Gorumara National Park is a National Park of 79.99 Sq. KM in area located in the Tarai region of the Himalayan foothills in northern West Bengal , India. It is a medium-sized park with grasslands and forests and famous for its population of Indian One Horned Rhinoceros. Gorumara was previously a Reserve Forest since 1895. The park was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1949 for its increased population of Indian Rhinoceros and declared as an National Park of India on January 31, 1994. Originally as small Reserve Forest, Gorumara has now grown by incorporating neighbouring forest lands. This region is known as the Dooars in West Bengal. The park is located on the flood plains of the Murti River and Raidak River. The major source of water in the park is the river Jaldhaka. Moreover, Gorumara with adjoining forest areas in Tarai region is a vast watershed area between the Ganges and Brahmaputra river systems. The park is very close to the Jaldapara Wildlife Reserve and Chapramari Wildlife Reserve .

Climate:

Flora:
Sal, Common Teak , Rain Tree (Shirish or Albizia lebbeck), and Silk Cotton (Shimul or Bombax malabaricum) trees, Bamboo groves, Tarai grassland vegetation and tropical riverine reeds are the typical flora in the forest. Gorumara is home to numerous tropical orchids.

Fauna: The park has recorded fifty species of mammals, 193 species of birds, 22 species of reptiles, 7 species of turtles, 27 species of fishes 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 Tigers, Indian Wild Dogs or Indian Wolf. 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 Squirrels. The rare Hispid Hare has also been reported from the park.

Birds: Gorumara National Park is famous for its bird population - which includes brilliant submontane forest birds like the Scarlet Minivet , Sunbird , Asian Paradise Flycatcher , Spangled Drongo and Great Indian Hornbill . Numerous woodpeckers and pheasants inhabit the park. Peafowls are very common. The park is on the flyway of numerous migratory birds , including the rare Brahminy Duck.

Reptiles and amphibians: The park is home to a large number of snakes, venomous and non-venomous, including the Indian Python , one of the largest snakes in the world, and the King Cobra - the world's largest venomous snake.

The best way to watch wildlife at the park is to use powerful binoculars, with night vision facilities at night, from the numerous well-located watchtowers at the park. 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

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.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 11 January 2011 15:01