SINGHALILA NATIONAL PARK

 SINGHALILA NATIONAL PARK



Founded in 1986, this 79 sq km of mixed deciduous and alpine forests in the Indo-Nepal border is a pristine National Park with an average rainfall of 3,300mm. The wide variety of vegetation varies with the variant altitude which includes stately Oak, Hemlock, Deodar, Silver Fir and Burch. The temperatures here vary in the summer between 7ºC to 1ºC and in the winters between 0ºC to minus10ºC with the upper reaches of the Park receiving heavy snowfall. From its position in Sandakphu and Phalut in the northern most end of West Bengal, the forests extend into Rimbik and Rammam of south Sikkim. The rivers Little Rangit and Rammam flows through the Park along with a number of smaller streams, namely, Shirikhola, Lodhamakhola, Singhpratapkhola and Rikhukhola. The Park is dotted with a number of big and small waterfalls. In the summers, Rhododendrons, Junipers and Primulas of innumerable varieties lend a rich hue to the Park which is further enhanced by varieties of even more colourful butterflies. The rivers and streams of the Park are replete with game fishes like Mahaseer, Trout and Cutely. The Park harbours about 90 varieties of mammals, such as, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Leopard Cat, Golden Cat, Himalayan Black Bear, Red Panda, Seru and Goral along with a wide variety of high altitude Himalayan birds.

Accessibility: Residing 52kms from Darjeeling, one can drive up to Manebhanjan and then trek the rest of the way to the Park.

Accommodation: Forest Rest Houses and Trekkers Hut are available inside the Park.

Season: January to April.

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