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About Dooars...
Dooars is one of the very few places left in the country where nature is so lavish of her green facilities. The unending stretch of virgin forests is cress-crossed by the River Teesta and her innumerable tributaries. Looking like molten silver against their setting sun, beautiful motor able roads cut through the deep forests rich with wild life, mauve hills stand at the end of graceful plains. The forest looks the way the unknown birds in them sings. The melody of the grooves forces you to surrender the sophistries you so carefully cultivated in the city. After a day's journey through the splendid scenery, a happy twilight will bid you retire in the cozy comfort of luxurious log cabins, and leave for you a million dreams of the glorious morrow, that is the Dooars. A land that loads you with the gifts of nature.
Places To Visit...
Garumara National Park
This park is located in the Dooars region of Jalpaiguri district. River Murti, Jaldhaka and Ingdong have passed through this national park. In the year 1949, Garumara Forest was declared as wildlife sanctuary when it was a small forest. Later in the year 1992, it was declared as a National Park, comprising of 89 kms. of diverse forest.Lataguri is the nearest small Tourist Strip near Garumara National park. Private Resorts / Accommodation are available here. Tourist may visit Garumara in day time staying at Lataguri. Day visit permission to the National Park may be obtained from : Nature Interpretation Centre, Department of Forest 9Govt. of West Bengal), Lataguri
Chapramari Forest
Chapramari is off National Highway 31 from Khunia More on the way to Jaldapara. It can also be approached from the metre gauge railway stations to Chalsa or Nagrakata. There is the Chapramari Forest Bungalow for accommodation. Permission to stay at rest house may be obtained from Divisional Forest Officer, "Aranya Bhawan", Jalpaiguri.
Buxa Tiger Reserve
175 km from Siliguri. The name "Buxa Tiger" has been derived from Buxa Fort ('Buxa Duar' - a fort at an altitude of 867 metres on the Sinchula Range guarding the most important of the eleven routes into Bhutan), which once was used for detainees during freedom movement of India. This Tiger Reserve comprises the forest area of Rajabhatkhawa, Nimati, Barobisha, Rydak, Raimatang Jainti, Buxaduar and Bhutanghat. The main rivers are Sankosh, Raidak, Jayanti, Churnia, Turturi, Phashkhawa, Dima and Nonani. Area of the Tiger Reserve is 759 sq. km. with a core area of 331 sq. km. Buxa Tiger Reserve was set up in the year 1982-'83, which later in the year 1992, January, was declared a National Park.
Malbazar
In the north-west of the Dooars and about 50 km. from Siliguri, a scenic spot surrounded by lush green tea gardens is known as Malbazar.
Transport : Regular Bus service available from Dooars Bus Stand at Sevoke Road in Siliguri. Train journey from siliguri to Malbazar is also enjoyable.
Murti
Another tourist spot near Lataguri is Murti Forest Resort. This centre is about 9 km from Malbazar and 8 km from Chalsa situated on the bank of Murti river. This resort has double-bedded room and dormitory accommodation
Bindu
About 107 km. from Siliguri. The last village of West Bengal in Indo-Bhutan border, located on the bank of river Jaldhaka. Journey to Bindu through Chapramari Forest is an awful experience. Next place Gairibus comes on your way, where Diascorrea - a medicine plant is grown.
Totopara
30 km from Madarihat, a small village on the banks of the river Torsha near Bhutan border is the only habitation now of the Dooars aboriginals - the Totos. Their number has dwindled to less than a hundred now. A tea garden near Banarhat also bears the name Totopara, probably a survival from days when Toto settlements were more numerous.
