Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary

Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in the vicinity of Gorumara National Park, is one of the famous destinations in Dooars. Chapramari is an extension of Gorumara National Park and is segregated by the Murti River. The total coverage of Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary is 960 hectares, and it is 30 km away from Chalsa and Lataguri in Northern West Bengal, India. The sanctuary is known for its large Elephant pop; Chapramari was dressed as a wildlife sanctuary in 1998. The forest is bounded by shimmering river streams, making it an ideal place to partake in angling and boating while traveling in Dooars. The Watchtower of Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary is an ideal place to observe the native and migratory birds on the bank of the river. A wide extent of wildlife can be seen at Chapramari, which includes elephants, gaurs (Indian bison), leopards, different types of deer, including spotted deer, chital, sambar and barking deer, wild boars, and so on. You can even see one-horned rhinoceros if you are lucky enough. This forest is blessed with rich flora and fauna. The Jungle Safaris are amazing.

Attraction

The main attraction of Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary is the watchtower. From there, visitors can spot a herd of wild elephants in their natural habitat along with other wild inhabitants like wild boars, barking deer, gaur, and sambar. Overseeing the shimmering water of the river, Murti Chapramari Watchtower is another place for bird watching in Dooars. During the winter season, migratory birds are seen flocking over the river bank Murti. This whole thing makes Chapramari a birding paradise for the craving bird watcher. The jeep Safari through the Jungle is another attraction for visitors as they can spot many wildlife creatures while passing the forest. This is a famous activity for tourists. In recent years, Chapramari, with its green forest, has become one of the famous destinations of Dooars. Chapramari is possessed with a fascinating ecology. The surrounding Murti River and Jaldhaka River added more charm to its beauty.

History

In 1896, an imperial forest service administrator, D.H.E. Sander, first sent a proposal to the English-dominated Government of India that Chapramari could be developed into a tourism center. In 1895, the area was declared a national reserve forest under the Indian Forest Act. In 1939, the name Chapramari Wildlife Reserve came to be used, while the Government of India, in 1998, gave it the status of a national wildlife sanctuary. The name of the region comes from ‘Chapra,’ a variety of small fishes found in northern Bengal, and ‘Mari,’ meaning ‘abundance.’Chapramari rewaters from the Teesta, the Neora, Jaldhaka, and the Murti. Now, this place is the center of attraction for many tourists. Every year, many nature lovers visit the place to enhance its beauty.

Inside/Outside Views

Inside the Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, from the watchtower, you can see many wildlife creatures, like birds and many animals, such as elephants, guars, boars, deer, etc. Inside the Sanctuary, the green forest will definitely fascinate you. It is rich with many flora and fauna. Jeep Safaris are available there. Through the Safari you can explore the whole forest. Near the Sanctuary, there are many homestays available. Outside the Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, there are many places to visit, like Gorumara National Park, which is 30 km away from Chapramari, and River Murti also, which is 9 km away from the Sanctuary. Also, Jhalong, Bindu, and Paren are the places outside the Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary where one can visit and enjoy the calmness of nature.

How to Reach

By train: Malbazar Railway Station is the nearest railway to Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary. From there, it takes a few minutes to get to the sanctuary.

By bus: Chalsa is the nearest place to get to the Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary. Buses are available from Chalsa to Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary.

By air: The nearest airport to Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary is Bagdogra International Airport, which is 102 km away and is in Siliguri.

Tips for Travellers

Any time would be good to visit the forest except during the monsoon. Every year, all the forests of the Dooars region remain closed from 15th June to 15th September.
Don’t forget to go on a Jeep Safari to fully enjoy nature and its greenery.
While going on a safari, don’t forget to bring some snacks with you as there will be no food in the forest. At the same time, try to carry a water bottle in your bag.
Don’t do any harm to the wildlife creatures.
As you are going to have the jungle safaris, be careful about the animals. Try to remain a safe distance from them.

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