Stretching from the Gangetic plains to the borders of the Himalayas in the north, Buxa Tiger Reserve is a reserve and a national park located in the Alipurduar district, northeastern region of West Bengal, India.
It covers an area of 290 sq. miles, and the picturesque terrain of this terai ecosystem is breathtaking. Several rivers and their tributaries cross the wild atmosphere of the forest.
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In this article, you will get to know the following points about Buxa Tiger Reserve,
Let’s see each of these points in detail.
About Buxa Tiger reserve
| Name of the park | Buxa Tiger Reserve |
| Established in | 1982 |
| Area | 290 sq m |
Between the years 1982 and 1983, Buxa Tiger Reserve was established. Later in January 1982, it was declared by the state government to be a national park and is the 15th tiger reserve in the country.
Lush biodiversity fills the place because of its fertile and diverse landscape. The vast reserve borders Assam and the international boundaries of Bhutan.
The tropical rainforest usually receives an annual rainfall of 5000 mm and thus has established such an exotic ecosystem. It also consists of grasslands, deciduous forests, and woodlands. It’s brilliant to look at the distinctive types of forests inside one reserve.
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Buxa aids as an international corridor for the migration of Elephants. It shares a boundary with the Phipsu wildlife sanctuary in Bhutan, and the Manas Tiger Reserve is in its eastern zone.
Inside, there is the historic Buxa fort and all the past related to it. Trekking is also done through the scenic trails amidst wild nature to enjoy the life there and to reach the fort.
The two primary entry points to enter Buxa Tiger Reserve are Jayanti and Buxa.
How to reach Buxa Tiger reserve
Air: Bagdogra is the nearest airport. If you are traveling by flight, get down at this airport, and take a cab, shared jeep, or bus. It is about 175 kilometers from the reserve.
Rail: New Jalpaiguri and New Alipurduar are the nearest rail stations in North Bengal. These two connect directly to Kolkata. Rajabhatkhawa is another well-known railway station close to Buxa.
Road: When traveling from Alipurduar or Madarihat, reach the Buxa entry point via Rajabhatkhawa. You can take your car or book a car for your tour.
Flora and Fauna in Buxa Tiger Reserve
The Buxa tiger reserve or national park has manifold floras wrapping the stretched forest. Here, nature’s beauty is intact, with several species and fragrances filling the place.
Due to the growth of different forest types, the flora is well-lived. The main types of forest ruling the ecosystem are:
- East Himalayan moist mixed deciduous forest,
- Northern dry deciduous,
- Terai Sal and eastern Bhabar,
- Sub Himalayan secondary wet mixed forest,
- East Himalayan sub-tropical wet hill forest,
- Eastern sub-montane semi-evergreen forest,
- Northern tropical ever-green forest,
- Low alluvium,
- Savannah woodland, and
- Moist sal savannah.
In all these biomes, there are 250 species of shrubs, 400 species of Herbs, 450 species of trees, and 100 species of grass. About ten species of bamboo, nine species of cane, 150 species of Orchids, 130 aquatic flora species, and 70 species of sedges are also present.
Apart from all these, there are 160 fern and monocotyledon species. The prime trees that are seen are Champa, Gamhar, Simul, Chikrasi, and Sal. The diversity is mind-boggling, and the beauty is rare.
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Along with all the greenery and fragrant flowers, the wildlife or the fauna in the ecoregion is sundry. About 73 species of mammals, 41 reptile species, 65 species of pieces, 04 amphibian species, and 02 species of frogs are identified.
About 284 bird species are also recorded, including exotic and migratory birds. Some of them are black stork, cinnamon bittern, chestnut-breasted partridge, oriental pied hornbill, etc.
Mammals that are seen roaming around are the Bengal tiger, Clouded leopard, giant squirrel, Indian leopard, chital, Asiatic golden cats, etc. endangered and exotic species of fauna are also found, which include Bengal florican, hog deer, rumped vulture, great hornbill, Chinese pangolins, reticulated python, etc.
Certain water bodies inside the reserve serve as the habitat of migratory birds, such as the Eurasian teal and black-necked crane. Breeding grounds and conservation centers are also established to protect all endangered species.
All the wild factors and admiring nature is breathtaking to look at. The movement of the wild animals can be observed in its raw form and is very charming. Several colorful sites are enjoyed while going around inside the Buxa Tiger reserve.
Things to do in Buxa Tiger Reserve
There are a lot of activities that you can try in Buxa Tiger Reserve.
Trekking
Several tracking routes are situated in the Buxa forest. The hike to Buxa fort is one of the most popular trekking in West Bengal. This trek starts from Santarabari.
You can also hike to Mahakal Cave or the Pokhri Hill from Jayanti village in Buxa Tiger Reserve.
Safari
The West Bengal Forest Department permits jeep safari in the forest. These safaris generally start from Jayanti or Rajabhatkhawa.
You can spot a lot of wildlife during your trip and have a wonderful new experience in the forest.
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Best time to visit Buxa Tiger Reserve
The best time to visit the Buxa Tiger Reserve is between October and March or during autumn, winter, and spring.
During this time, the reserve is flourishing with greeneries. There are varieties of shrubs, trees, and grasses.
Although dense bushes and forests reduce the probability of wildlife spotting, going on the jungle safari and getting a glimpse of some wild creatures will give you a beautiful experience.
The weather remains quite pleasant during this time. It is better to avoid visiting the reserve during the monsoon and summer.
During the monsoons, it rains heavily. So the reserve remains closed, and jeep safaris do not take place. The summers are uncomfortable, as the temperature rises and becomes unbearable to enjoy your trip.
Other attractions near Buxa Tiger Reserve
Buxa Fort, Narathali Lake, Mahakal Cave, Raimatand, Jaldapara National Park, and Jayanti Forest and River are some popular attractions near Buxa Tiger Reserve.
These are some points to keep in mind about the Buxa Tiger Reserve.
If you plan to visit the Dooars region, visit Buxa and have a new experience in the wild.
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