National Parks in West Bengal - UPSC Current Affairs

West Bengal is known for its diverse landscapes, including forests, mountains, and coastal areas. The state is home to 6 national parks.

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1. Neora Valley National Park

Neora Valley National Park is located in Kalimpong district of West Bengal, India.
It is situated in the Eastern Himalayas.
This park is famous for its Red Panda population.
In 1961, the Neora Valley was declared a wildlife sanctuary.
In 1986, the Neora Valley Wildlife Sanctuary was upgraded to the status of a national park.
Area: It spreads over an area of 88 km2 (34 sq mi).
Hills: some of the notable hills in and around the park:
- Kalimpong Hills
- Lava Hills
- Tiffin Dara
- Rachela Pass
- Rishyap Hills
River: The park is named after the Neora River, which flows through it.
Flora: Rhododendrons, Oaks, Bamboo, Ferns, Orchids etc.
Fauna: Red Panda, Asiatic Black Bear, Sloth Bear, Clouded Leopard, Asian, Golden Cat, Serow, Sambar Deer, Brown Wood Owl, Black Eagle, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Green Pit Viper, Blind Snake etc.

Singalila National Park is located in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India.
It is situated on the Singalila Ridge of Eastern Himalayas.
The park is known for its population of red pandas.
In 1986, Singalila region was declared a wildlife sanctuary.
In 1992, Singalila Wildlife Sanctuary was upgraded to the status of a national park.
Area: It covers an area of about 78 square kilometers (30 square miles).
River: Rammam River and Srikhola River flow through the park.
Flora: Rhododendrons, Oak and Magnolia Trees, Coniferous Trees (Himalayan fir, Himalayan pine, and West Himalayan spruce), Bamboo, Alpine Flora (Primula denticulata, Potentilla atrosanguinea, and Saxifraga stolonifera) etc.
Fauna: Red Panda, Himalayan Black Bear, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Leopard Cat, Yellow-throated Marten, Serow, Takin, Himalayan Vulture, Kalij Pheasant, Blood Pheasant, Indian Rock Python, Himalayan Pit Viper, Green Pit Viper etc.

It is located in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, India.
In 1973, the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve was officially established under Project Tiger initiative.
In 1977, the Sundarbans Reserve Forest was designated as a wildlife sanctuary.
In 1984, the Sundarbans Wildlife Sanctuary was elevated to the status of a National Park.
In 1987, the Sundarbans was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In 1989, the indian government declared the Sunderbans as a biosphere reserve.
In 2001, the Sunderbans was designated as a UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
In 2019, the Sunderban Wetland was recognized as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.
Area: The park cover an area of about 1,330 square kilometers (513 square miles). This park area is composed of 54 small islands.
River: Some prominent rivers and water bodies in and around the park are:
- Ganges River (Hooghly River)
- Matla River
- Bidyadhari River
- Raimangal River
- Harinbhanga River
Flora: Sundari, Gewa, Goran, Keora, Hetal, Passur, Nypa palm, Dhundul, Kankra etc.
Fauna: Royal Bengal Tiger, Leopard Cat, Chital, Wild Boar, Fishing Cat, Ganges River Dolphins, Irrawaddy Dolphins, Chinese White Dolphins, While Minke Whales,False Killer Whales, Common Kingfishers, , Night Herons, Spotted Doves, Monitor Lizards, Green Turtles, Water Monitor Lizard,Estuarine Crocodile etc.

Buxa National Park is located in the Alipurduar district of West Bengal, India.
It is situated in eastern Dooars at 2600 ft above sea level.
The park houses the Buxa Fort, which served as a prison during the British colonial period and later as a detention camp during the Indian independence movement.
In 1983, Buxa Tiger Reserve was established as a 15th tiger reserve in India.
In 1986, the Buxa Wildlife Sanctuary was constituted.
In 1992, Buxa Tiger Reserve was elevated to the status of a national park.
Area: The park spread over an area of 315sq.kms.
The region surrounding Buxa National Park is known for its mineral resources.
Hills: The hills in the park are part of the larger Eastern Himalayan range.
- Buxa Hills
- Sinchula Hill Range
River: Buxa National Park is traversed by several rivers and streams includes:
- Sankosh
- Raidak
- Jayanti
- Churnia
- Turturi
- Phashkhawa
- Dima
- Nonani
Flora: Sal, Simul, Gamari, Amari, Teak, Khair, Champa, Mahua, Bamboo, Rhododendrons etc.
Fauna: Bengal Tiger, Leopard Cat, Sloth Bear, Fishing Cat, Hyaena, Indian Fox, Marbled Cat, Golden Cat, Eurasian Griffon, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Black-naped Oriole, King Cobra,Monitor Lizards,Indian Roofed Turtle etc.

Gorumara National Park is located in the Malbazar subdivision of Jalpaiguri district, in the state of West Bengal, India.
It is situated in the Dooars Region of the Himalayan foothills.
Gorumara National Park is known for its population of Indian rhinoceros.
In 1895, Gorumara was officially declared a reserve forest.
In 1949, Gorumara was designated as a Wildlife Sanctuary due to its significant breeding population of Indian rhinoceros.
In 1992, Gorumara attained the status of a National Park.
In 2009, Gorumara National Park received prestigious recognition as the best among the protected areas in India.
Area: It covers an area of approximately 79.99 km2 (30.88 sq mi).
River: The most prominent river flowing through the park are:
- Murti River
- Raidak River
- Jaldhaka River
Lake: A man-made reservoir called the Ramsai Lake, also known as Gorumara Lake or Gorumara Reservoir, located in close proximity to the park.
Flora: Sal, simul, khair, teak, shisham, silk cotton tree, Indian trumpet flower, Indian coral tree, elephant grass, spear grass, orchids etc.
Fauna: Indian Rhinoceros, Leopard, Gaur, Asian Elephant, Sloth Bear, Chital, Sambar Deer, Hog Deer, Wild Boar, Giant Squirrels, Hispid Hare, Indian Hornbill, Brahminy Duck, Indian Python, Monitor Lizards, Tortoises and Turtles etc.

Jaldapara National Park is located in the Alipurduar district of the Indian state of West Bengal.
The park is situated in the Eastern Himalayas.
Jaldapara National Park is renowned for its population of Indian one-horned rhinoceros.
In 1941, the Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary was established.
In 2014, Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary was upgraded to Jaldapara National Park.
Area: It covers an area of approximately 216 square kilometers (83 square miles).
River: Jaldapara National Park is situated on the banks of the Torsa River. The major rivers that flow through the park include the following:
- Torsa River
- Malangi River
- Hollong River
- Chirakhawa River
- Sissamara River
- Kalijhora River
Tribe: The region around the park is home to various indigenous communities and tribes. Toto and Mech tribes lived in the Jaldapara National Park prior to 1800.
Flora: Sal, teak, simul, sishu, elephant grass, bamboo etc.
Fauna: Indian one-horned Rhinoceros, Indian Leopard, Indian Elephant, Sambar, Barking Deer, Chital, Hog Deer, Wild Boar, Gaur, Bengal Florican, Crested Eagle, Jungle Fowl, Pythons, Monitor Lizards etc.