AN EPHEMERAL ESCAPADE

Faldapara and Gorumara National Parks in the Dooars offer a soul-stirring wildlife experience characterised by monsoon-drenched jungles and rare animal encounters alongside rustic tea garden trails

- RAJASHRI CHATTERJEE

While having dinner one day at the beginning of last month, a sudden plan was made to visit Jaldapara and Gorumara National Parks yet again after years. The region boasts of extremely rich biodiversity in terms of varied flora and fauna. Subsequently, several plans were set in motion to organize the trip. Finally, the journey commenced with us boarding the Vande Bharat Express early in the morning on May 31, 2025.

The Aranya Tourism Property (formerly Jaldapara Tourist Lodge), nestled in the vicinity of Jaldapara National Park, was booked for the first three days of our trip. The West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (WBTDCL) property preserves the enchanting wild charm, with bison, wild boar, peacock, and monkey sightings being a common affair in and around the campus. With the early commencement of the monsoon this year, the lush green Jaldapara zone after a spell of rain each night was an amazing treat to the eyes.