Key Highlights
- Home to the largest population of Indian one‑horned rhinoceros in West Bengal.
- Spans 216.51 square kilometres of grasslands and riverine forests.
- Established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1941 and upgraded to a national park in 2014.
- Supports over 290 tree species and a diverse array of mammals and birds.
Detailed Insights
Jaldapara National Park lies in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, adjacent to the Torsa River, at an elevation of roughly 61 metres. The park’s terrain is dominated by open savannahs interspersed with patches of dense forest along the riverbanks, creating a mosaic of habitats that favour a wide range of fauna.
Beyond the iconic rhinoceros, the park shelters Indian leopards, elephants, sambar and barking deer, chital, hog deer, wild boar, and gaur. The presence of these species indicates a healthy ecosystem where predator‑prey dynamics are maintained.
Conservation initiatives have focused on anti‑poaching measures, habitat restoration, and community engagement, resulting in a stable rhinoceros population that rivals that of Kaziranga National Park.
Key Concepts
- Indian one‑horned rhinoceros – A large herbivore endemic to the Indian subcontinent, known for its single horn and thick skin.
- Savannah – An open grassland ecosystem with scattered trees, supporting grazing mammals.
- Eastern Himalayas – A mountain range forming the eastern boundary of the Indian subcontinent, influencing local climate and biodiversity.