Singalila National Park

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
type = national park
native_name = Singalila National Park
other_name = শিন্গ্যালিয়া জাতীয় উদ্দ্যান
iucn_category = II
state_name = West Bengal
district= "'Darjeeling
nearest_city = Manebhanjang
latd=27 |latm=14 |lats=00 |longd=88 |longm=00 |longs=07
skyline =
skyline_caption = |altitude=3630
area_total=78.6
precip=
temp_summer=
temp_winter=
|established_title = Established
established_date = 1986
blank_title_1 = Visitation
blank_value_1 = (2005-06)
blank_title_2 = Governing body
blank_value_2 = Government of India, Government of West Bengal
inset_map_marker = yes
website=

Singalila National Park (Bengali: শিন্গ্যালিয়া জাতীয় উদ্দ্যান) is a national park of India located on the Singalila Ridge at an altitude of more than 7000 feet above sea level, in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. It is well known for the trekking route to Sandakphu that runs through it.

History of the park

The park was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1986, and was made an Indian National Park in 1992. The region had long been used as the trekking route from Manebhanjang to Sandakphu (the highest peak of West Bengal), and Phalut.

Geography of the park

Political Geography: The park is located in the Darjeeling subdivision, Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India. It is bordered on the north by the state of Sikkim and on the west by the country of Nepal.

Physical Geography: The park is part of the Eastern Himalayas. The Singalila Ridge, which runs roughly North to South and separates Himalayan West Bengal from the other Eastern Himalayan ranges to the west of it. The two highest peaks of West Bengal, Sandakphu (3630 m) and Phalut (3600 m) are located on the ridge and inside the park. River Rammam and River Sirikhola flow through the park.

Human history of the park

The park has no significant history of human settlement. However, small settlements have grown up along the trekking route to Sandakphu and Phalut. There is a reasonably large village at Kala Pokhri, around the lake of the same name. The Singalila Ridge was used as an approach route by the first documented mountaineering team which unsuccessfully attempted to climb Kanchenjunga in 1905. The team was led by Jules Jacot-Guillarmod and the famous occultist Aleister Crowley.

Natural history of the park

Biomes

The national park falls in the Indomalaya ecozone, and the biomes corresponding to the ecozone which are present in the park are :

* Eastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forests of the Temperate coniferous forests biome
* Eastern Himalayan broadleaf forests of the Temperate broadleaf and mixed forests biome
* Himalayan subtropical pine forests of the Subtropical coniferous forest biome

The subtropical biome roughly exists in the altitude range of 1800 m to 3000 m, and the temperate biome exists in the altitude range of 3000 m to 4500 m.

Flora

Thick bamboo, oak, magnolia and rhododendron forest between 2000 and 3600 m cover the Singalila Ridge. There are two seasons of wildflower bloom - one in spring (March - April) when the Rhododendrons bloom, and another in the post-monsoon season (around October), when the lower forests bloom (Primula, Geranium, Saxifraga, Bistort, Senecio, Cotoneaster and numerous orchids). Sandakphu is known as the "mountain of poisonous plants" due to the large concentration of Himalayan Cobra Lilies (Arisaema) which grow there.

Fauna

Mammals: The park has a number of small mammals including the Red Panda, Leopard Cat, Barking Deer, Yellow-throated Marten, Wild Boar, Pangolin and the Pika. Larger mammals include the Himalayan Black Bear, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Serow and the Takin. Tigers occasionally wander into the area, but do not have a large enough prey base to make residence in these forests feasible.

Birds: The park is a birder's delight with over 120 species recorded including many rare and exotic species like the Scarlet Minivet, Kalij Pheasant, Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Brown and Fulvous Parrotbills, Rufous-vented Tit, and Old World babblers like the Fire-tailed Myzornis and the Golden-breasted Fulvetta. The park is also on the flyway of many migratory birds.

Reptiles and Amphibians: The endangered Himalayan Newt frequents the region, and congregates around the lakes of Jore Pokhri, Sukhia Pokhri and nearby lakes to reproduce. Jore Pokhri and Sukhia Pokhri are within 20 km of the park boundary, and are protected wildlife sanctuaries.

Conservation issues

The major issues at the park are trash collection on trekking routes and ensuring minimal damage of flora by trekkers, as flora at such high altitudes tend to grow really slowly. Grazing of yak and cattle from neighbouring villages can also be a problem. Forest fires can be a threat to the park, especially in Spring when the accumulated debris from winter can be a hazard. A forest fire swept through the national park on March 6, 2006.

Even though the national park has a resident Red Panda population of only about 20 - 25 members, Project Red Panda (funded by the Central Zoo Authority) chose Singalila National Park for reintroduction of Red Pandas from its captive breeding program at the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park in Darjeeling, mainly due to reasons of proximity. Two females, Sweety and Milli, were released in November 2004. Milli was killed by a leopard, but Sweety adapted to the wild and gave birth to an offspring - the first such successful re-entry for Red Panda. [http://www.telegraphindia.com/1041208/asp/nation/story_4100068.asp]

The reintroduction was filmed by noted Indian filmmakers Rajesh Bedi and Naresh Bedi. The documentary, named Cherub of the Mist, won the Best Conservation and Environmental Film at the 29th International Wildlife Film Festival in Montana. [http://in.news.yahoo.com/060409/211/63fo7.html]

Park-specific information

The park is a camper's delight as it is largely free of viscious animals and snakes, making it the most popular family camping destination in the eastern Himalaya.The two seasons to visit the park are in Spring (March - May) and post Monsoon (mid September to early December). The park is closed to tourists from June 16 to September 15 every year on account of the monsoons.

Activities

Trekking and camping : The trek along the Singalila Ridge to Sandakphu and Phalut is one of the most popular ones in the Eastern Himalayas, due to the grand vistas of the Kangchenjunga range, and the Everest range which can be seen from the ridge, and also for the seasonal wildflower blooms and birding. Treks begin at Manebhanjan which is 51 km (1.5 hrs by road) from Darjeeling. The trekking routes inside the National Park have 4 legs or stages.

* Manebhanjan to Meghma (2600 m): This is a 4 hour trek through the lower forest
* Meghma to Gairibans (2621 m): There are two alternative trekking routes. Both go via Tonglu (3070 m) and Tumling (2900 m). The boundary of the national park passes though Tomling and a checkpost is located there. From Tumling, a shorter trail cuts through Nepal and Jaubari (2750 m).
* Gairibans to Sandakphu (3636 m): This is a steep 4 hour climb up. Roughly half way up the climb is the village of Kala Pokhri (3186 m).
* Sandakphu to Phalut (3600 m): This is the most pristine stretch of the trek, offering great views of Kanchenjunga and Mt. Everest. It is a one day trek via Sabarkum (3536 m) covering 21 km. But the main problem of this sandakphu Phalut route is there is no water source in between so the trekker have to carry enough water to reach phalut.

The descent from Sandakphu can be accomplished in several ways:

* Retracing the way back to Manebhanjan
* A steep descent to the village of Sirikhola on the banks of the River Sirikhola, via Gurdum (2300 m), and from there to Rimbik.
* There is now a 4WD motorable road to Sandakphu, so one can hire a cab down to Manebhanjan and Darjeeling via Tomling and Tonglu if needed. The drive on the gravel road, however, is very arduous.

The descent from Phalut can also be accomplished in several ways:

* Retracing the way back to Manebhanjan
* A descent down to Sirikhola along high altitude meadows which have seasonal blooms. The descent is via Sabarkum and the abandoned village of Molley. A further trek leads one to the scenic village of Rimbik, which is motorable.
* The most popular descent is via the villages of Gorkey (on the banks of the River Rammam) and Samanden down to the village of Rammam. The trail then leads to Rimbik, and is shorter than the route via Sirikhola.

Birding: The Singalila National Park is one of the most popular birding spots in the Eastern Himalayas, since it attracts a large number of birds due to its seasonal blooms. Blooming seasons are the best times to see birds.

Lodging

Sailung Tea House is a small cozy place to stay while at Meghma.There are two roomed guest houses and trekkers' huts at Tonglu, Gairibans, Sandakphu, Phalut, Kala Pokhri and several other locations in the park, run by the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council. Numerous guest houses and lodging are available at Manebhanjan. The preferred way to visit the park is to stay in Darjeeling and camp inside the national park.

Approach

* Nearest airport:
**Bagdogra Airport, Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal
**Gangtok Helipad, East Sikkim district, Sikkim
* Nearest railhead:
**narrow gauge: Ghum, West Bengal
**Standard Gauge: New Jalpaiguri, West Bengal
* Nearest highway: NH 31A (Sivok - Gangtok) passes through Darjeeling (which is 1.5 hours by car from Manebhanjan)
* Nearest town: Manebhanjan - the access point for Rimbik and Tumling, the gateways to the park
* Nearest city: Darjeeling

References

* [http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial/im/im0501_full.html World Wildlife Fund Ecoregion document] , which publishes material from the following book:
*cite book|last=Wikramanayake|first=Eric|coauthors=et al.|title=Terrestrial Ecoregions of the Indo-Pacific: A Conservation Assessment|year=2002|publisher=Island Press|location=Washington, D.C.|id=ISBN 1-55963-923-7
* [http://www.offthefence.com/content/programme.php?ID=374 Cherub of the Mist] , a documentary