The state of West Bengal is located in the eastern part of India. It has sea beaches, islands, hill stations, national parks and pilgrimages, which have beautified this state. These, along with Victoria Memorial, Sunderbans, St. Paul`s Cathedral, etc draw a plethora of tourists to this state. Wildlife Sanctuaries of West Bengal are no exception in this regard. These wildlife sanctuaries are described below.
Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary
Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Darjeeling district. It was established in the year 1976 and occupies an area of about 158 square kilometers. This sanctuary has variance in forest type ranging from riverain forests like Khayer-Sisoo to dense mixed-wet forest in the higher elevation in `Latpanchar` area of Kurseong hills. Some of the other occupants of the parks are Himalayan serow and Himalayan porcupine, Indian bison and chital.
Bethuadahari Wildlife Sanctuary
Bethuadahari Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Nakashipara area of Nadia District. It was established in 1980 and occupies an area of about 67 hectares. The aim behind its formation was the preservation of a portion of the central Gangetic alluvial ecozone. Some of the occupants of the park are spotted deer, jackal, Bengal fox, porcupine, birds like parakeets and barbets and reptiles and amphibians.
Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary
Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary is located about 30 kilometers from Chalsa and Lataguri in northern West Bengal. It was established in the year 1998. The sanctuary is covered by 960 hectares of forests. Elephant population at Chapramari has made it popular. This sanctuary is an ideal place for bird watchers.
Bibhutibhushan Wildlife Sanctuary
Bibhutibhushan Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in North 24 Parganas district, on the banks of the river Ichamati. It is spread over an area of about 68 square kilometers. The sanctuary houses deer, birds, rabbit and a large number of langurs. Enhancing the tourism aspect of the sanctuary are a children`s park, a small zoo and a tourist lodge of the forest department.
Ballabhpur Wildlife Sanctuary
Ballabhpur Wildlife Sanctuary is located near Shantiniketan in Bolpur subdivision of Birbhum district. It was established in 1977and occupies an area of about 2 square kilometers. Some of the inmates of the sanctuary are deer (like blackbuck and spotted deer), jackals and foxes.
Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary
Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary is a part of the `Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve`. The species which have been spotted in the sanctuary are spotted deer, wild boar and Bengal tigers.
Other Wildlife Sanctuaries of West Bengal
Some of the other wildlife sanctuaries of West Bengal are Jore Pokhri Wildlife Sanctuary, Sajnakhali Wildlife Sanctuary and Lothian Island Wildlife Sanctuary.
