Chilapata Forests

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Chilapata Forest
forest
Chilapata Forest
Coordinates: 26°33′02″N 89°22′47″E / 26.550556°N 89.379722°E / 26.550556; 89.379722
Country  India
State West Bengal
District Jalpaiguri

The Chilapata Forest is a dense forest near Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary in Dooars, Jalpaiguri District. It is about 20 km from Alipurduar, and just a few minutes away from Hasimara town. Until recently, the area was known for dacoity (banditry), but it is now safe for tourists.

Ecology

Indian Leopard

The forest forms an elephant corridor between Jaldapara and the Buxa Tiger Reserve,[1] and is rich in wildlife. New species continue to be found.[2] The forest used to be home to large Rhinoceros populations. In hunting expeditions in 1892-1904, in and around Chilapata Forest, the Maharajah of Cooch Behar recorded killing one rhino, injury of one, and sighting of over 14.[3] Rhinos now extremely rare. Leopards are still common.[4]

It is hoped that eco-tourism will provide a new source of income for the indigenous Rabha people, who now depend on the forest mainly for firewood.[5]

Tourism

The West Bengal Forest Development Corporation (WBFDC) runs an eco-tourism resort at Kodalbasti, providing basic accommodation.

Nalraja Garh

One of the main attractions is the ruined "Nalraja Garh", or fort of the Nal kings, built in the Gupta period in the fifth century C.E., the Golden Age of India. Although poorly maintained, the site has considerable archaeological interest. Other activities include Tonga rides through Mathura tea garden, boating on the Bania river and angling on the confluence of the Kalchini, Bania and Buri Basra.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Wildlife Times: Elephants of North Bengal
  2. ↑ The Telegraph June 7, 2008: From Paris on frog study tour
  3. ↑ Rhino Resource Center: Population history of rhinoceros in North Bengal
  4. ↑ Trek Earth: LEOPARD OF THE DOOARS
  5. ↑ Contested Belonging: An Indigenous People's Struggle for Forest and Identity in Sub-Himalayan Bengal by B. G. Karlsson, 2000 ISBN 0-7007-1179-1, ISBN 978-0-7007-1179-6
  6. ↑ The Telegraph April 16, 2008: Wild call for Dooars visitors

External links

External video
Holiday at Chilapata
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