Buxa Tiger Reserve
  Buxa NP
Buxa NP (India)
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| IUCN Category II (National Park) | |
| Location | West Bengal, India |
| Nearest city | Alipurduar |
| Coordinates | |
| Area | 760 km². A national park is a reserve of land usually declared and owned by a national Government, protected from most Human development and pollution West Bengal ( Bengali: পশ্চিমবঙ্গ Poshchim Bônggo poʃtʃim bɔŋgo is a state in eastern India. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Alipurduar (আলীপুর দুয়ার is a sub-divisional municipal town of Jalpaiguri district, and is located at the eastern end of the district |
| Established | 1983 |
| Visitors | NA (in NA) |
| Governing body | Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India |
The Buxa National Park (Bengali: বক্সা জাতীয় উদ্যান Bôksha Jatio Uddan) is a national park located in West Bengal, India, in the Buxa hills of the southern hilly area of Bhutan. Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) The Ministry of Environment and Forests ( MoEF) is an Indian government ministry. A national park is a reserve of land usually declared and owned by a national Government, protected from most Human development and pollution West Bengal ( Bengali: পশ্চিমবঙ্গ Poshchim Bônggo poʃtʃim bɔŋgo is a state in eastern India. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country The Kingdom of Bhutan (buːˈtɑːn is a Landlocked nation in South Asia. Located inside the national park is the 759 square kilometers Buxa Tiger Reserve. Animals found in the park include, the tiger, civet and red jungle fowl. The tiger ( Panthera tigris) is a member of the Felidae family the largest and the most powerful of the four " Big cats quot in the Genus Civets are small lithe-bodied mostly arboreal Mammals native to the tropics of Africa and Asia The Red Junglefowl, Gallus gallus, is a Tropical member of the Pheasant family and is often believed to be the direct ancestor of the domestic Chicken
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Location
Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR) lies in Alipurduar sub-division of Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. Alipurduar (আলীপুর দুয়ার is a sub-divisional municipal town of Jalpaiguri district, and is located at the eastern end of the district Jalpaiguri ( Bengali:জলপাইগুড়ি is a town in the state of West Bengal, India. West Bengal ( Bengali: পশ্চিমবঙ্গ Poshchim Bônggo poʃtʃim bɔŋgo is a state in eastern India. Its northern boundary runs along the international border with Bhutan. The Kingdom of Bhutan (buːˈtɑːn is a Landlocked nation in South Asia. The Sinchula hill range lies all along the northern side of BTR and the Eastern boundary touches that of the Assam State. Assam) ( Assamese: অসম Ôxôm) is a northeastern state of India with its capital at Dispur, a suburb of the city National Highway No. 31 C roughly runs along its southern boundary. It is the eastern most extension of extreme bio-diverse North-East India & represents highly endemic Indo-Malayan region. North-East India refers to the easternmost region of India consisting of the contiguous Seven Sister States and Sikkim. The fragile "Terai Eco-System" constitutes a part of this Reserve. The Phipsu Wildlife Sanctuary of Bhutan is contiguous to North of BTR. The Kingdom of Bhutan (buːˈtɑːn is a Landlocked nation in South Asia. Manas National Park lies on east of BTR. Manas National Park is a National Park, UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, a Project Tiger Reserve an Elephant Reserve and a Biosphere BTR, thus, serves as international corridor for elephant migration between India and Bhutan. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country The Kingdom of Bhutan (buːˈtɑːn is a Landlocked nation in South Asia. The reserve encompasses as many as eight forest types.
Conservation history
Buxa Tiger Reserve created in 1983 comprises entire forest area of erstwhile Buxa Tiger Division and some territory of neighboring Cooch Behar Forest Division. Cooch Behar ( is the district headquarters and the largest town of Cooch Behar District in the Indian state of West Bengal. In 1986, Buxa Wildlife Sanctuary was constituted over 314. 52 km². of the Reserve forests. In the year 1991, 54. 47 km². area was added to Buxa Wildlife Sanctuary. A year later, in 1992, Government. of West Bengal declared its intentions to constitute a National Park over 117. 10 km². of the Buxa Wildlife Sanctuary. State Government finally declared National Park vide notification No. 3403-For/11B-6/95 dt. 05. 12. 1997.
Archaeology
The historic Buxa Fort (2600 feet above m. s. l. ). People have sentimental attachment with the fort on accounts of its association with the struggle for freedom. Once Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was confined inside the fort. Subhas Chandra Bose (সুভাষ চন্দ্র বসু (born January 23, 1897; presumed to have died August 18, 1945 A sacred temple – Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga - lies in BTR. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingams which are supposed to be Around 10,000 devotees of Lord Shiva congregate here on "Shiva Chouturdoshi".
Forest types
- Northern Dry Deciduous
- Eastern Bhabar and Terai Sal
- East Himalayan Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest
- Sub-Himalayan Secondary Wet Mixed Forest
- Eastern Sub-Montane Semi-evergreen Forest
- Northern Tropical Evergreen Forest
- East Himalayan Subtropical Wet Hill Forest
- Moist Sal Savannah
- Low alluvium
- Savannah Woodland
Major flora
More than 300 species of trees, 250 species of shrubs, 400 species of herbs, 9 species of cane, 10 species of bamboo, 150 species of orchids, 100 species of grass and 130 species of aquatic flora including more than 70 sedges (Cyperaceae) have been identified so far. There are more than 160 species of other monocotyledons and ferns.
Main species
The main species constitutes trees like Sal, Champ, Gamar, Simul, Chikrasi. CHAllenging Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP is a German Satellite launched July 15, 2000 from Plesetzk Russia currently being used
Major fauna
In the Reserve 390 species of birds, 73 species of mammals, 76 species of snakes, 5 species of amphibians have been identified so far. In a recent survey (2006) it has been found that Buxa Tiger Reserve has the highest number of fish species in the North Bengal region. North Bengal (উত্তর বঙ্গ is a term for the parts of Bangladesh and West Bengal. Apart from tigers animals like Elephants, bears, civets, giant squirrel, Gaur, Chital, clouded leopard, wild Buffaloes, antelope and snakes including the Regal Python are found here. The tiger ( Panthera tigris) is a member of the Felidae family the largest and the most powerful of the four " Big cats quot in the Genus Elephants ( family: Elephantidae) are large land Mammals of the order Proboscidea. Civets are small lithe-bodied mostly arboreal Mammals native to the tropics of Africa and Asia Oriental giant squirrels ( Genus Ratufa) form a taxon of Squirrels under the Subfamily Ratufinae. The gaur (ˈɡaʊɚ ( Bos gaurus, previously Bibos gauris) is a large dark-coated bovine animal of South Asia and Southeast Asia. The chital or cheetal ( Axis axis) also known as chital deer, spotted deer or axis deer is a Deer which commonly inhabits The Clouded Leopard ( Neofelis nebulosa) is a medium-sized cat, 55 to 110 cm (2 ft to 3 ft 6 in long and weighing between 15 and 23 kg (33 to 50 lb Antelope are Ruminant hoofed Mammals of the family Bovidae in the order of Even-toed ungulates. Common names reticulated python regal python Asiatic reticulated python About 230 species of birds and innumerable butterflies add colour to the forest. The rivers of Raidak and Jayanti which flow through the forest and the Narathali lake are home to migratory birds as well as endemic ones which abound the place. Raidak is a major river in Bhutan.It is one of the tributaries of Brahmaputra The Hornbills including greater Pied Hornbill, Ibis Bill, Trans Himalayan Migratory Goosanders, Red-stars, Wagtails, the rare black necked crane, migratory common teal, black stork, Large Whistling Teal, Minivets, White Eyed Poachared are some of the bird species sighted here. The wagtails form the Passerine Bird genus Motacilla. They are small birds with long tails which they wag frequently The Common Teal / Eurasian Teal or simply Teal ( Anas crecca) is a common and widespread Duck which breeds in the northernmost The Black Stork Ciconia nigra is a large wading bird in the Stork family Ciconiidae. The minivets are Passerine Birds belonging to the Genus Pericrocotus in the Cuckoo-shrike family Campephagidae Two new species of frog have been discovered in the park in the year 2006.
Main species
The main species include Asian Elephant, Tiger, Gaur, Wild boar, Sambar . The Asian or Asiatic Elephant ( Elephas maximus) sometimes known by the name of one of its subspecies &ndash the Indian Elephant, is one of The tiger ( Panthera tigris) is a member of the Felidae family the largest and the most powerful of the four " Big cats quot in the Genus The gaur (ˈɡaʊɚ ( Bos gaurus, previously Bibos gauris) is a large dark-coated bovine animal of South Asia and Southeast Asia. The boar or wild boar ( Sus scrofa) is an Omnivorous, gregarious Mammal of the biological family Suidae.
Endangered species
Some of the endangered species found in BTR are Indian Tiger, Asian Elephant, Leopard cat, Bengal florican, Regal Python, Chinese Pangolin, Hispid hare, Hog deer etc. The tiger ( Panthera tigris) is a member of the Felidae family the largest and the most powerful of the four " Big cats quot in the Genus The Asian or Asiatic Elephant ( Elephas maximus) sometimes known by the name of one of its subspecies &ndash the Indian Elephant, is one of The Leopard Cat ( Prionailurus bengalensis) is a small wild cat of Southeast Asia. Common names reticulated python regal python Asiatic reticulated python The Chinese Pangolin ( Manis pentadactyla) is a Pangolin that is found in north India, Nepal, Bhutan, possibly Bangladesh The Hispid Hare, Caprolagus hispidus, is a Leporid native to the foothills of the Himalaya. The Hog Deer ( Axis porcinus) is small Deer whose habitat ranges from Pakistan, through northern India, to mainland Southeast
Factors affecting the Reserve
- Most rivers enter BTR from Bhutan. They carry huge amount of bed load. They obliterate beds of BTR rivers. Flooding is frequent. Critical habitats are lost.
- Over one lakh cattle graze in the Reserve daily. Weeds, unpalatable grasses and shrubs have invaded the over grazed areas.
- Hilly, Bhabhar and riverine tracts of core suffer from fire. Generally NTFP collectors and shepherds put forests on fire.
- No frequent poaching cases. Tribal population in tea gardens poach small mammals during Holi festival illicitly as part of ritual hunting.
- Bodo militants from Assam occasionally enter core. Timber thieves operate in the area.
- Five forest hamlets in hilly tract viz. Adma, Chunabhati, Santrabari, Tobgaon and Tashigaon have some encroachments by way of unauthorised Orange Orchards as follows.
Park activities
Trekking
Buxa (2600 ft) 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. The Tibetan people are indigenous to Tibet and surrounding areas stretching from Central Asia in the North and West to Myanmar and China Proper ( Bengali: বাংলাদেশ inc-Latn Bangladesh) officially There is a 4 km further trek to Rovers Point (the land of unknown birds at 4500 ft) or a 14 km trek to Roopam Valley in Bhutan from Bhutan. The Kingdom of Bhutan (buːˈtɑːn is a Landlocked nation in South Asia. From Buxa, one can also take the 13 km 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 (17 km from Alipurduar) has an orchidarium, animal rescue centre and a nature interpretation centre. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Rajabhatkhawa is a small town situated just outside the Buxa Tiger Reserve in the Jalpaiguri district
Park safari
One can have a park safari by car or jeep by taking permission from the Forest Office at Rajabhatkhawa or at Jayanti. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Rajabhatkhawa is a small town situated just outside the Buxa Tiger Reserve in the Jalpaiguri district
Other
You can visit “Pukri Mai”, a small sacred pond situated inside the park where fishes like Magur and Singiand Turtles are kept. other name freshwater catfishThe walking catfish, Clarias batrachus, is a species of Freshwater Airbreathing catfish found primarily in Southeast Singi is a hut along trecking and ski-touring route Kungsleden ("the Kings trail" in the northern part of Sweden. Festivals are held at certain time of the year by both Buddhist and Hindus and local tribals.
Lodging
There are forest rest houses of West Bengal Forest Development Corporation at Rajabhatkhawa, Nimati, Barobisha, Raidak, Raimatang, Bhutanghat, Buxaduar and Jayanti at the banks of the river Jayanthi nestled between mountains and thick forests. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Rajabhatkhawa is a small town situated just outside the Buxa Tiger Reserve in the Jalpaiguri district Raidak is a major river in Bhutan.It is one of the tributaries of Brahmaputra
Approach
- Nearest Airport: Bagdogra – 195 km away
- Nearest Rail Station: Alipurduar Junction / New Alipurduar – 17 km
- Nearest Town/ City: Alipurduar – 17 km
- By Road: NH 31 is the main highway. Bagdogra Airport or Civil Aerodrome Bagdogra, a military Airport that is open for civilian flights is located about from the city of Siliguri in Alipurduar (আলীপুর দুয়ার is a sub-divisional municipal town of Jalpaiguri district, and is located at the eastern end of the district One can hire a car from Alipurduar.
External links
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