duar

Duar, also spelled Dooars or Duārs, is a geographic term used for the belt of plains and foothills at the base of the eastern Himalayas in northern West Bengal, extending into parts of Assam and Bhutan. The name is commonly explained as meaning "doors" or "gateways" in local languages, reflecting the region’s position as a gateway to Bhutan and the routes into the foothills.

Geography and ecology: The Duars region lies mainly in the northern parts of West Bengal, including Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts, with extensions into adjacent areas of Cooch Behar and into Assam. The landscape combines alluvial plains, river networks, and broad forest belts. It hosts several protected areas, such as Gorumara National Park, Jaldapara National Park, and Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary. The area is known for extensive tea gardens, diverse forests, and wildlife including elephants and rhinoceroses in protected zones.

Economy and culture: Tea production dominates the local economy, complemented by forestry, agriculture, and tourism tied to wildlife reserves and scenic landscapes. The region is home to a diverse mix of communities, including indigenous groups and migrants, whose languages and traditions contribute to the cultural mosaic of the Dooars.

Notes: The term Dooars/duars is sometimes used to refer to the broader Dooars region as a whole, and the area is associated with Dooars Tea, a label for tea produced in this belt.