Incredible India! Jaldapara National Park, West Bengal

Little known and lying at the foot of the Bhutan hills (Eastern Himalayas), the Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary with its panoramic view, covering an area of 216 sq. km., has special significance by maintaining remnants of terai grasslands harboring endangered Great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis).

Established in 1941, it is situated in Alipurduar, sub division of Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal. The river Tosha flows through this rain forest sanctuary. The Malangi river also flows nearby from east to west.

The Sanctuary provides extensive grasslands to the wild animals, becoming the last refuge to a wide variety of mammals, amphibians, reptiles and birds. The major animals seen in the Sanctuary are Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Sambhar, Cheetal, Hog Deer, Barking Deer, Wild Pig, Indian Gaur, Hispid Hare and a variety of avifauna including endangered Bengal florican. The sanctuary has 33 species of mammals, 240 species of birds, 16 species of reptiles, 8 species of turtles and 30 species of fishes. Riding elephants is the only way to move inside this forest.

How to Reach Jaldapara National Park

Bus and taxi services available from SIliguri (140 kms – 4 hours) and Jalpaiguri to reach this place. Bagdogra  Airport is about 140 kms from Madarihat (nearby township).

Wildlife Park and Sanctuaries Entry Charges

The vast countryside of India is dotted with thousand acres of forest that serve as the habitat of a variety of wildlife. The government of India and state governments have designated many forest areas across the country as wildlife parks and sanctuaries. Along with saving the valuable animals for poaching, the national parks and sanctuaries provide common people, wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers a wonderful chance to closely see the varied wildlife without any danger or chances of attack from fierce beasts. Whether, you are a domestic traveler or foreigner, it is always good to know the Wildlife Parks and Sanctuaries entry charges before proceeding on a wildlife trip.

Below we are providing the approx / exact entry charges of India’s famous wildlife parks and sanctuaries.

Wildlife Parks in Assam Entrance Charges

Kaziranga National Park – Rs. 20 (Indian) - Rs 250 (Foreigner)

Manas National Park – Rs. 20 (Indian) - Rs 250 (Foreigner)

Orang National Park – Rs. 20 (Indian) - Rs 250 (Foreigner)

Wildlife Parks in Gujarat Charges

Gir National Park & Sanctuary – Rs. 30 (Indian) - Rs 250 / US $ 5 (Foreigner)

Velavadar National Park – Rs. 30 (Indian) - Rs 250 / US $ 5 (Foreigner)

Little Rann Of Kutch - Rs. 30 (Indian) - Rs 250 / US $ 5 (Foreigner)

Wildlife Parks in Rajasthan Entry Charges

Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary - Rs 80 (Foreigner)

Desert National Park - Rs 80 (Foreigner)

Sambhar Salt Lake - Rs 80 (Foreigner) 

Keoladeo Ghana National Park - Rs 200 (Foreigner)

Sariska National Park - Rs 200 (Foreigner)

Ranthambore National Park - Rs 200(Foreigner)

Wildlife Park in Goa Entry Charges

Mollem National Park In Goa - Rs 20 (Indian) / Foreigner (not available)

Wildlife Parks in Himachal Pradesh Entry Charges

Great Himalayan National Park - Rs. 10 (Indian) - Rs 200 (Foreigner)

Pin Valley National Park - Rs 100 (Foreigner – may vary)

Wildlife Parks in Jammu and Kashmir Entry Charges

Hemis National Park - Rs 20 (Indian) / Foreigner (Not available)

Wildlife Parks in Karnataka Entry Charges

Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary - Rs 40 (Indian)

Nagarhole National Park - Rs 150 (Foreigner)

Wildlife Parks in Kerala Entry Charges

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary - Rs 100 (Foreigner)

Parambikulam Sanctuary - Rs 5 (Indian)

Chimmony Wilidlife Sanctuary - Rs 10 (Indian)

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary - Rs 10 (Indian)

Eravikulam National Park - Rs 200 (Foreigner)

Periyar Tiger Reserve - Rs 300 (Foreigner)

Wildlife National Parks in Madhya Pradesh Charges

Panna National Park - Rs. 40 (Indian) - Rs 500 / US $ 10 (Foreigner)

Bandhavgarh National Park - Rs 500 (Foreigner)

Kanha National Park - Rs 500 (Foreigner)

Pench National Park - Rs 500 (Foreigner)

Wildlife Parks in Orissa Entry Charges

Simlipal Tiger Reserve - Rs 1,000 (Foreigner)

Bhitarkanika National Park - Rs 1,000 (Foreigner)

Wildlife Park in Uttar Pradesh Entry Charges

Dudhwa National Park - Rs 50 (Foreigner)

Wildlife Parks in Uttaranchal Entry Charges

Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary - Rs 100 (Foreigner)

Rajaji National Park - Rs 350 (Foreigner)

Corbett National Park - Rs 400 (Foreigner)

Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu Entry Charges

Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary - Rs 15 (Indian)

Wildlife Parks in West Bengal Entry Charges

Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary - Rs 100 (Foreigner)

Sunderbans Tiger Reserve - Rs 150 (Foreigner)

Kindly note, the entry charges don’t include safari charges or other additional charges charged by the park authority. The entry charges may also vary on the spot. India Travel Directory is not responsible for any change in entrance rates.

Wildlife in India

A geographically diversified land, India is bestowed with rich and varied wildlife. India’s forest cover includes tropical rainforest, coniferous forest, moist deciduous forest, dry deciduous forest etc. that provide shelter to a variety of wild animals.

 

In the pre-independence era there were vast wildlife areas all over India providing natural habitat to a variety of faunal and floral species. In the post-independence due to continuous poaching and other encroachment all these areas were in danger of extinction. To save the wildlife all these areas were designated as wildlife parks and sanctuaries. Now all over India there are several wildlife sanctuaries and national park whose areas extend over thousands of square kilometres. You can observe a variety of wildlife in the natural surroundings of Wildlife parks and sanctuaries.

Each sanctuary and national park supports several species of wildlife, while at the same time, some are well known for one particular species. In some wildlife sanctuaries you can even see rare or endangered species. Gir Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat is the only surviving home of the Asiatic lion, while Kaziranga and Manas national parks in Assam have significant population of the one-horned rhino. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala is best known for wild elephant. Thamin deer at Keibul Lamjao National Park in Manipur and blackbuck at Velvadhar in Gujarat are the only homes of these species. Apart from these, you can see tiger, and several other variety of wildanimals in these wildlife areas.

In the year 1973 Project Tiger was initiated in India that identified major areas inhabited by tigers. A significant increase in the tiger population was recored in areas protected by project tiger. Bandhavgarh and Kanha National Parks in Madhya Pradesh, Ranthambore and Sariska in Rajasthan, Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand and Dudhwa National Park in Uttar Pradesh are some of country’s best known tigers reserves. In addition to tigers, you can see other animal species such as lions, deers, elephants, nilgais etc.

Just 60 kms away from Agra, Bharatpur has the largest bird sanctuary in Asia. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is also known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park. Stretched over 29 sq km of swamps and marshes, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary has causeways which can be covered on foot or bicycle. Here you can see migratory waterbirds that include herons, ibis, pelicans, painted storks, egrets, openbilled storks and spoonbilss. Various species of ducks and geese migrate from places in Russia, that include the endangered Siberian crane.

Accessibility : All wildlife sanctuaries and national parks are accessible by road. Jeep Safari and Elephant Safari are offered in most of the big wildlife sanctuaries.

Accommodation : For accommodation jungle resorts and hotels are available close to wildlife sanctuaries.

Best Time to Visit : October to March is the most pleasant time to visit any sanctuary and national park in the country.

Some of India's famous wildlife sanctuaries and national parks include :

Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand)
Ranthambore National Park (Rajasthan)
Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary (Rajasthan)
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Rajashtan)

Kaziranga National Park (Assam)
Manas National Park (Assam)
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala)
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (Kerala)
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala)

Sunderban Tiger Reserve (West Bengal)
Bandhavgarh National Park (Madhya Pradesh)
Kanha National Park (Madhya Pradesh)
Panna National Park (Madhya Pradesh)

Gir Wildlife Sanctuary (Gujarat)
Dudhwa National Park (Uttar Pradesh)
Great Himalayan National Park (Himachal Pradesh)