Tiger – 32 (24 cubs)
Leopard – 70
Lessar Cat – 200 – 300
Civet – 200 – 300
Elephant – 85
Gaur (Bison) – 310
Barking Deer – 1100 – 1300
Hog Deer – 110
Spotted Deer – 450 – 550
Samber – 300 – 400
Pangolin – 190 – 290
Mongoose- 110 – 210
Porcupine – 50 – 70
Wild Boar – 2800 – 3200
Monkeys – 14800 – 15800
Peacock – 2300 – 2400
Jungle Foul – 2400 – 2600

Yes, after ten long years, this figures are reduced to a great extent, even you may even not even see a monkey during your whole tour, still the place itself is worth watching. Wide beds of jungle river, enchanting Rajabhatkhawa cottage, coloured species of Butterflies during your trek to Buxa Fort.

The Jayanti forest range covers around 780 sq km. It is about 25km from Alipurduar Junction and 15km from Rajabhatkhawa, which is the forest gate. The dense forest has teak, sal, akasmoni and sirish.

Buxa National Park, in the subdivision of Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri district, was set up in the year of 1982-83 and declared as National Park in the year 1992, situated at the north eastern corner of West Bengal bordering Bhutan and Assam.  The name “Buxa Tiger” has been derived from Buxa Fort – a fort at an altitude of 867 meters on the Sinchula Range guarding the most important of the eleven routes into Bhutan, which once was used for detainees during freedom movement of India. With an area of 759 sq km this picturesque reserve with its prodigious Terai, Bhabar as well as Hilly landscape, crisscrossed by numerous rivers and their tributaries, presents a breathtaking landscape.

The Phipsu Wildlife Sanctuary of Bhutan is contiguous to North of BTR. Manas Tiger Reserve lies on east of BTR. BTR, thus, serves as international corridor for elephant migration between India and Bhutan. The reserve encompasses as many as eight forest types.

Where to go:

Buxa fort: This  trek starts from Santrabari (914ft) to Buxaduar(2600 ft). A 5kms trek through the dense forested hills leads to Buxaduar Forest Bungalow. Accommodation is available here for the trekkers. Another 4 kms trek through the forest track leads to the Rover’s Point-the land of unknown birds (4500ft). It is difficult to ignore the lure of Rupam Valley in Bhutan, another 12 kms from there. colourful butterflies and orchids will be available through out your trek. In ancient times, this route was the main route for trade between Coochbehar/Rangpur and Bhutan/parts of Tibet. A Big Soccer Ground at the footsteps of Buxa Fort and many other nature’s wonders will definitely make you feel good. The remains of the Fort reiterates Government’s laxity in preserving our cultural heritage. Apart from this, the whole tour is enjoyable and within comfort level. Don’t forget to take Momo’s while you are in Buxaduar.

Accomodation : Forest Bungalow. Contact Deputy Field Directer (East), Buxa Tiger Reserve, PO – Alipurduar Court, Jalpaiguri, PIN – 736122, PH: 03564 256005.

Jayanti: At an autoricksaw from Rajabhatkhawa, Santrabari or Alipurduars stands Jayanti – the main attraction in the region. It remains dry for most of the year. One gets a panoramic view of the forest as well as the lower Himalayan range from the banks. If lucky enough, you may catch a glimpse of wild animals crossing the river or drinking water, too much crowded during important dates will spoil your animal watching, so avoid dates like 25th December, 26th January or other popular winter holidays. During my visit, I was left spellbound by the fact that almost 600 people enjoying Jayanti as Picnic, no restriction on alcohol consumption within the Forest area is another surpirise, although, we passed through two SSB checking camps. I have been to Corbett for a few times and this is simply unbelievable thereat. Lack in  level of consciousness is prominent. Possible view of Elephant, Spotted Deers, Leopard exists at Jayanti. A stalakite cave popularly known as ‘Jayanti Mahakal’ and ‘Pookri Pahar’ are well known destinations from Jayanti.

Accomodation : Forest Bungalow contains two Double Bed Rooms, three Suits with the name of Dhor Gour and Sambar and a 12 bed Dormitory, Contact Deputy Field Directer (East), Buxa Tiger Reserve, PO – Alipurduar Court, Jalpaiguri, PIN – 736122, PH: 03564 256005. Another good option is the CESC holiday home which can be booked from the Head Office of CESC at Kolkata. A Bungalow of Public Health Department can also be booked by getting into contact with Executive Engineer, PEH Directorate, Club Road, Jalpaiguri, PH: 03561-230659

Rajabhatkhawa: It is said that, after getting released from the hands of the King of Bhutan, the Maharaja of Coochbehar, Dhairjendra Narayan took his meal in the way of rice at this place. So, Raja Bhat Khawa. Enroute Jayanti from Alipurduars, you will have to stop at Rajabhatkhawa  for obtaining necessary permission and paying appropriate fees. it is only 12 kms from Jayanti and approachable by both road and rail form Siliguri (153kms) and Alipurduar (17 kms). Surrounded by dense forests of Buxa tiger reserve, Rajabhatkhawa is an ideal place for the wild life lovers. A watchtower deep inside the forest gives the best opportunity to view elephant, bison and even tiger. The Nature Interpretation Center at Rajabhatkhawa is another attraction. There is a small bazaar and a beautiful small rail station.

Accomodation : WBFDC Jungle Lodge. Booking:WBFDC, 6A, Raja Subodh Mullick Square, 7th Floor, Kolkata – 700013., Ph: 033-22370060 or Div. Manager, Buxa Loggin Division, PO – Alipurduar Court, Jalpaiguri, PIN – 736121, Ph: 03564 – 255004, 0353-25116306.

Suggested itinerary from Kolkata:

Day 1 – Board at Train from Kolkata preferably Kanchan Kanya / Uttarbanga Express as this will take the inner forest route and take you directly to Rajabhatkhawa.

Day 2 – Stay at Rajabhatkhawa, get necesary permissions etc, arrange vehicle for the next day.

Day 3 – Proceed to Jayanti, stay thereat, take chances of wild life views.

Day 4 – Stay at Jayanti and double your chances of wild life views.

Day 5 – Proceed early morning to Santrabari, start trek to Buxa Fort. You will reach there by afternoon. Make a halt there. A full moon night would be wonderfull.

Day 6 – Come down to Santrabari, proceed either to Rajabhatkhawa or to Alipurduars as per your Train bookings.

This is indeed a very good news for tourists from other states as they will now be able to visit the two most prime destinations in the state without any break journey.

Helicopter services are also available from Guwahati, Dibrugarh and Itanagar to Tawang, Ziro, Along, Daporijo, Pasighat, Roing, Anni, Tezu and Khonsa.

Rail – The nearest rail stations to Itanagar are Harmuty, Assam [33 kms] and North Lakhimpur, Assam [60 kms]. Both are connected to Guwahati by the Arunachal Express and onward buses can be found to Itanagar.

Road – Itanagar is 429 kms from Guwahati, traveling on MH 52. Direct buses are available along this route, and from Shillong [482 kms], Tezpur, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Tinsukhia and Nogaon.

2. Nagaland - Getting there – By Air – Flights arrive daily in Dimapur from Kolkata and Delhi. There are also connections to Guwahati.

Rail – Daily trains from Kolkata, Delhi, and other major cities. The Rajdhani Express and Brahmaputra mail run daily from Delhi to Dimapur via Guwahati.

Road – National Highways No. 36 and 39 connect Dimapur to Guwahati. All towns within the state are connected by Nagaland State Transport Services.

3. Tripura - Getting there – By Air – Agartala airport is connected by flights from Kolkata, Guwahati and Silchar.

Rail – The nearest station is Manughat [120 km from Agartala]. The Brahmaputra Mail, Kamrup Express, Barak Valley Express and Cachar Express run to Lumding, Assam. Passenger trains to Manughat then take 10 hours.

Road – Bus services are available from Guwahati, 597 km away, and Shillong, 497 km away.

4. Mizoram - Getting there – By Air – Lengpui, Aizawal is connected by air with Kolkata, the other option is to fly to Silchar from Kolkata and then go by road to Aizwal. This road journey takes about 5-6 hous/ or longer to cover 184 km.

Rail – Silchar is the railhead.

Road – Bus service are available from Guwahati to Shillong. The Barak Valley Express travels from Guwahati.

NH 54 connects Aizawl with Silchar. It is also accessible from Shillong and Guwahati.

5. Manipur – Getting there – Air – Flights from Delhi, KOlkata, Guwahati, Aizawl, Jorhat and Silchar land to Imphal airport which is 7 kms from the town.

Rail – The nearest station is Dimapur, Nagaland, on the North-East Frontier Railway. Regular bus services make the journey to Imphal [215 km]. Jiribam station on the Manipur-Assam border is 225 km from Imphal.

Road – Well-connected by road with the cities of the North-East states.

Silchar, Assam [NH 53]

Dimapur, Nagaland [NH 39]

Guwahati, Assam [NH 39]

6. Meghalaya – Getting there – Air – The nearest airport is Guwahati. From there a helicopter service operates to Shillong.

Rail – The nearest station is Guwahati. From there bus services leave for Shillong which is 103 kms away.

Road – NH 40 connects Guwahati to Shillong.

7. Assam - Getting there – Air – Guwahati airport has daily flights to Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. There are also plane or helicopter connections to towns in the North-East.

Rail – Guwahati has daily connections to Delhi and Kolkata. The fastest are the Rajdhani Express, Kanchenjunga Express, Kamrup Express and Saraighat Express.

8. Sikkim - Getting there –Siliguri is the start point and is reached by train, bus and air. Siliguri to Gangtok is by road or by the helicopter services available at Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri.