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Once
famous for dolomite mining, Buxa was declared a tiger
reserve in 1983 and got the status of National park in 1992.
Located in the Assam-Bhutan border, Buxa has an area of 745
sq km, the largest in North Bengal and has the second
highest tiger population in West Bengal after Sunderbans.
Apart from that, the park holds maximum number of elephant,
Indian bison, leopard, many species of deer and many
smaller mammals, innumerable species of birds and reptiles.
Buxa is rich with bio-diversity and has a great collection
of rare orchids and medicinal plants. Because of
inaccessible terrain, some parts of Buxa hills in the
Sinchula range are still unexplored.
Buxa is one of the oldest settlements in North Bengal. It is
24kms from
Alipurduar and 180 kms from Siliguri, well connected by both
motorable road and railways. Several trek routes originate
from Buxa. Most popular trek starts from Santrabari (914ft)
to Buxaduar A 5kms trek through the dense forested hills
leads to Buxaduar Forest Bungalow.
Accommodation is
available here for the trekkers. Another 4 kms trek through
the forest track leads to the Rover's Point-the land of
unknown birds (4500ft). It is difficult to ignore the lure
of Rupam Valley in Bhutan, another 12 kms from there. The
journey through the entire region is full of unknown
adventure and excitements and gives some breathtaking views
of Jayanti River Valley far below, ever green forest canopy
and glimpse of rare animals, flight of birds and colourful
orchids.
Buxaduar to Jayanti is another popular trek in the region.
This 13 kms trek
passes through the dense forest of Buxa Tiger Reserve. The
music of wilderness, the chirping of unknown birds, the song
of wild streams, the fragrance of nature will never allow
you to feel the least stress of a long
journey. The journey ends with a warm reception of an old
staggering priest at the stalactite cave of ayanti,
popularly known as the Mahakal cave. It is difficult to
enter into the narrow, dark, damp cave but trying the same
may be another precious adventure. The downhill trek from
here leads to Jayanti Forest Bungalow. Lying by the
riverside and surrounded by century old Sal forests and
hills-Jayanti is a place to stretch your weary legs as the
cool breeze brushes away all the exhaustions.
Rajabhatkhawa is only 12 kms from Jayanti and approachable
by both road and rail form Siliguri (153kms) and Alipurduar
(17 kms). It is an ideal place for the wild life lovers.
Rajabhatkhawa has a watchtower deep inside the forest that
gives the best opportunity to view elephant, bison and even
tiger. The Nature Interpretation Center at Rajabhatkhawa is
another
attraction. Accommodation is available in forest rest house
and in a private rest house.
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