Buxar Tiger Reserve (Jalpaiguri)

Season : November to April
Location : Jalpaiguri Place: Alipurduar Court, Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal
Nearest Town : Alipurduar Court
Best time to visit : October to April

The varitable flora and fauna of these wet forests having an annual downpour exceeding 5000 mm, attracts tourists and nature lovers every year. This part of the country is characterised by its high degree of plant & animal bio-diversity where 60% species are endemic to the area. The Generic diversity of mammals is second highest among all the tiger reserves of India.

Astonishing bio-diversity of animals comprise of a reach avifauna of more than 230 identified species, 67 mammals (out of which 21 are endangered), 36 species of reptiles (10 numbers are endangered).

Apart from Bengal Tiger the flagship species, there are plenty of Leopard, Fishing Cat, Leopard Cat, Jungle Cat, Indian Civet, Palm Civet, Wild Dogs, Malayan Gaint Squirrels, Mangooses, Asian Elephant, Gaur, Small Clawes Otter, Chital, Sambar, Barking Deer, Hog Deer, Wild Buffalo, 3 varieties of Pythons, Monitor Lizard and a host of land tortoises. A number of animals like Chinese Pangolin. Regal Python (reticulate) Clouded Leopard are endemic to the region.

The headquarters Alipurduar court is a few km away from the tiger reserve. The two main entry points are Buxa (24km) and Jayanti (30 Km). Buxa (2600ft) is a two hour trek through picturesque surroundings from Santlabari, the starting point. The Buxa Duar fort here was used as a prison by the British, because of its remoteness. Many freedom fighters were imprisoned here.

After independence, it served as a refugee camp for Tibetans and Bangladeshis. There is a 4km further trek to Rovers Point (the land of unknown birds at 4500ft) or a 14km trek to Roopam Valley in Bhutan from Bhutan. From Buxa, one can also take the 13km trek to Jayanti through the beautiful jungle preferably with a guide. There is a stalactite cave, popularly known as the Mahakal cave at Jayanti. Another entry point Rajabhatkhawa (17km from Alipurduar) has an orchidarium, animal rescue centre and a nature interpretation centre.

How to reach there
Rail : Nearest rail Junction is New Jalpaiguri in North Bengal and the nearest station is New Alipurduar station which has direct connections to Kolkata. Kanchenjunga, Kamrup and Saraighat Express's etc are some of the trains.

Road : The headquarters of the park, Alipurduar is located 175 kms from Siliguri, West Bengal. NH 31 is the main highway. There are two buses to the entry point Jayanti ( 30km) via Buxa from Alipurduar. One has to get down at Santlabari for the trek to Buxa. One can also hire cars from Alipurduar to reach these entry points. Rajabhatkhawa is 12km from Jayanthi.