Gorumara National Park, located on the flood plains of Murti and Jaldhaka rivers, the Gorumara National Park offers a large variety of flora and fauna. The grassland of Gorumara is famous for Asiatic one-horned rhino. In view of its great diversity of plants and animals it was delared a National Park in 1994 comprising a total area of 80 sq. km.

The forest area has come up as a tourist destination during the last decade. In recent years, there has been substantial increase in tourist arrival as well as infrastructure. Today the area around the forest has the largest concentration of tourist accommodation in Dooars. The number of Jungle safari options has also increased over the years.

Getting There

Gorumara can be reached from Bagdogra / NJP in just two hours through winding roads and tea gardens. Although this is the most convenient option for most tourists, there are a few other options for tourists travelling by rail or road. There are a number of smaller rail stations around Gorumara but the nearest station with stoppage of important trains is Malbazar about 20 kms away. If you are travelling by road you can reach here either through the National Highway 31 which passes through Malbazar and turns right at Chalsa before reaching Gorumara. There is another highway through Jalpaiguri and Maynaguri. A third road that is less travelled passes through Gajaldoba barrage over Tista and passes through the Kranti before reaching Lataguri on the outskirts of the National Park.

Gorumara Safari Options

While in Gorumara, tourists go inside the forests for Jungle safari. Sighting of wildlife is quite common. Elephants, Rhinos, Indian Bison (Gaur), Peacock, Deer are the most common sightings.
The forest safari is organised in special vehicles meant for the purpose. You must book your forest safari from the forest department and take an authorised guide along while visiting the watchtowers. Tresspassing is illegal and can be dengerous as well. The common forest safaris include the following.

Jatraprasad – The watchtower is named after a female elephant which was legendary for its caring nature. The elephant Jatraprasad saved lives of numerous orphaned baby elephants by acting as their surrogate mother. The Jatraprasad watchtower is also the most popular. The entry point is through the National Highway at the northern part of Gorumara National Park. You have to travel through the forest for about 6 kms before reaching the Gorumara forest bungalow. The Jatraprasad watchtower is 100 meters away from the Bungalow on the bank of Murti river. There are couple of salt leaks just below the watchtower making it an attractive place for sighting wildlife especially during early morning and late afternoon safaris. There is another watchtower in the vicinity known as Rhino point.

Methla Watchtower is located at Kalipur eco village near Ramsai on the eastern fringe of Gorumara National Park. There are unique Bullok cart driven forest safari available here.

Chukchuki Watchtower is in inside the Gorumara forest between Ramsai and Lataguri.

Chandrachur watchtower – If you drive from Murti River towards Khunia through the Chapramari forest, you will come across a road crossing. The road ahead goes towards Eastern Dooars and the road to your left will go to Khunia. If you take the forest road on your right and drive through for about a kilometre you will suddenly find yourself facing large open grassland and a watchtower in the middle of it. This is Chandrachur watchtower of Chapramari forest. There is a small pond and a salt leak. The open ground was originally the location of a forest village named Khunia Basti. The village was shifted outside the forest and the location slowly turned wild again as is evident from the games sighted here.

Chapramari Watchtower – This is another watchtower inside the Chapramari forest. From Khunia more you have to drive about 4 kms towards the Jhalong – Bindu hills and then take a left road through the forests to reach Chapramari forest bungalow. The Watchtower is located just in front of the Bungalow.

Wild Life in Gorumara

Most common animals in the area are one horned Indian rhino, Elephant, Indian Bison (commonly known as Gaur), Leopards (locally known as Chitabagh), Rock Python, Malayan Giant Squirrel and deer. Visitors need to obtain a special permission to enter into the core area of the park. The Gorumara national park has approximately 48 species of carnivores and herbivores, 193 species of birds, 22 species of reptiles, 7 species of turtles, 27 species of fishes and other macro and micro fauna.

Major bird species seen in Gorumara include Minivets, Pheasants, Hornbills, Woodpeckers, Cuckoos, cormorants, Orioles, Pigeons and Mynas. During the winter months, migratory birds including the Brahminy duck, Ibis, teals, Stork and other varieties can also be seen here. Other birds include Corporant, Indian Shag, Darter, Egrets, Lesser Adjutant Stork and Lapwing. The night hunters in Gorumara are the Owls and the Nightjars.