Gorumara National Park (Pron: ˌgɔ:rʊˈmɑ:rə; Gorumara Jatio Uddan) is a national park in northern West Bengal, India. It is located in the Dooars region of the Himalayan foothills and has grasslands and forests. The park was established in 1992. It is famous for its population of Indian rhinoceros. In 2009, the Ministry of Environment and Forests named it the best protected area in India. As of March 2021, the park is open to tourists after being closed for months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
History
Gorumara has been a protected area since 1895. In 1949, it became a Wildlife Sanctuary because it is home to a group of Indian rhinoceroses that raise their young there. On January 31, 1992, it was officially named an Indian National Park. At first, the park covered an area of 7 square kilometers. Over time, it expanded by adding nearby areas to cover about 80 square kilometers.
Geography
Gorumara National Park is located in the Malbazar area of Jalpaiguri district, in the state of West Bengal, India.
The park is found in the Eastern Himalayas' submontane Terai belt, a region with rolling forests and riverine grasslands known as the Dooars in West Bengal. It lies on the flood plains of the Murti River and Raidak River. The main river in the park is the Jaldhaka River, which is a tributary of the Brahmaputra River system. Because of this, Gorumara is an important area where water from the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers meet. The park is near Jaldapara National Park and Chapramari Wildlife Reserve.
The park covers an area of 79.99 square kilometers (30.88 square miles).
Temperatures range from 10 to 21 degrees Celsius (50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit) between November and February, 24 to 27 degrees Celsius (75 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit) from March to April, and 27 to 37 degrees Celsius (81 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit) from May to October. Most rainfall occurs between mid-May and mid-October, with an average annual rainfall of 382 centimeters (150 inches).
History
The park forest bungalow was built during the British Raj era and has a well-kept logbook that started when it was first built. This logbook is interesting to read. However, Gorumara is surrounded by many villages with different ethnic backgrounds. More than 10,000 residents in these villages earn money from jobs such as working in the forest department and participating in eco-tourism. Some of the villages include Sarswati, Budhuram, Bichabhanga, Chatua, Kailipur, and Murti Forest Village.
Wildlife
The park is located in the Indomalayan realm. Inside the park, the main ecoregions and their corresponding biomes are:
- Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands, which belong to the tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome
- Lower Gangetic Plains moist deciduous forests, which belong to the tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests biome
These ecoregions are typical of the Bhutan-Nepal-India Terai submontane region.
Common plants in the area include:
- Sal forests with teak, rain tree (Shirish or Albizia saman lebbeck), and Bombax (also called silk cotton tree or Shimul)
- Bamboo groves, terai grassland vegetation, and tropical riverine reeds
Gorumara National Park is home to many tropical orchids.
The park has recorded 50 species of mammals, 194 species of birds, 22 species of reptiles, 7 species of turtles, 27 species of fish, and other large and small animals.
The park has many large herbivores, such as Indian rhinoceros, gaur, Asian elephant, sloth bear, chital, and sambar deer. Small herbivores include barking deer, hog deer, and wild boar. There are fewer large carnivores, with only leopards as the big cat. The park does not have resident populations of Bengal tigers, Indian wild dogs, or Indian wolves. Tigers are sometimes seen in the area. The park has many small carnivores, such as civets, mongooses, and small cats. It has a large population of wild boar, and the critically endangered pygmy hog has been reported there. The park also has many rodents, including giant squirrels. The rare hispid hare has also been reported there.
Birds in Gorumara National Park include submontane forest species like the scarlet minivet, sunbird, Asian paradise flycatcher, spangled drongo, and Indian hornbill. Many woodpeckers and pheasants live in the park. Peafowls are very common. The park is on the migration path of birds such as the rare brahminy duck.
The park is home to many snake species, both venomous and non-venomous, including the Indian python and the king cobra.
Conservation issues
The main goal of the park is to protect a healthy group of Indian rhinoceroses that can reproduce. However, the absence of large predators has caused serious imbalances in the populations of large herbivores. The male-to-female ratio of rhinoceroses, which is usually 1:3, increased rapidly to 1:1. This led to more fights between males and some deaths. The gaur population has also doubled in recent years, creating a risk of too much grazing.
Poaching was a major problem in the park during the 1970s and 1980s. Today, Gorumara is one of the parks least affected by poaching because rangers have good equipment, and villagers benefit from visitors. However, grazing by people from nearby villages and man-made fires are still major challenges.
A recent problem is the growing number of train accidents involving elephants near the park. In May 2006, three elephants were killed in separate train accidents on the same day. Indian Railways and park officials are working to solve this issue. [1]
Park-specific information
There are many watchtowers in the park that help visitors see wildlife. These watchtowers include:
- Jatraprasad Watch Tower: Named after a famous elephant.
- Rhino Observation Point: Located in front of the Gorumara Forest Bungalow.
- Chandrachur Watch Tower (Old Khunia Watch Tower): Near the Murti Forest Bungalow.
- Chukchuki Bird-watching Point: A good place for watching birds.
- Medla Watch Tower: Offers a wide view of the surrounding area.
There are no guided tours by rangers, no four-wheel drive vehicles, or elephant-back trips into the jungle. Hiking is allowed on paved roads, but it could be dangerous because elephants, gaur, and rhinoceros live in the park. The park is closed during the monsoon season from June 16 to September 15. The best time to visit Gorumara is from November to March.
Visitors can also explore nearby forest villages to learn about the lives and traditions of the people living there. A traditional tribal dance performance is held every evening in Budhuram Forest Village.
The Lataguri Nature Interpretation Centre has exhibits that explain the local natural history.
The park’s forest bungalow is an old wooden cottage with a watchtower that overlooks a salt reservoir.
Accommodations are available at River Wood Forest Retreats, a 4-star resort that overlooks Gorumara National Park and the Murti River. Visitors can also stay at Gorumara Elephant Camp in Dhupjhora or in newly built cottages in Kalipur Village, near the edge of the park. There are many private resorts in Lataguri and Ramsai.
Transportation Details:
• Nearest airport: Bagdogra Airport in Darjeeling district, West Bengal, about 80 kilometers away.
• Nearest railway station: New Maynaguri Station, New Mal Junction, and Chalsa Station in Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal, approximately 18 kilometers from the park. A major railway station is New Jalpaiguri.
• Nearest highway: NH 717 (Old NH-31) between Chalsa and Mainaguri, which passes through Lataguri, the entrance to the park.
• Nearest town: Lataguri is 8 kilometers from the park’s entrance, and Ramsai is on the other side of the park.
• Nearest city: Mainaguri (Maynaguri) is 17 kilometers from the park. Jalpaiguri is 42 kilometers to the south.
Best Way to Reach:
New Jalpaiguri Station is connected to all parts of India by rail. Visitors can hire a taxi or take public buses to reach Lataguri or Ramsai. Buses leave Siliguri (NJP) every 15 minutes for Mainaguri, with a 90-minute journey. Many buses also run from Maynaguri to Lataguri or Ramsai. Travelers can take trains to New Maynaguri Station, such as the 13141 Teesta Torsha Express, 15959 Kamrup Express, or 12377-05725 Padatik Express, and then take a 20-minute taxi or bus ride to Lataguri or Ramsai.
The 13149 Kanchankannya Express reaches New Mal Junction daily. Travelers can use buses or taxis to reach Lataguri.
Route: NJP or Siliguri → Mainaguri or Malbazar → Lataguri or Ramsai.
Image gallery
- An ox cart used by tourists
- A treehouse located in the park
- National Highway 717 passing through the national park
- A walking path within the park
- Tourists walking toward the Medla watchtower
- Parasitic plants growing in the area
- A designated path for visitors in Gorumara National Park
- A group of rhinos
- Sunrise at Gorumara National Park