LATAGURI : Back To Jungle ???

Gorumara Forest : Big Cat Loitering 

Honeymoon Cottage : Silver Ritz Resort 

The Himalayan Range 

As the pulpy white clouds swim across the blue sky lazily in the sunny morning over the green forest against the backdrop of purple mountain range of Dooars , while underneath of your feet Murti river graciously rolling on with pebbles around , you would like to feel blessed to meet a such picture post card coming alive. That is Paanijhora, a Wilderness Camp ( under Divn. Forest Officer , Wild Life Division, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, India ) , one of a number of unforgettable tourist spots at Lataguri, which can be the center of your moving around for unearthly pleasures.

Heavenly Spread Around :

At Pannijhora, there are four cottages ( run under solar energy) for nightstay in a package tour of Rs. 1600/- per head including morning trip to Chapramari Reserve Forest , tribal dance in the evening, dinner and breakfast. During dark night, you may hear the sound of crackers used by the local guards with burning torches in hand to drive away hoards of wild elephants who are on their night long march from jungle to adjacent villages for food and grains across the tea gardens that lay bare before your well guarded wilderness camp compound.

Green Hub And Habitat:

Lataguri is the hub around which reserved forests and their wild inhabitants are in the galore. Being at Lataguri at the first instance is always advantageous because of the fact that all the necessary official permissions can be collected from the counter of Forest Deptt. at Lataguri only. You can halt at Chalsa or Mal bazar or Kumlai also for jungle trips but for entry permits , you have to report to the counters of Forest Deptt., Lataguri every time , which is not at all time and cost effective.

Garden Walk 

Four Points Of Green Entry :

The road to Lataguri stands to be a large stretch of National Highway across the evergreen forest with defined gateways like Gorumara, Khunia, Chukchuki and Chapramari. Each one deserves your visit with one binocular and one camera to arrest its inhabitants in the frame first and filtered in your memory forever. As a matter of fact, each forest has its own character , topography and variety of habitat apart from relatively distinctly different flora and fauna.

Gorumara ( area 79.45km. ), most popular of them all , may well define the dwelling place of one horned rhinos, wild elephants, spiral horned bisons, deers and beautiful peacocks. It’s entry point is 7km away from Lataguri on the way to Chalsa. The watchtowers like “Rhino point” and “Jatraprasad” are awaiting your arrival for gifting you with mindblowing sights and a rendezvous with wild animals, taking their daily dose of salt and water. Forest inroads are to be strictly travelled by vehicles only under hired Guides at cost , under special permission of 25 tourists per shift for 4 shifts per day.

Khunia, is situated at the northern part of Gorumara. Here , the forest is too dense and in the core area. Therefore , regular meet with either elephants or bisons in the afternoon is not ruled out from the watch tower called “ Nazar minar”. Deeper inside the forest after buffer zone at Nagrakata area, one horned rhinos are more visible with their style and grandeur. In Khunia, few attractions are above beasts and trees. An amazing forest bunglow accompanied by two unique cottages ( Diana & Rethi) by the waterside of Murti river , surrounded by a flower garden and a Chidren’s Park can be your special bet.

Rest & Peace

Chukchuki is placed at the southern part near Moinaguri. This is all time favourite of birds of the world. All the feathered friends of mankind unite from October onwards around the water front in front of the three storied watch tower, built in the modern design. Such annual summits participated by international and national delegates happen to be a spectacular events for the human visitors, who can not afford to miss. From Flycatcher to Lapwing of foreign origin and Dhanesh to Bhimraj of Indian origin may be arrested in your binoculars and cameras. These apart , flora and fauna of Chukchuki are special attractions . You have to take Guide’s help to know about them.

Flower Power

A Statue 

Chapramari ( 10 Km) , smaller in size than Gorumara, is basically a forest of Saal trees and other trees. “Chapramari never returns tourists empty handed” - this proverb is prevalent amongst the local residents of Lataguri. Here, wild life enthusiasts must see at least any of the inhabitants ranging from Leopard to deer for their being conspicuous , particularly during dawn or dusk at the water front.

Going :

After you land at Dumdum Airport, Kolkata, West Bengal, pls. take Kanchankanya Express from Sealdah Stn. To Maalbazaar Stn. Therefrom, take a car to Lataguri.

Staying :

A number of resorts and hotels are available in every range - from luxury to shoe string budget for variety of travellers. Food is fresh with serene calmness as nature will make your day.

Blogger at the entrance of "Gorumara Reserve Forest"