourism

Various resorts and lodges around Gorumara. The Forest department has two bunglows each at Chapramari and Gourmara. There should be prior booking to avail these bunglows. There are also many cottages, resorts all around Garumara national park. They are mainly at Chalsa, Lataguri and Dhupjhora. Book your places to stay prior to arrival.

References