West Bengal: National Parks | WBCS Preparation: All Subjects - WBCS (West Bengal) PDF Download

West Bengal boasts abundant wildlife, with approximately 13.38% of its total area covered by forests. The state's diverse altitudinal, physiographic, and climatic conditions contribute to the presence of various habitats and wildlife. With 6 national parks, 15 wildlife sanctuaries, and 2 elephant reserves, West Bengal, situated on the Eastern coast of India, is home to a remarkable array of flora and fauna, ranging from the renowned Royal Bengal Tiger to the One-horned Indian Rhinoceros and leopards in the Himalayan foothills.

National Parks in West Bengal 

National parks in West Bengal serve as strict reserves dedicated to wildlife conservation and biodiversity preservation, with no other activities permitted within their well-defined boundaries. The largest national park in the state is Sundarbans National Park, while the smallest is Singalila National Park. Here is an overview of some of the notable national parks:

• Sundarbans National Park 
  Located in the South 24 Parganas district, it covers 1330.10 sq km and is densely populated by mangrove forests. Sundarbans is a crucial reserve for the endangered Royal Bengal Tiger, declared as such by the IUCN since 2010. It also houses various bird, reptile, and invertebrate species, including the salt-water crocodile.
• Sundarbans Tiger Reserve
  Situated in the same district, it spans 2,585 sq km and was established in 1973 as part of the Sundarbans ecosystem. The reserve has a historical background, with the forests initially treated as a revenue source in 1658.
• Neora Valley National Park
  Found in the Darjeeling district, it covers 159 sq km and was established in April 1986. The park's diverse forests are home to endangered species such as the clouded leopard, red panda, sloth bear, golden cat, goril, serow, wild bear, and musk deer.
• Singalila National Park
  Situated in the Darjeeling district, this park spans 78.60 sq km and is the highest national park in West Bengal, located at an altitude exceeding 7000 ft. It was designated as a national park in 1992, featuring tree species like rhododendron, magnolia, oak, silver fir, juniper, and bamboo. Wildlife includes leopard, serow, pangolin, red panda, barking deer, Himalayan black bear, and leopard cat.

Buxa National Park

Located in the Alipurduar district, this park spans 117 sq km and was declared a National Park in January 1992. It is part of the Buxa Tiger Reserve, established in 1983. Rich in biodiversity, the park houses rare orchids, medicinal plants, and a variety of wildlife such as leopard, fishing cat, giant squirrels, Asian elephant, gaur, clawless otter, cheetal, sambar, and numerous bird species.

Gorumara National Park

Situated in the Jalpaiguri district's Duars region, covering 79.45 sq km, it became a National Park in 1992. The moist deciduous forest is dominated by sal trees, and the park is home to the one-horned rhinoceros, elephant, bison, leopard, various deer species, turtles, pythons, monkeys, and over 200 bird species.

Jaldapara National Park

Found in the Alipurduar district, it spans 216.51 sq km and was declared a National Park in May 2012. The park is known for having the second-largest population of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros, following Kaziranga National Park in Assam. Other notable animals include leopard, elephant, different deer species, wild pig, bison, and the Bengal florican bird.
These national parks collectively contribute to West Bengal's rich wildlife heritage, showcasing a diverse range of ecosystems and species.