Chilapata Forests Explained

Official Name:Chilapata Forest
Type:forest
Coordinates:26.5506°N 89.3797°W
Pushpin Map:India West Bengal#India
Pushpin Label Position:left
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: India
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:West Bengal
Subdivision Type2:District

The Chilapata Forest is a dense forest near Jaldapara National Park in Dooars, Alipurduar district, West Bengal, India. It is about 40 km from Alipurduar, and just a few minutes away from Hasimara town.

Ecology

The forest forms an elephant corridor between Jaldapara National Park and the Buxa Tiger Reserve,[1] and is rich in wildlife. New species continue to be found.[2] The forest used to be home to large Rhinoceros populations. In hunting expeditions in 1892-1904, in and around Chilapata Forest, the Maharajah of Cooch Behar recorded killing one rhino, injuring another, and sighting of over 14.[3] Rhinos now are extremely rare. Indian leopards are still common.[4]

It is hoped that eco-tourism will provide a new source of income for the indigenous Rabha people, who now depend on the forest mainly for firewood.[5]

Tourism

West Bengal State Forest Development Agency (WBSFDA) runs an eco-tourism resort at Kodalbasti, providing basic accommodation.

One of the main attractions is the ruined "Nalraja Garh", built by the Kingdom of Bhutan. Although poorly maintained, the site has considerable archaeological interest. Other activities include Tonga rides through Mathura tea garden, boating on the Bania river and angling on the confluence of the Kalchini, Bania and Buri Basra.[6]

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.wildlifetimes.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=332&sid=0306ed815c658b7c0569e8bb15c640e9 Wildlife Times: Elephants of North Bengal
  2. https://web.archive.org/web/20110526003132/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080607/jsp/siliguri/story_9375786.jsp The Telegraph 7 June 2008: From Paris on frog study tour
  3. http://www.rhinoresourcecenter.com/index.php?s=1&act=refs&CODE=note_detail&id=1165244217 Rhino Resource Center: Population history of rhinoceros in North Bengal
  4. http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/India/East/West_Bengal/Dooars/photo374011.htm Trek Earth: LEOPARD OF THE DOOARS
  5. Contested Belonging: An Indigenous People's Struggle for Forest and Identity in Sub-Himalayan Bengal by B. G. Karlsson, 2000,
  6. https://web.archive.org/web/20080420051040/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080416/jsp/siliguri/story_9141755.jsp The Telegraph 16 April 2008: Wild call for Dooars visitors