Key Highlights
- Situated in the Dooars, the verdant foothills of the Eastern Himalayas.
- Home to a thriving population of the endangered Indian rhinoceros.
- Boasts an impressive 190+ bird species, including peacocks and hornbills.
- Expanded from 7 km² to nearly 80 km² since its designation as a national park.
- Seasonally closed during the monsoon between June 16 and September 15.
Detailed Insights
Gorumara National Park, nestled in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district, began as a reserve forest in 1895. After being declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1949 for the protection of its rhinoceroses, it officially attained national park status in 1992. Over the past decades its protected area grew from a modest 7 km² to almost 80 km², encompassing dense sal and bamboo forests, orchids, and tropical shrubs.
Beyond rhinoceroses, the park harbors elephants, gaurs, various deer, wild boars, leopards, and an array of reptiles—chiefly king cobras and pythons. The surrounding rivers – Murti, Raidak, and Jaldhaka – provide riparian habitats that enhance the ecological mosaic, supporting an abundance of flora and fauna.
Visitors find November through March the most inviting period, as cooler temperatures permit easy exploration. The park closes each year during the heavy monsoon from mid‑June to mid‑September to safeguard both wildlife and infrastructure.
Key Concepts
- Dooars – The grassland region at the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas.
- Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) – One of the park’s flagship species.
- Gaur (Bos gaurus) – A large herbivorous bovine native to Indian forests.
- Sal tree (Shorea robusta) – The dominant hardwood species within Gorumara’s forest.
- Murti River – One of the rivers that flow through the park, contributing to its wetlands.