NATIONAL PARKS OF INDIA

Buxa National Park is nestled along the Bhutan border in the Buxa hills of Jalpaiguri District of West Bengal.

Brief History
The park is named after the famous Buxa Fort that is located on the hills of the Sinchula Range. The fort was constructed for guarding the key routes to Bhutan. The national park was previously a tiger reserve and was referred to as Buxa Tiger Reserve. However, it was conferred national park status in 1992 by West Bengal government. The park is also known as Buxa Tiger Reserve.

Flora
Champa, Sal, Simul, Gamar and Chikrasi are endemic tree species here. Almost eight varieties of different forests such as Northern-tropical Evergreen Forest; Eastern Himalayan Sub-tropical Moist Hill Forest; Sub-Himalayan Secondary Wet Mixed Forest; Japanese Bhabar and Terai Sal; Eastern-Himalayan Wet Mixed Deciduous Forest; Japanese Sub-Montane Semi-evergreen Forest; Northern Dry Deciduous; and Savannah Woodland can be found here.

Fauna
Royal Bengal Tigers are the prime attraction of the Buxa Tiger Reserve. Other animals of the forest include Asian Elephant, Leopard cat, Chinese Pangolin, Regal Python, Hog deer, Hispid Hare, Antelopes, Giant Squirrels, etc.

Avian-fauna
Avian-fauna of the park include the Red Jungle Fowl, Ibisbill, Bengal Florican, Minivets, Large Whistling Teal, White Eyed Poachared, etc. In the year 2006, two new species of frog have been discovered here. Buxa National Park it is believed to posses the maximum number of fish species in the Northern Bengal.

Getting there
The closest bus terminal and railway station is at New Jalpaiguri. By road the park can also be accessed through NH31. Bagdogra airport is the closest aerodrome.

General Information
Accommodation is available in the WBFDC's forest rest houses located at Nimati, Rajabhatkhawa, Raidak, Barobisha, Buxaduar, Raimatang, Jayanti and Bhutanghat. Jayanti, (30 Km), Buxa (24km) and Rajabhatkhawa (17km) are important entry points to the reserve. Historic Buxa Fort and Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple are important tourist spots within the reserve.

Tourists Information
Address: Buxa National Park, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal- 736122
Phone: 03564-551129 / 03564- 56005, 66005
Best time to visit: October to April