Jaldapara

Jaldapara, officially Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary, is a protected area in the Dooars region of West Bengal, India. It lies in the Alipurduar district near the eastern bank of the Torsa River, close to the town of Madarihat and near the border with Bhutan. The sanctuary forms part of the Dooars forest landscape and is adjacent to other protected areas such as Buxa National Park and Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary. It was established in 1941 to conserve riverine forests, grasslands, and the wildlife they support. The sanctuary covers roughly 216 square kilometers.

Flora within Jaldapara is dominated by sal forests with extensive grasslands and riverine belts that provide rich habitat for large herbivores and predators. The area is best known for its population of the Indian rhinoceros, along with Asian elephants, swamp deer (barasingha), gaur, sambar, and various smaller mammals. Birdlife is diverse, including waterfowl, waders, and forest birds that utilize the riverine and grassland mosaics.

Tourism and access are important aspects of Jaldapara. It is a popular destination for wildlife viewing, especially rhinoceros spotting. Visitors typically use jeep safaris and sometimes elephant safaris operated from Madarihat, with designated watchtowers and forest rest houses available at intervals. The best viewing seasons are generally the cooler, drier months from November to February.

Access is via the rail hub of New Jalpaiguri and the Bagdogra Airport, with routes linking to Madarihat and other Dooars towns. As a designated wildlife sanctuary under Indian law, Jaldapara contributes to regional biodiversity conservation and local tourism.