DOOARS/DUARS

Dooars – Dooars / Duars literally means Door to this region i.e. due to its strategic location to Bhutan and the north eastern states of India, it acts as the door. It is the plains in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas which includes major portion the state of West Bengal and Assam in India. This Dooars is covered nearly sixty percent with forest, teeming wildlife, few tribal settlements and Tea Gardens. Dooars is home to many National Parks and Sanctuary namely the Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary, Buxa National Park, Gorumara National Park, Chapramari Wildlife Reserve and Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary in the state of West Bengal. Manas National Park, Pobitora National Park, Kaziranga in the state of Assam is also known as Dooars / Duars. The region constitutes the plains of Darjeeling district, major portion of Jalpaiguri district, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar district in West Bengal and the districts of Dhubri, Kokrajhar, Barpeta, Goalpara and Bongaigaon in Assam. The major river crossing the area includes Brahmaputra and Manas in Assam and Jaldhaka, Murti, Torsha, Sankosh, Dyna, Karatowa, Raidak, etc. In the stretch of Dooars Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, Birpara, Hashimara, Malbazar, Lataguri and Jalpaiguri are some of the well known destinations of West Bengal and Tezpur, Bongaigaon, Goalpara, Barpeta, Dhubri are some of the destinations of Assam. Dooars consist of vast stretches of tea gardens, grassland, river banks, national parks, sanctuary and park. Many a river cut cross the area cutting the Tea gardens and the forest making it the hotspot of the wildlife in the region. With background of the Himalayas in this region, stretches of Tea garden, river banks and wildlife in between populated by bison, elephants, leopards, birds and other animals make it a tourist hotspot. Nature lover and tourist of all ages and class can enjoy stay at Dooars and enjoy some of the available options. It is ideal for leisure holiday makers, for family tourist, honeymoon tour, adventure lover and for nature lover. Wildlife sanctuaries and national park safari / Elephant ride / Visiting Watch Tower are some of the favorite past times of the tourist in this region, other adventure includes birding, angling, hiking, etc. We organizes the stay and visit exclusive of safari (safari are to be booked by guest), visit to watch towers of the park like Jatraprasad Watch Tower, Medhla Tower, Rhino Observation Point, Chandrachur Watch Tower or Chukchuki Bird tower and visit to nearby places of interest, etc are arranged or offered by each company. One can also visit religious site, historical places, tribal villages, wildlife rehabilitation center or similar places of interest. One of the tribes which is gradually coming back from extinction due to the government initiatives is Toto Para and is worth visiting near Jaldapara. Dooars is specially known for the one horn rhinos. Gorumara National Park & Jaldapara has the highest population of rhinos after Kaziranga in Assam. Wildlife includes Asiatic elephant, leopard, deer (hog deer, spotted deer, barking deer), bison, etc. Jhalong, Bindu, Raimatang, Suntaley Khola, Chilapata, Rasikbill, Jayanti, Rajabhatkhawa, Khairbari, etc and many more places populate this area. Small treks, Safari or just religious tour or historical tours are arranged by Locals Company.

Places of Interest

Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary: Jaldapara wildlife sanctuary is a best place for visitors who are animal lover and is situated in jalpaiguri district of the state of west Bengal. It is located along the eastern foothills of the Himalayan Mountain range. The park has distinct varieties of flora and fauna. Some of the animals that are found in the park are one horned rhinoceros, Bengal tigers, sambar deer, and spotted deer, barking deer, wild pig, hog deer and bison. There a many species of birds that are present here as well and these include many varieties of eagles such as crested eagle and fishing eagle. One can also see the Indian hornbill, Bengal florican, jungle fowl, pea fowl and patridges in the park. The park has a significant elephant population as well. Elephant rides are the most important activity in the park and this is extremely popular among the visitors. You can go into the depths of the jungle and it can be a phenomenal experience.
Buxa Tiger Reserve: Buxa Tiger Reserve is located in Alipurduar sub division of jalpaiguri west Bengal. The main attraction of this reserve is the Royal Bengal Tiger. The royal Bengal tiger is what the forests name proclaim to reserve, the elusive tiger is almost impossible to sight. It is the forests, people, nature and history that brings travellers to Buxa. With an area of 759 Sq. Kms the Buxa Tiger Reserve was established in the year of 1982-83 to save one of the most endangered and beautiful animal species, The Royal Bengal Tiger. The park is located at the north eastern corner of Dooars plains of North Bengal bordering Bhutan and Assam. The core area of 315 sq.kms around the Buxa Duar Fort was declared a National Park in January 1992.
Cooch Behar: Cooch Bihar is a district headquarters of the cooch Bihar in the indain state of west Bengal. It is situated in the foothill of the Himalayas. Located at 26°22′N 89°29′E. Cooch Behar is the only planned town in North Bengal region with remnants of royal heritage.

One of the main tourist destinations in West Bengal, it is the location of the Cooch Behar Palace and Madan Mohan Temple, and has been declared a heritage town.

It is the maternal home of Maharani Gayatri Devi.

Bindu: A small picturesque hill village on the Indo-Bhutan border, Bindu is a lesser known tourist destination in the lower Kalimpong foothills.The small town can be used as a base for several short treks in the lower Kalimpong hills. The most popular one starts from Todey to Tangta and leads towards Nerora Valley National Park.The area around is famous for cardamom plantation. Apart from agricultural plantations, intercropping inside forest is also common. The kingdom of Bhutan is just on the other side of Jaldhaka river. There is no restriction for locals to cross boarder and villagers from nearby Bhutanese area can be seen visiting the local market to buy essentials. The principal attraction of the place is its natural beauty. At an altitude of about 800 meters, Bindu is a low altitude hill station. Local people and their culture, forests, river, the Jaldhaka dam nearby makes this place an ideal sojourn for the city dweller.
Jhalong: Jhalong is a small village situated on the banks of river Jaldhaka, near India-Bhutan border in the Kalimpong subdivision of Darjeeling district in West Bengal, India. It is just 99 kilometers from Shiliguri, towards Bindu. A Hydro Electricity Project is constructed on the Jaldhaka River and it acts as a bridge for crossing over to Bhutan.

It is the first hydroelectric project in India and the population developed based on this project. It is a major attraction in this area. Bird lovers can enjoy a varied collection of hill birds includes Kingfisher, Brown Dipper, Redstart, Laughing Thrush as well as migratory water fowl here.

Raimatang: Raimatang is a small river in Western Buxa area in the Dooars area of West Bengal. There is a small village inside the forest known as Raimatang village. The village has gained prominence in tourism in the recent past Raimatang is a forest village. You have to travel through the river bed to reach here. The forest surrounding the village is famous for Elephants among other wild life. During the harvesting season, almost every night elephants come to the village during the night. Tourist facilities are still quite basic. There are 3 / 4 small home stay type accommodation in the village that provide basic food. Some of the accommodations have attached bath, but most places it’s shared.
Rasik Bill: Rasikbil or Rasikbeel is situated at the foothill of Sintura Hill of the great Himalaya in the Coochbehar district of West Bengal. It is basically low water land (Bil or Bill) or swamp, where water may be available all over the year. There are five such a kind of low water land or marshland, namely, Neeldaba, Bochamari, Raichangmari, Shankhadanga and Rasikbil. These attract a lot of birds which make nests in the trees around this area. And a Bird Sanctuary is grown up with 175 hector area. Besides the bill a tribal village is also there.Various kind of local birds are available in and around the Rasikbil all over the year and also some migrant birds are available in winter. The bird variety includes Cormorants, different varieties of storks, ibis, spoonbill, kingfisher, parrots, owl and many others. Famous water birds are Lesser Whistling Teal, Common Teal, White eyed pochard, Red Crested pochard, Shoveler, Pintail, Wigeon duck, Grey headed Lapwing and many more. There are also a dear Park, a python house, a leopard house, Aviary, a tortoise rescue center and a crocodile rehabilitation center. Tourists who loved to watch the local birds and migratory birds, Rasikbil is the real place for them.
Chilapata: Chilapata Forest is a dense natural forest near Jaldapara WLS in Dooars area of West Bengal. It is about 20 kms from Alipurduar town and is within the Jalpaiguri District. A drive through the forests is an enthralling experience. As river Torsa flows down from the hills, it travels through the plains of Dooars dividing a continuous stretch of forest into Jaldapara and Chilapata. Jaldapara has traditionally been a popular destination for tourists for its population of one horned rhino and elephant. Chilapata on the other hand has gained in popularity only in the recent past.
Jayanti: Jayanti is one of the last destinations in Dooars still untouched by mass tourism. Often termed as the “Queen of Dooars,” this heavily forested area is close to the famous Buxa Tiger Reserve known for its tigers, leopards, elephants, deer, peacocks and the historic Buxa Fort. Although the Jayanti River is mostly dry throughout the year, its shores of white pebbles add to the eternal beauty of the place. With the soothing sound of the Jayanti River blending with the chirping of birds, your weekend trip to Jayanti is sure to rejuvenate your tired soul. The way to Buxa Tiger Reserve offers breathtaking views where herd of elephants or spotted deer or peacocks are a common sight. Jayanti is located in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. It is a forest village forming a natural boundary with the Bhutan Hills, some 30 kms from Alipurduar.
Santaleykhola: Santaleykhola is situated at an elevation ranging from 650 meters to 950 meters. A small valley on the in the side of the settlemnt is home to many varities of birds, butterflies. Like Bindu this is also an ideal place for overnight stay. The place is about four kilometers further up the road from Samsing. The road terminates here close to a small stream named Suntaley Khola (`Suntaley` means Orange and `Khola` means Stream). Jhalong, Suntaley Khola, Samsing, Chapramari, Today, Tangtey, Parren are some of the places worth visiting from Bindu and it’s also same when you stay at Parren and visit the rest of the places.
Rocky Island: Rocky Island is another major attraction in Samsing. It is located on the banks of River Murti that is just 2 km away from Samsing.
Toto Para: Totopara name comes from the Toto tribes. The majority people lived in totapara belongs in Toto communities. Some Nepalese are also there but it is very minimum populous. The total area of Totapara is nearly 8 square kilometers, which is located on the fringe of Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the famous wildlife in Dooars and Southern area of the indo-Bhutan borderline.
Bhutan: Bhutan, officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked country in South Asia located at the eastern end of the Himalayas. It is bordered to the north by China and to the south, east and west by India. To the west, it is separated from Nepal by the Indian state of Sikkim, while further south it is separated from Bangladesh by the Indian states of Assam and West Bengal. Bhutan's capital and largest city is Thimphu.
Gorumara National Park: Gorumara National Park is a National Park in northern West Bengal, India. Located in the Terai region of the Himalayan foothills, it is a medium-sized park with grasslands and forests. It is primarily known for its population of Indian Rhinoceros. The park has been declared as the best among the protected areas in India by the Ministry of Environment and Forests for the year 2009.
Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary: Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the oldest Sanctuary in India. It situated in the Nagrakata block of Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal. The Murti River flows by the western boundary of it and the Sanctuary is totally located on the plain land of the Doors. Just 9.6 square kilometers area is bounded in this Sanctuary. It is a very small Sanctuary in India compare with others. The Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary is filled with dense greenery which provides a natural home to the animals and birds living here. With very tall trees and thick bower of greenery, this sanctuary is a wildlife heaven. In 1895, it was declared as Reserve Forest by the British Government. In 1998, it was declared as Wildlife Sanctuary.
Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary: Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary is a very beautiful and crazy forest in North Bengal is located on the foothills of the Himalayas and in between the Teesta and the Mahananda rivers. The Sanctuary name Mahananda comes from the River Mahananda. Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the bank of the river Mahananda in Darjeeling District of West Bengal. It is covered little more than 158 Square Kilometer forest area and in 1958, it was declared as the Sanctuary to protect Royal Bengal Tiger and Gaur (Indian Bison). Both animal are facing the threat of extinction. It is a perfect place for all those who want to enjoy the beauties of Nature far away from the hustle & activity of the city life. With Mahananda River flowing through it the Sanctuary is bounded by Tista River in the East and Hill Cart Road leading to Darjeeling in the West. The sanctuary reaches up to an high elevation at Latpanchar in Kurseong hill. In the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, mainly three seasons are available, Summer, winter and monsoon. In winter, temperature comes below to 3°C where in summer its goes more than 39°C. But the average temperature ranges from 10°C to 30°C. Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary belongs in heavy rainfall zone. Where May to October known as rainy session. Average annual rainfall is 300 cm.
Manas National Park in Assam: Manas National Park or Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is a National Park, UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, a Project Tiger Reserve, an Elephant Reserve and a Biosphere Reserve in Assam, India. Located in the Himalayan foothills, it is contiguous with the Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan. The park is known for its rare and endangered endemic wildlife such as the Assam Roofed Turtle, Hispid Hare, Golden Langur and Pygmy Hog. Manas is famous for its population of the Wild water buffalo.

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Airways - Bagdogra airport (IXB) is the nearest airport linked to the Dooars by road and is two to four hours drive. Places of Dooars are approximately 2 - 4 hours drive from Bagdogra Airport (IXB) or New Jalpaiguri Station. Bagdogra Airport (IXB) is served by regular Indian Airlines, Go Air, Kingfisher, Spice Jet and Jet Airways flights from Kolkata, Guwahati, Chennai and Delhi on regular basis.

Railways – Nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP) and is situated 10 kilometers away from Siliguri and is linked to the Dooars by road and is two to four hours drive. Places of Dooars are approximately 2 - 4 hours ride by train also. NJP is directly connected with all major stations in India. Chalsa, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and Rajabhatkhawa are the other railway station in the region. The frequency of trains is less hence tourist prefers to use Siliguri as the entry point.

Roadways – Dooars is well linked with Siliguri by road. Jaldapara is linked by National Highway Number 31 with Siliguri, Chapramari is 80 kilometers, Buxar is 200 kilometers, Bindu and Jhalong is 105 kilometers from Siliguri and can be reached by car within 2 – 4 hours. Jaldapara / Hollong / Gorumara National Park / Buxa Tiger Reserve are all very close to the National Highway number 31. There are two approach roads one is National Highway number 31 and the other is via Jalpaiguri.

Tags: Dooars-Duars Information, Dooars Tourism, General Information of Dooars, About Dooars, Duars Tour Operator, Duars Travel Operator, Duars Travel Agent, Duars Places of Tourist Interest, Sightseeing in Dooars, Gorumara National Park, Mahananda, Jaldapara

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