Buxa Tiger Reserve

A beautiful location in the lap of nature interspersed with the River Jayanti, mountains and dense forests—that’s Buxa for you. The area is however more popular for Buxa Tiger Reserve, which is one of its kind in eastern Himalayas. Situated in Alipurduar, the reserve actually consists of the former Buxa Forest Division and a part of the Cooch Behar Forest Division. It was set up in the year 1983 and was given the status of a national park in 1992.
The reserve’s rich biodiversity has been attracting tourists for years now and has become a popular escape for tired souls who love to relax in the lap of nature. The area, approximately 760 sq km, encompasses a mix of different types of forests—riverine, savannah, evergreen, sal and others. The topography and climate not only supports a rich variety of plant species but also animals. Visitors can spot mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fishes, such as tigers, civets, red jungle fowls, leopards, elephants, gaurs, porcupines, rhesus macaque, mahseer, tortoise and butterflies. Buxa is also an absolute delight for birdwatchers. Birds like red stars, wagtails, fork-tails, ibisbill, great pied hornbills, and the trans-Himalayan migratory goosander can be spotted here. A number of migratory birds too make Buxa their temporary home, such as gargani teal, common teal, white-eyed pochard and the large whistling teal at the Narathali Lake. The black-necked crane, which is a rarity in India, can be spotted in Buxa during winters. Besides, visitors can also explore other attractions of the region, such as Buxa Fort, Jayanti and Rajabhatkhawa. For accommodation, homestays and resorts are available in the region. Buxa Tiger Reserve, a peaceful retreat, is definitely a not-to-miss attraction during a visit to Dooars.