Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary
Entrance to Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary
The picturesque beauty of this relatively small Wildlife Sanctuary is captivating. With the rivers Murti and Jaldhaka flowing along its sides, the place has become a favourite haunt for nature and wildlife lovers. The name Chapramari seems to have been taken from the term“chapra” which is a variety of fish and “mari” meaning abundant. Thus, though the place is primarily known for its large population of Indian elephants, it has a diverse variety of flora and fauna to enthrall visitors.
Flora and Fauna in Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary
Wildlife in Chapramari Forest (Source: flickr)
Watch Tower in the Sanctuary - Chapramari has a single watch tower in front of its glade or open space from where you can get a bird’e eye view of the entire area. Mega herbivores like the gaur (bison) or the elephant is quite common here.
A large part of the Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary is covered with deciduous trees like sal, siris, teak and shishu. It also houses a rich variety of orchids of the genus names Chiloschista, Acampo, Bulbophyllum, Cymbidium, Eria, Dendrobium, Luisia, Gastrochilus and Oberonia. These elegant orchids bloom through different months and are a treat for the eyes.
Best Time to Visit Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary
Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary stays closed during the rainy season from mid-July to mid- September. So the best months to visit the region would be between October to April.Travelling to Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary
Road connectivity in the Dooars region is excellent. Chapramari can be reached in two hours if you are travelling from Siliguri, one of the most pivotal travelling points in North Bengal. However if you have a love for adventure, you can access it from Jalpaiguri where one has to pass through dense forests of the Batabari range along the way.Malbazar Railway Station is the nearest railway junction where an intercity express and a training which connects Kolkata stops. New Jalpaiguri is of course the important station and is situated about 70 km from Chapramari. You can avail private cars or cab from here and drive to the sanctuary is about one and a half hours.
Bagdogra is the nearest airport and about 14 km from Siliguri in West Bengal.
Accommodation near Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary
Aranyak Ca-Cur-Badi Resort near Chapramari
The WBFDC Panjhora Camp is the best option to stay in Chapramari. The Forest Inspection Bungalow has 2rooms to accommodate 4 people while there are 4 cottages in the Wilderness Camp to house 8 people. To stay in the Chapramari Inspection Bungalow as well as the Wilderness Camp, you will have to contact: The Divisional Forest Officer, Wildlife Division – II, “Aranya Bhawan”, Jalpaiguri – 735101, Phone + Fax : 03561-220017.
There are accommodation options in W.B.F.D.C Resorts in Murti near Lataguri. Situated along the banks of the Murti River it has both double bedded rooms and dormitory to accommodate visitors.
You can also avail the private resorts near Chapramari and Gorumara National Park such as the Aranyak Ca-Cur-Badi Resort located in Dhupjhora. It has beautiful jungle lodges and eco cottages for tourists and organizes forest tours outside the resort. Some of the facilities offered here include a multi-cuisine restaurant, air conditioner in rooms, generator back up, LCD T.V., car parking, a huge banquet hall, telephone and intercom, security, doctor on call and many others.
So enjoy your stay in Jalpaiguri amidst its charming natural surroundings and watch the extraordinary beauty of its wildlife glide by you!