Neora Valley National Park

Neora Valley National Park नेउरा भेल्ली राष्ट्रीय उद्यान নেওরা ভ্যালি জাতীয় উদ্যান
—  national park  —
IUCN Category II (National Park)
A view of the park
Neora Valley National Park Location of Neora Valley National Park in West Bengal and India
Coordinates	27°04′N 88°42′E / 27.06°N 88.7°E / 27.06; 88.7Coordinates: 27°04′N 88°42′E / 27.06°N 88.7°E / 27.06; 88.7
Country	India
State	West Bengal
District(s)	Darjeeling
Established	1986
Nearest city	Lava
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	88 square kilometres (34 sq mi) • 2,200 metres (7,200 ft)
Visitation	NA (2005-06)
Governing body	Government of India, Government of West Bengal

Neora Valley National Park (Bengali: নেওরা ভ্যালি জাতীয় উদ্যান Neora Bhêli Jatio Uddan) (Nepali: नेउरा भेल्ली राष्ट्रीय उद्यान Neurā Bhelli Rāsṭriya Udyān) is situated in the Kalimpong subdivision under Darjeeling District, West Bengal, India and was established in 1986. It spreads over an area of 88 km² and is one of the richest biological zones in the entire Northeast. It is the land of the elegant Red Panda in the pristine undisturbed natural habitat with rugged inaccessible hilly terrain and rich diverse flora and fauna making this park an important wilderness zone.

Geography

Neora River

The park is spread over 88 km². The forest in Neora Valley has such luxurious growth that even sunlight finds it difficult to touch the ground. Much of the park is still inaccessible, making it an adventurous place for the nature lovers/trekkers who can take the challenge to explore the still-unknown terrain in the Kalimpong hills. Virgin natural forests, dense bamboo groves, colourful canopy of Rhododendron trees, lush green valley, meandering rivers and streams with snowcapped mountains in the backdrop form a picturesque landscape. The park reaches up to an elevation of 10600 ft at Rechela Danda, the highest point of Neora Valley National Park, which borders Sikkim and Bhutan. The Neora River is the major water source for Kalimpong town.^[1]

Flora

A flower in the park

Neora Valley, one of the least tracts of virgin wilderness in the country, sustains a unique ecosystem where tropical, sub-tropical, sub-temperate, and temperate vegetative system still harbours a wealth of flora and fauna. The forests consists of mixed species like rhododendron, bamboo, oak, ferns, sal, etc. The valley also has numerous species of orchids.

Fauna

Mammals

The fauna consists of endangered species such as the clouded leopard, red panda, and musk deer. Other species are leopard, five species of civet, black bear, sloth bear, golden cat, wild boar, leopard cat, goral, serow, barking deer, sambar, Himalayan flying squirrel and thar.

Birds

Lava and the Neora Valley National Park are birders' paradise; some of India's most sought-after birds are found here. The semi-evergreen forests between 1600 m and 2700 m is the home of several rarities like Rufous-throated Partridge, Satyr Tragopan, Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Bay Woodpecker, Golden-throated Barbet, Hodgson's Hawk Cuckoo, Lesser Cuckoo, Brown Wood Owl, Ashy Wood Pigeon, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Jerdon's Baza, Black Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Dark-throated Thrush, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, White-gorgeted Flycatcher, White-browed Bush Robin, White-tailed Robin, Yellow-browed Tit, Striated Bulbul, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Black-faced Warbler, Black-faced Laughingthrush, Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Scaly-breasted Wren-Babbler, Pygmy Wren-Babbler, Rufous-fronted Babbler, Black-headed Shrike Babbler, White-browed Shrike Babbler, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Brown Parrotbill, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Maroon-backed Accentor, Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Red-headed Bullfinch, Gold-naped Finch and many other rarities.

Others

Sun set in Neora Valley

King cobra, common cobra krait, green pit viper, blind snake and lizards are also found. Many colourful insects such as butterflies, moths, beetles, bees, wasps, bugs and cicadas are added attractions of the valley.

Approach

• Nearest Town: Lava
• Nearest City: Kalimpong
• Air: Nearest airport is Bagdogra (100 km)
• Rail: Nearest railhead is Darjeeling (30 km)(narrow gauge), New Jalpaiguri (132 km) (broad gauge)
• Road: There are buses available from Siliguri to Kalimpong (100 km) which is 32 km away from the entry point Lava. Another route is from Siliguri - Chalsa (65 km) - Samsing (18 km). The park can be reached by road from Samsing.

References

1. ^ [1], About Neora Valley.

External Links

• UNESCO World Heritage Centre - Tentative List