Dooars

The place where nature has kept its doors open. Derived from the word 'doors' (doors to Bhutan), this region, located in the district of Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar, forms a gateway to the hill stations of North Bengal, Sikkim, Bhutan & North-Eastern states. The dense natural forests, interwoven with lush green tea gardens, criss-crossed by Teesta, Raidak, Torsha, Jaldhaka, Kaljani and other rivers & their innumerable tributaries rolling down the hills fill up your senses with sublimity.

Location

Not so much known to the world, the Dooars valley stretching from river Teesta on the west to river Sankosh on the east, over a span of 130 km by 40 km, forms a major part of Jalpaiguri district. To its north stands the east Himalayas as a natural backdrop. A vast texture of dense forests teeming with wildlife, unending tea gardens, bubbling rivers, interspersed with sleepy or busy settlements, is what Dooars is all about.

Getting there

Dooars, 632 km north of Kolkata is connected by air, rail and road from Kolkata. A broad gauge railway service connects Siliguri and Cooch Behar via Alipurduar. Siliguri is the gateway to the Dooars. The journey time is approximately 10+ hours by rail or 45 minute by air followed by 1 hr by road.

For the adventurous and those who really want to experience the beauty of nature and the changing landscape as you approach the Dooars, there is nothing like taking a road trip. The entire region is served with a network of motorable roads running through the deep forests and tea gardens. The place is well connected by long distance bus routes to Siliguri as well as to Kolkata, Jalpaiguri and other areas of the state.

The route to be followed from Kolkata is as follows:

* NH34 to Dalkola via Barasat, Ranaghat, Krishnanagar, Plassey, Berhampur, Morgram, Farakka, Malda, Raiganj, Karandighi.
* From Dalkola take the NH31 to Sevoke via Kishanganj, Islampur, Bagdogra, Siliguri.

What to eat

It will not be a good idea to look for North or South Indian food around here though they might be available in the tourist lodge restaurants. Enjoy local food wherever you go. Be it momo, fresh fish pickle made of dry fish or fermented bamboo shoots, "dak bunglow" chicken or Chinese food. Roadside eateries in addition to serving local food also give you a choice of general food like puri bhaji or Bengali culinary fare. Most importantly, do not forget to experience the world famous tea here.

Dooars - Attractions & Activities

Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary and Gorumara National Park

These are habitats of the rare one-horned Rhinoceros, the mighty Bison, Leopard, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Hog Deer, reptiles, huge wild Tuskers, Wild Boars and the rarest variety of animals and birds including plenty of Peacocks. Elephant safaris through the Jaldapara forest in search of wild animals, is a memorable experience. Numerous watch towers here allow you to take a real close look at wildlife. Moreover the scintillating light and sound show at Jaldapara guest house adds a wild thrill to your trip.


Buxa Tiger Reserve

Buxa National Park, in the subdivision of Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri district, was set up in the year of 1982-83 at the north eastern corner of West Bengal bordering Bhutan and Assam. With an area of 759 sq km this picturesque reserve with its prodigious Terai, Bhabar as well as Hilly landscape, crisscrossed by numerous rivers and their tributaries, presents a breathtaking landscape. 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. The veritable flora and fauna of these wet forests attracts tourists and nature lovers every year.


Rasikbil Bird Sanctuary

This place simply belongs to the winged beauties, the birds. The constant activity of these colourful creatures and the signature tunes of them make this waterbody a paradise for bird watchers. Boating in Rasikbil under the blue sky with birds flying everywhere or graciously swimming nearby is something beyond imagination. The bird variety includes cormorants, different varieties of storks, ibis, spoonbill, kingfisher, parrots and many others. There is also a large aquarium, a deer park and a crocodile rehabilitation centre at Rasikbil.


Raas Mela (November - December)

Raas Mela is the most ancient and traditional of all fairs. The celebrations commence from the auspicious day of Purnima in the month of Kartik according to Bengali calendar. This traditional fair goes on for 15 days.