Buxa Tiger Reserve

Buxa Tiger Reserve

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.