I got pregnant with the idea of making tour to DOOARS months back when
Paromita and Kuntal da asked me to frame up a tour to DOOARS. Dooars for
me was a land full of mystery and adventure , without much knowledge
of the place i dipped into my research work and the more I read about
the place , system of tourism , and the periphery of tourism there, the
more I got confuse as it is not like other places where i generally make
tours.I t is huge , generally people understand Dooars by Gorumara and
Jaldapara but believe me it is much more than it is usually think about.
It is a world of nature within a world of its own, a world completely
engrossed in its own charm and one who will be able to invade its heart
will come out as a true winner. Winner means not saying others that he/
she have seen this , that wild life out there , winner mean in true
sense he/ she has been able to catch up the pulse which is beating
inside it. The jungles of Jayanti , Chilapata and such places have so
many things to whisper if one could hear. I can tell a tale of pages on
the life energy of DOOARS but lets not bore you all and get straight
inside our DOOARS DIARY.
FOR
THOSE WHO ARE NOT SO ACQUAINTED WITH DOOARS ... straight from Wikipedia
"The
Dooars or Duars (Pron: ˌdu:ˈɑ:z) (Bengali: ডুয়ার্স; Nepali: डुवर्स) are the floodplains and foothills of the eastern Himalayas in North-East India around Bhutan. Duar means 'door' in Assamese, Bengali, Nepali, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Magahi and Telugu languages, and the region forms the
gateway to Bhutan from India. There are 18 passages or
gateways through which the Bhutanese people can communicate with the people
living in the plains. This region is divided by the Sankosh river into the Eastern and the Western
Dooars, consisting of an area of 8,800 km² (3,400 sq mi). The Western
Dooars is known as the Bengal Dooars and the Eastern Dooars as the Assam
Dooars. Dooars is synonymous with the term Terai
used in Nepal and northern India and form the only
nitrate rich soil in India."
"
Forests
and animals
A
number of rare endangered species of animals like tiger,
rhinoceros and elephant make their habitat in the forests of the
Dooars. Other animals includes different types of deer,
bison, birds and reptiles. A railway line runs
through the tea gardens and the various protected areas and a number of
elephants have been killed in collisions with trains."
Date
of Journey : 21st December ' 2013 by Kamrup Express from Howrah ,
destination station : New Alipur Duar. TOUR MEMBERS : Priti Kona
Dutta , Tripti Mukherjee , Rita Banerjee , Anangajit Chatterjee ,
Suparna Chatterjee , Tirtha Roy , Mahuya Roy , Hrishita Roy , Kuntal Roy
, Paramita Roy , Shuvam Roy and Subhas Das, Moumita Mukherjee ,Kuhak
Das.
22nd Dec : REACHED NEW ALIPUR DUAR .Finally our black rubbers soles touch the
road through the undulating hill slopes, widespread mushrooming green tea
gardens divided by babbling mountain brooks, sky-scraping Sal forests
fortifying the humble tribal settlements, vast grazing lands with royal
presence of the great Himalayan ranges in the very horizon as a natural
backdrop kissing the clear blue sky, you should be delighted to realise that
you’re driving into Dooars! -
1st day of the tour and we drove into CHILAPATA JUNGLE CAMP , a group of
cottages built keeping in mind eco tourism concept. There are two types
of cottage , Bamboo and Elephant , as the name suggest bamboo cottage
is toally made of bamboo but the inside is quite comfy and elegant.
Elephant cottage are so called as Elephant get scared by this type of
two storied cottages .
Bamboo Cottages In Chilapata
 |
| Our NOOK at chilapata | | | |
|
22nd December , evening we all rolled on into open zypsies and warmed up
ourselves for the first day jungle Safari...few minutes gone and we
witness oursleves within deep , dense forest of Chilapata. Our guide was
busy giving the detail of the forest fauna while our eyes were gazing
for the sight of wildness. The zypsies in which our other group was
seating had a competent guide and driver , they waited until all the car
passes and eventually drove into the jungle. While our car witnessed
only 1 wild Bison , Kuntal da'S group witnessd Bison, Elephant , and
last of all an wild , anguished tusker.They said the sight was immensely
fearful as the elephant was trumpeting and giving final warning before
attack. They flew from the palace directly to Jungle camp.The little one
, Tatai got so scared that he decided to leave half way the tour of
DOOARS.. and run straight to SANTOSHPUR.
THE DAY ENDED WITH CHICKEN AND VEG PAKORAS , TEA FOLLOWED WITH "hebby"
ADDA IN THE OPEN AIR DINING AREA OF CHILAPATA JUNGLE CAMP.
23rd December was a busy- fizzy day as after an early breakfast we
rolled into our vehicle for a day long tour to Raymatang, Jayanti ,
Core forest area of Jayanti , Buxa , Pukhori , etc.the most enjoyable
part of this day was venturing into the deep woods of JAYANTI , the
jungle in Jayanti really catalyzed goose bumps . Its dense, and we felt
the deepness , the smell and the sound of the jungles it is still not
invaded by tourists and our car driver took us deep into the jungle ,
for actually making us feel the ambiance of jungle . Though there was
not much sighting except a golden jackal which peeped in and out but
the night safari was excellent. and thrilling.
 |
| RAYMATANG TREK |
24th
December : It
was a busy day again. Bidding bye to Chilapata to set for our nest
destination. THE SHOW MUST GO ON. We got up early, get ourselves ready
very fast, had some quick
break fast, came out of the Hotel and hopped in the waiting cab . Today
we are going to Madarihat , where will stay for a night and the
following morning will enjoy ELEPHANT SAFARI of Jaldapara. HEAVEN IN
JALDAPARA , was our resort in JALDAPARA . Backyard of the hotel is
accompanied with enough playing area for children , well mantianed lawn
and an empty swimming pool. Well the children and their parents enjoyed a
volley ball game out there. After lunch all the male members of the
tour , that is my hubby , Kuntal da, Tirtha Da and Anangajit da went to
buy tickets for ELEPHANT RIDE , next morning. The situation out there
was totally out of controll and we constantly got the feed back from the
hotel people as well as other tourists that it is next to impossible
to obtain tickets for elephant ride as it was a christmas time. They
even said that tickets are blacked by the touts @ 3000/- to 4000/- . So
we got sure that by no means we would be able to enjoy elephant ride and
we have suffice our needs with Zypsy safari only. But GOD was at our
side and Do not know how Subhas managed to mend new rules in the ticket
counter and ultimately we got 14 tickets out of total , 42 tickets. Even
the wardren of the forest Divn got surprised by these and applauded us.
I think some heroic ghost temporarily resided on Subhas's shoulder .
HA...Ha... :)
Next
morning , 25th December , it was still dark and chilled outside but our troop was full
of energy , beaming with confidence we hopped into our car and rolled on
towards the forest gate. After brief checking procedure at the gate we
are allowed to enter the reserve forest area, we reached HOLLONG BUNGLOW
at the break of the dawn. After much waiting , far there , we saw a
little baby elephant followed by her big mother . The sight was exotic.
and soon all the tourists lined up to capture this moment in their
lens. Least bothered by the attention the duo along with 4 other
elephants slowly proceeded towards us.
 |
FIRST SIGHT OF MOTHER AND BABY IN THE BREAKING DAWN... THEY TOOK US FOR A SAFARI INSIDE THE JUNGLE OF jaldapara
 HOLLONG BUGLOW , JALDAPARA
 DURING THE JUNGLE SAFARI IN JALDAPARA
WILD IN ITS ABODE.. PEACEFULLY ROAMING ABOUT
......... so we celebrated our CHRISTMAS with the wildness of Jaldapara Wild Life Sanctuary , I must say it wasa terrific time in the zjungle , you are searching for a wildlife and you know not you are watched and observed by one such. The silence of the Jungle speaks a lot if we could and lend our attention to it.
Wrapping up with Jaldapara , 26th December we headed towards our nest destination , that is ROCKY ISLAND IN SAMSING AREA. Rocky Island as the name suggests is a place with full of boulders and huge rocks which are indicatively used by the owner of Rocky Island Adventure Camp to set up a settlement for the tourists. It is so made that the natural beauty and rustic ambiance is not disturbed , it is as if you are sleeping with the nature just with a low height roof above you. I was little stressed while we got entry into the camp as it is marvellous but being an adventure camp it provides the guest with basic amenities devoid of any Luxury. But to my utmost surprise I observed all my guests liked the place the most , the mountains , river Murti flowing by , the huge rocks menlted all their to needs and filled up their heart with the joy of leaving with Nature. Even the kids group enjoyed thoroughly , they were just ELATED. My stressed heart relaxed and thanked NATURE which have the power to engross all in its charm.
PICTURE OF ROCKY ISLAND FOLLOWS :
ENJOYMENT AT ROCKY ISLAND
CHRISTMAS celebration with Kids
musical chair competition on go..
Camp Fire at Rocky
Camping Site at Rocky
TACKLING OWNSELF AT A HANGING BRIDGE IN rOCKY iSLAND, sAMSING
Offering helping hands to locals
Medla Ticket Counter in Gorumara forest.. waiting for entry
Tickets done and we were all set to fire up the floor with furning energy insdie to have a glimpse of the wild life of GORUMARA. Our energy level doubled to see the " MOser Gari Ferri" ride which took us towards the tower. We , specifically our group of children were overexcitied to have this unique ride and the beauty of the kaccha road with tea garden one side and forest the other is awesome.Let's have a look of it .. down..
Our group were the first among many to reach the tower and we took a comfy position to watch the wild life . But to our utmost dismay we were not allowed to be a t peace as after few minutes gangs of tourists crowded the Tower and the three storeyed tower more became a fish market than a watch tower. My husband and some members of our troop tried to pull up silence but their effort went in vain . We could not see much wild life till then except a happy and gay Peacock which constantly drew attraction of the tourists and not paying any heed to their adoration. Well , then we played a trick , suddenly Tirtha da, the most witty member of my group said us " lets go for the tribal dance show as here it is nothing to see more and moreover there we will be served with tea and snacks" , My husband and Kuntal da too second his opinion . And yeahhhhh ! the crowd began to loose down , mnay people got engrossed in the trick we played upon them , after few minutes we were the only group in the whole watch tower, it was about to get dark and the serenity and silence of the place now touched our inner being. Well to add a feather to our feelin there came a HUGE RHINO and just came to close to our watch tower, HE KEPT ON STARING AT US. We were amazed to see the giant being standing infront of us, he was just a fence apart and anytime if he wishes he could violate the guarding of the fence and come to us. But no nothing such happened and we left him in peace , in his abode and rushed towards the Tribal Dance show. This time no joking!.
LAST DAY OF THE TOUR AND WE UTILIZED IT TO THE FULLEST , HAD A TREK IN THE NEIGHBOURING MOUNTAINS , BATHED AND ENJOYED IN RIVER MURTI FLOWING ALONG ROCKY ISLAND AND THEN PACKED OURSELVES AND OUR EVER HUNGRY TRAVELLING MIND FOR RETURN JOURNEY.
DOOARS FOR ME WAS A MYSTERIOUS JOURNEY TO THE LAND OF WILD AND I ALONG WITH MY TOUR MEMBERS ENJOYED IT THOROUGHLY . HOPE YOU TOO HAVE A GOOD TIME READING IT.
VISIT DOOARS TO LISTEN TO THE MUSIC OF JUNGLE.
|
|
CHilapata Jungle Safari
