Gorumara National Park

2026-02-22T21:06:02Z

82.132.185.173:

{{short description|National park in northern West Bengal, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Gorumara National Park
| alt_name =
| iucn_category = II
| image = Gorumara Gateway Arnab Dutta.JPG
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Entrance to Gorumara National Park
| image_size =
| map = India West Bengal#India
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location in West Bengal, India
| map_width =
| mapframe-zoom = 9
| location = [[Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal]], [[India]]
| nearest_city = [[Malbazar, Jalpaiguri]]
| coordinates = {{coords|26.7|N|88.8|E|display=inline, title}}
| area =
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| relief = 1
| mapframe = Yes
| governing_body = [[Government of India]], [[Government of West Bengal]]
| url =
}}
'''Gorumara National Park''' (Pron: ˌgɔ:rʊˈmɑ:rə; ''Gorumara Jatio Uddan'') is a [[National Park|national park]] in northern [[West Bengal]], India. Located in the [[Dooars]] region of the [[Himalaya]]n foothills, it is a medium-sized park with [[grassland]]s and [[forest]]s. Gorumara National Park was established in 1992. It is primarily known for its population of [[Indian rhinoceros]]. The park was declared as the best among the protected areas in India by the [[Ministry of Environment and Forests (India)|Ministry of Environment and Forests]] for the year 2009.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120913202925/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100410/jsp/siliguri/story_12323738.jsp Centre says Gorumara best among the wild]. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved 1 January 2022.</ref>

{{As of|March 2021}}, the park is open for the tourists after staying closed for months due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|COVID-19 pandemic]].

==History==
Having been a [[Reserved forests of India|reserve forest]] since 1895, ''Gorumara'' was declared as a [[Wildlife sanctuaries of India|Wildlife Sanctuary]] in 1949, on account of its breeding population of [[Indian rhinoceros]]. It was granted official status as an [[National parks of India|Indian National Park]] on 31 January 1992. Originally the park was as small as 7 km<sup>2</sup>. Since then Gorumara has grown by incorporating neighbouring lands to about 80 km<sup>2</sup>.

==Geography==
===Political geography===
The park is located in the [[Malbazar subdivision]] of [[Jalpaiguri district]], in the state of [[West Bengal]] in India.

===Physical geography===
Gorumara is located in the [[Eastern Himalayas]]' submontane [[Terai]] belt. This region has rolling forests and riverine grasslands, and is known as the [[Dooars]] in [[West Bengal]]. The park is located on the [[flood plain]]s of the [[Murti River]] and [[Raidak River]]. The major river of the park is the [[Jaldhaka]] river, a tributary of the [[Brahmaputra]] river system. In this regard, Gorumara is a significant [[water divide|watershed]] area between the [[Ganges]] and [[Brahmaputra]] river systems. The park is very close to [[Jaldapara National Park]] and [[Chapramari Wildlife Reserve]].

The park is {{convert|79.99|sqkm|abbr=on}} in area.

===Climate===
The temperature ranges from {{convert|10|to|21|°C|°F}} from November to February, {{convert|24|to|27|°C|°F}} from March to April and {{convert|27|to|37|°C|°F}} from May to October. Rainfall mostly occurs between mid-May to mid-October and average annual rainfall is {{convert|382|cm|abbr=on}}.

==History==
The park forest bungalow dates back to the [[British Raj]] era, and contains a well-maintained log book from its inception, which makes for interesting reading. However Gorumara is encircled by many ethnic villages. More than 10,000 resident forest villagers derive their income from sources including employment in forest department activities, ecotourism, etc. Some of the villages are Sarswati, Budhuram, Bichabhanga, Chatua, Kailipur and Murti Forest Village.

[[File:Baby with Mother Rhino.jpg|thumb|Baby with Mother Rhino near Medla watch tower]]

==Wildlife==

===Biomes===
The park falls in the [[Indomalayan realm]]. Inside the park, the primary [[ecoregion]]s and their corresponding to the [[biome]]s are:
* [[Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands]] of the [[tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands]] biome
* [[Lower Gangetic Plains moist deciduous forests]] of the [[tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests]] biome

Both of these are typical of the [[Bhutan]]–[[Nepal]]–India [[Terai]] submontane region.

===Flora===
Typical flora include:
*[[Sal tree|Sal]] forests with common [[teak]], [[Albizia saman|rain tree]] (Shirish or [[Albizia saman]] lebbeck), and [[Bombax]] (also known as silk cotton tree or Shimul)
*[[Bamboo]] groves, terai grassland vegetation and tropical riverine reeds

Gorumara is home to numerous tropical orchids.

[[File:Gorumara National Park Panorama.JPG|1100px|center|thumb|Gorumara National Park Panorama]]

===Fauna===
The park has recorded fifty species of [[mammal]]s, 194 species of [[bird]]s, 22 species of [[reptile]]s, 7 species of [[turtle]]s, 27 species of [[fish]], and other macro and micro fauna.

====Mammals====
The park is rich in large herbivores including [[Indian rhinoceros]], [[gaur]], [[Asian elephant]], [[sloth bear]], [[chital]], and [[sambar deer]]. Small herbivores include [[barking deer]], [[hog deer]] and [[wild boar]]. There is a comparative lack of large carnivores, with the only big cat being the [[leopard]]. The park is not home to any resident population of [[Bengal tiger]]s, [[dhole|Indian wild dogs]], or [[Indian wolf|Indian wolves]]. Tigers are, however, occasionally spotted here. It does have numerous small carnivores including various civets, mongooses and small cats. The park has a large resident population of [[wild boar]], but the critically endangered [[pygmy hog]] has been reported from the park. It also has numerous rodents, including [[giant squirrel]]s. The rare [[hispid hare]] has also been reported from the park.

====Birds====
Birds at the Gorumara National Park include submontane forest species like the [[scarlet minivet]], [[sunbird]], [[asian paradise flycatcher]]s, [[spangled drongo]], and [[Great Indian hornbill|Indian hornbill]]. Numerous [[woodpecker]]s and [[pheasant]]s inhabit the park. [[Peafowl]]s are very common. The park is on the [[flyway]] of [[migratory birds]] including the rare [[brahminy duck]].

====Reptiles and amphibians====
The park is home to a wide variety of snake species, venomous and non-venomous, including the famous [[Indian python]], and the [[king cobra]].

[[File:Coomkie Elephant in Garumara.jpg|thumb|Kumki Elephant of West Bengal Forest Department at Ramsai]]

==Conservation issues==
The major conservation focus of the park is to maintain a viable breeding community of [[Indian rhinoceros]]es. However, the lack of large predators has caused significantly worrying skews in the populations of large herbivores in the park. The rhinoceros male:female ratio, usually 1:3, shot up to 1:1 – resulting in male dominance fights and deaths. The [[gaur]] population also doubled in recent years, with risk of [[overgrazing]].

[[Poaching]] was a major issue in the park in the 1970s and 1980s, but now Gorumara is one of the parks least threatened by poaching, with well-equipped rangers and with villagers benefiting from park visitors. However, grazing from fringe villages, and man-made brush fires are major issues at the park.

A recent issue at the park is the increasing number of train accidents involving elephants on railway lines near the park. Three elephants were killed in separate incidents on the same day in May 2006 in train mishaps. [[Indian Railways]] and park authorities are presently trying to address the problem. [https://archive.today/20130203132740/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1061105/asp/bengal/story_6961715.asp]

==Park-specific information==


===Activities===
[[File:Jatraprosad Watch Tower.jpg|thumb|Jatraprosad Watch Tower]]
There are numerous watchtowers at the park, facilitating wildlife observation. The watchtowers are:
*''Jatraprasad Watch Tower'': Named after a legendary elephant
*''Rhino Observation Point'': Watch tower in front of the Gorumara Forest Bungalow
*''Chandrachur Watch Tower (Old Khunia Watch Tower)'': Near the Murti forest bungalow
*''Chukchuki Bird-watching Point'': Good for birding
*''Medla Watch Tower'': Known for panoramic view of surroundings
[[File:Rhino Point Watch Tower.jpg|thumb|Rhino Point Watch Tower]]
There are no ranger-led or otherwise [[4WD|four-wheel drive vehicle]] or [[mahout|elephant-back]] forays into the jungle. Hiking is permitted on metalled roads, but is potentially unsafe considering the population of elephants, gaur and rhinoceros present in the park. The park is closed in the [[Monsoon]] season from 16 June to 15 September. The best time to visit Gorumara is from November to March.

One can also visit the adjoining forest villages to get acquainted with the lifestyle and culture of the villagers. A live show of the ethnic tribal dance can be seen every evening in [[Budhuram Forest Village]].

One can visit the [[Lataguri Nature Interpretation Centre]] for an interpretive exhibit of the local natural history.

===Lodging===
[[File:Gorumara Forest Rest House Arnab Dutta.JPG|thumb|Rest house inside forest]]
The park forest bungalow is an old wooden rustic cottage which has a watchtower overlooking the salt reservoir.

Accommodations are also available in River Wood Forest Retreats, a 4 star resort overlooking the Gorumara national park and Murti River and at Gorumara Elephant Camp at [[Dhupjhora]]. One can stay in newly constructed cottages in the Kalipur village at the fringe of Gorumara built by the State Forest Department.
There are many private resort at [[Lataguri]] and [[Ramsai]].

===Approach===
*Nearest airport: [[Bagdogra]], Darjeeling district, West Bengal about 80 km away
*Nearest railhead: broad gauge: [[New Maynaguri railway station]], New Mal Jn & [[Chalsa, India|Chalsa]], Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal are approx 18 km. from the park. Important railstation: [[New Jalpaiguri]].
*Nearest highway: [[National Highway 717 (India)|NH 717]] (Old NH-31) between [[Chalsa, India|Chalsa]] and [[Mainaguri]] passes over [[Lataguri]], the entrance to the park.
*Nearest town: On the one side [[Lataguri]] is 8 km from the park's entrance & Ramsai is other part of the National Park.
*Nearest city: [[Mainaguri]](Maynaguri) is 17 km from the park. The city of [[Jalpaiguri]] is 42 km to the south of the park.
*'''Best way to reach:'''[[New Jalpaiguri]] is connected with any part of India by Rail rought. Tourist can hire a taxi or use the public bus to reach [[Lataguri]] or [[Ramsai]]. Buses starts from [[Siliguri]] ([[New Jalpaiguri railway station|NJP]]) every 15 minutes for [[Mainaguri]]. It is 90 minutes journey. There are plenty of buses from [[Maynaguri]] to [[Lataguri]] or Ramsai or tourist can reach [[New Maynaguri railway station]] by train ( 13141 [[Teesta Torsha Express]], 15959 [[Kamrup Express]], 12377-05725 [[Padatik Express]]- link). It is 20 minutes journey to Lataguri or Ramsai from Maynaguri.
[[13149 Kanchankannya Ex.]] reaches New Mal Jn every day. Bus or Taxi may be used by travelers to reach lataguri.

[[New Jalpaiguri railway station|NJP]] or [[Siliguri]]—→[[Mainaguri]] or [[Malbazar]]—→ [[Lataguri]] or Ramsai

== Other attractions ==
* Ethnic Forest Village Tourism
* Nature Interpretation Centre

== Image gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Bullock cart inside the park.jpg|Bullock cart for tourists
File:Tree house inside the park.jpg|Tree house
File:National Highway penetrating the park.jpg|National Highway 717 penetrating the national park
File:Gorumara Deep Forest Arnab Dutta.JPG|A path inside the park
File:Walking way to Medla Watch Tower.jpg|Tourists walking towards Medla watch tower
File:Parasitic plant in Garumara.jpg|Parasitic plants
File:Road Way for tourist.jpg|Way for tourists in Gorumara National Park
File:Group of Rhinos.jpg|A group of Rhinos
File:Sunrise from Garumara National Park.jpg|Sunrise at Gorumara National Park
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Neora Valley National Park]]
* [[Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary]]
* [[Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary]]
* [[Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary]]
* [[Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary]]
{{commons category}}
*{{Wikivoyage-inline}}

{{Protected areas of West Bengal|sundar bans = biosphre reserves}}
{{National Parks of India}}
{{Jalpaiguri topics}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20030319014110/http://www.wii.gov.in/envis/envis_pa_network/index.htm Ministry of Forests and Environment Protected Areas website]
* Gorumara National Park Brochure, (2005) published by Divisional Forest Officer, Wildlife Division-II, Jalpaiguri Directorate of Forests, Government of West Bengal.
*[https://archive.today/20131002161913/http://www.banglalive.com/Feature/FeatureDetail/6580/pother-debota Says wild elephants of Gorumara are worshiped as Mahakala by some of the locals]{{failed verification|date=October 2020}}

[[Category:Tourist attractions in Jalpaiguri district]]
[[Category:National parks in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1949]]
[[Category:1949 establishments in West Bengal]]

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Gorumara National Park