National Parks in West Bengal

West Bengal is home to 6 national parks.

Table of Contents

Buxa National Park

Location: Alipurduar district, West Bengal, India; eastern Dooars; part of the Eastern Himalayan range.
Historic Significance: Buxa National Park contains the Buxa Fort, which was used as a prison under British rule and later functioned as a detention center during India’s struggle for independence.
Tiger Reserve: Established in 1983 as the 15th tiger reserve in India.
Wildlife Sanctuary: Constituted in 1986.
National Park: Elevated to national park status in 1992.
Area: 315 sq.km.
Elevation: Approximately 2,600 ft above sea level.
Hills: Buxa Hills, Sinchula Hill Range.
River: Sankosh, Raidak, Jayanti, Churnia, Turturi, Phashkhawa, Dima, Nonani.
Plants: Sal, Simul, Gamari, Amari, Teak, Khair, Champa, Mahua, Bamboo, Rhododendrons.
Animals: Bengal Tiger, Leopard Cat, Sloth Bear, Hyaena, Eurasian Griffon, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Black-naped Oriole, Indian Roofed Turtle.

Location: Malbazar subdivision, Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal, India; Dooars region of the Himalayan foothills.
Reserve Forest: Gorumara was officially declared a reserve forest in 1895.
Wildlife Sanctuary: It became a wildlife sanctuary in 1949 due to its thriving Indian rhinoceros population.
National Park: Gorumara attained national park status in 1992.
Recognition: In 2009, it was recognized as one of India’s top protected areas.
Area: Approximately 79.99 km² (30.88 sq mi).
River: Murti River, Raidak River, Jaldhaka River.
Lake: Ramsai Lake (also known as Gorumara Lake or Gorumara Reservoir).
Flora: Sal, Simul, Khair, Teak, Shisham, Silk Cotton Tree.
Fauna: Indian Rhinoceros, Leopard, Gaur, Asian Elephant, Sloth Bear, Chital, Sambar Deer, Hispid Hare, Brahminy Duck.

Location: Alipurduar district, West Bengal, India; situated on the banks of the Torsa River; situated in the Eastern Himalayas.
Known for its population of Indian one-horned rhinoceros.
Wildlife Sanctuary: Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1941.
National Park: The sanctuary was upgraded to Jaldapara National Park in 2014.
Area: Approximately 216 square kilometers (83 square miles).
River: Torsa River, Malangi River, Hollong River, Chirakhawa River, Sissamara River, Kalijhora River.
Tribe: Toto and Mech tribes; lived in the area prior to 1800.
Flora: Sal, Teak, Simul, Sishu.
Fauna: Indian one-horned Rhinoceros, Indian Leopard, Indian Elephant, Sambar, Bengal Florican.

Location: Kalimpong district, West Bengal, India; situated in the Eastern Himalayas.
This park is famous for its Red Panda population.
Wildlife Sanctuary: Neora Valley was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1961.
National Park: Upgraded to Neora Valley National Park in 1986.
Area: Approximately 88 km² (34 sq mi).
Hills: Kalimpong Hills, Lava Hills, Tiffin Dara, Rachela Pass, Rishyap Hills.
River: Neora River flows through the park.
Flora: Rhododendrons, Oaks, Bamboo Orchids.
Fauna: Red Panda, Asiatic Black Bear, Sloth Bear, Clouded Leopard, Asian Golden Cat, Serow, Sambar Deer.

Location: Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India; situated on the Singalila Ridge of the Eastern Himalayas.
This park is known for its population of red pandas.
Wildlife Sanctuary: Singalila region was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1986.
National Park: Upgraded to Singalila National Park in 1992.
Area: Approximately 78 km² (30 sq mi). Singalila National Park is the smallest national park in West Bengal.
River: Rammam River and Srikhola River flow through the park.
Flora: Rhododendrons, Oak, Himalayan fir, Himalayan pine, West Himalayan spruce, Alpine Flora.
Fauna: Red Panda, Himalayan Black Bear, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Yellow-throated Marten, Serow, Takin, Himalayan Vulture.

Location: South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, India.
Tiger Reserve: Sundarbans Tiger Reserve established in 1973 under Project Tiger initiative.
Wildlife Sanctuary: Sundarbans Reserve Forest designated in 1977.
National Park: Sundarbans Wildlife Sanctuary elevated to National Park status in 1984.
UNESCO Status: Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Biosphere Reserve: Declared by the Indian government in 1989 and included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2001.
Ramsar Site: Sunderban Wetland recognized as Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention in 2019.
Area: Approximately 1,330 km² (513 sq mi); composed of 54 small islands.
River: Ganges River (Hooghly River), Matla River, Bidyadhari River, Raimangal River, Harinbhanga River.
Flora: Sundari, Gewa, Goran, Keora, Hetal, Dhundul, Kankra.
Fauna: Royal Bengal Tiger, Leopard Cat, Chital, Wild Boar, Fishing Cat, Ganges River Dolphin, Irrawaddy Dolphin, False Killer Whale, Night Heron, Spotted Dove, Green Turtle, Estuarine Crocodile.