By the time we acquired on the jeep, evening had fallen and we had greater than an hour to make it by the wilderness. A spherical moon, peeping by the branches and selflessly showering plentiful mild, accompanied us all of the whereas.
Having spent some high quality time within the mountains we drove all the way down to the gorgeous plains of Dooars. ‘Dooars’ or ‘Duars’ apparently means the gateway to Bhutan. It is the flood plains in jap and north jap India and lies within the foothills of the Himalayas. The area stretches from the Teesta river in West Bengal to so far as the Dhansiri river in Assam.
Unlike the piercing chilly winds of the mountains, the climate in Dooars is milder and on a wintry morning the rays of the comforting solar added to the bliss. After checking in at a resort in Lataguri, a city within the Jalpaiguri district, made a touch to the watch tower reserving counter. It was a stone’s throw away, so we had been simply on time. However, the safari reserving counter is way off; however one can procure on-line tickets with none trouble. But it’s necessary to indicate up a minimum of two hours earlier than the safari begins or the reserving could be cancelled.
Coming again to the watch tower reserving — It is advisable to go within the night as recognizing of animals is frequent throughout this time of the day. The 4 most visited watch towers of Dooars are particularly — Jatra Prasad, Medla, Chandrachur and Chapramari. Having performed Jatra Prasad throughout our final go to, we opted out of it.
Grabbing a fast lunch on the resort, a safari jeep was issued round 3.15 pm and we had been off to the jungle. A information accompanied us to the Medla watch tower. The drive was scenic — dashing on the concrete street bifurcating the forest, lined up with tall Himalayan bushes, was pure pleasure. At one level the jeep slowed down and took a flip into the Gorumara National Park; nonetheless, the gate opens solely after the permits are checked. Finally, our forest escapade started and this time it was a uncooked forest path that the jeep needed to trundle alongside.
The Medla watch tower is sort of into the inside of the jungle, so the vacationers get ample time to benefit from the jeep journey. The sight of the tall bushes rising and bending with the burden of the branches to kind a cover and letting our jeep go beneath was such a pleasant expertise.
One has to alight just a few kilometers forward of the tower and board a buffalo cart to succeed in the vacation spot. It is one thing very distinctive and is to not be discovered whereas visiting the opposite watch towers. Keeping the pandemic in thoughts, we determined to stroll as a substitute. I may see individuals jostling with one another to get onto them. However, we took many footage of the large buffaloes hitched to the carts.
As we walked alongside, the information knowledgeable us concerning the environment; I heard a kakar (barking deer), noticed a wild boar scamper by, walked previous a domesticated elephant tethered to a bark, unmindfully munching on some dry leaves. Eventually, after taking a proper flip, the Medla watch tower got here into sight. It was one other 5 minutes stroll and lastly we had been on high of it.
Some of the perfect views might be captured from right here. The Murti river flowing swiftly by and the dense verdure throughout may be very eye pleasing. The forestry division has made provisions for salt pits the place the animals come to lick salt. We had been fortunate sufficient to see the Indian one horned rhinoceros, elephants and bisons. However, the tower was crowded; the peace and quiet, that’s indispensable to expertise jungle vibes, was totally lacking.
At sunset the whole area was painted in a rosy hue; I took a pair of pictures and climbed down. While treading again, felt the dry grass susurrating underfoot, the birds continued their chirping, supposedly, nestled on some hidden branches. The tourism division has a setup contained in the forest the place refreshment is served and tribal dance is being carried out.
By the time we acquired on the jeep, evening had fallen and we had greater than an hour to make it by the wilderness. A spherical moon, peeping by the branches and selflessly showering plentiful mild, accompanied us all of the whereas. Words would fall quick to precise the sensation of travelling by the forest at evening; the expertise was one of a sort.
The subsequent day, likewise, we confirmed up on the workplace for our subsequent watch tower go to. Again, a night safari ensued and this time we had been heading in direction of the Chandrachur watch tower. Previously often called the Khunia watch tower, it’s also positioned within the Gorumara National Park. Absolutely acquired swooned by the panoramic view that the place has to supply; the unkempt grasslands, shrubs and the bushes gave a vivid really feel of wild life. This place is legendary for the sighting of wild elephants and Indian bisons. Luckily, we had been the one souls current there —simply the 4 of us and the whole tower to ourselves. That night I may lastly really feel one with nature, the rutilant visage of the setting solar was so lovely to behold.
Visiting the Chapramari watch tower, the subsequent day, was one more exhilarating expertise; this sanctuary is one of the oldest forest reserves in West Bengal. It is an extension of the Gorumara National park, a smidgen being separated by the Murti river. It is house to a spread of wildlife such because the cheetal, sambar, barking deer, pangolin, to not point out the mighty elephants and bisons. I may see the bisons glowering at one another to have their fill of the salt, whereas the deer maintained a secure distance and waited for his or her likelihood.
We had been fortunate sufficient to identify many birds, some flew throughout whereas others had been busy grubbing for bugs. Among the frequent Indian birds we noticed two Himalayan species — the Hill Myna and the white-capped redstart. The better part is one may even prebook a keep within the forest lodge, proper subsequent to the watch tower, amid greenery and benefit from the firm of the wild animals.
We had one more day at our disposal; though by with the watch towers, there are lots of different locations to go to in and round Dooars. So, with out a lot ado, began for Bindu and Jhalong. On the best way acquired down on the financial institution of the Murti river. The pristine water that criss-crosses Dooars, originates within the Neora Valley National park and after finishing its winding course joins the Jaldhaka river.
Bindu is a village that lies within the India Bhutan border. India’s second oldest dam is positioned in Bindu. One can get a detailed glimpse of the Jaldhaka river and benefit from the sound of the babbling river movement by. It is an ideal place to halt and spend a while ruminating within the lap of nature.
A number of kilometers uphill lies the a lot wanted Jhalong view level. Jhalong is a village surrounded by thick forest. From the perspective one can see the gorgeous hills of Bhutan on the opposite aspect. The naturescape is superb and would positively mesmerise its beholder. The Jaldhaka river that separates India from Bhutan might be seen from a distance at this level. The hydro-electric undertaking on this river is a serious attraction right here.
While travelling downhill our automobile hurtled alongside the street amid the huge vistas of Samsing. It’s lovely panorama with lengthy stretches of inexperienced tea gardens, hills and forests makes it a well-liked vacationer vacation spot.
Finally, our long-drawn trip got here to an finish. The subsequent day proceeded to the Bagdogra airport. Coming again to Dooars is at all times on my agenda. Till then, ciao Dooars, till we meet once more.
