Jaldapara National Park is Where You Can Spot The Elusive One-Horned Rhino

Jaldapara National Park is situated at the foothills of Eastern Himalayas, in a district called Alipurduar in West Bengal. It is one of the best places in the country to spot one-horned rhinos. These elusive beauties are found in few other national parks today; Kaziranga and Pobitara in Assam and in protected areas in the Terai of Nepal Jaldapara has been home to this wonderful species for a long time now – the vast grassland being ideal as the Rhino’s natural habitat.

Today, they’re listed as a vulnerable species, whereas once the large mammal ranged in large numbers through the entire stretch of the Indo-Gangetic plain. However, excessive hunting has caused them to go down in number. Today, about 3,000 rhinos live in the wild, 2,000 of which are found in the Northeast alone.

A great way to enjoy in Jaldapara National Park is by taking an elephant safari that is organised early morning from Hollong to offer the exquisite beauty of the vast grassland . The elephant ride is also the best possible way to spot rare species such as the Indian rhinos and Asiatic elephants. You can also opt for the jeep safari inside the sanctuary for a complete experience.

The forest is mainly savannah covered with tall elephant grasses, and looks gorgeous with the river Torsa flowing languidly through it. It is home to a great variety of fauna other than the rhino such as Royal Bengal Tigers, wild elephants, deers, swamp deers, hog deers, wild pigs, and bisons. Some rare species like the hispid hare and the hog-badger are also found here.

While taking leisurely strolls through the towering grass here, you can also spot some great varieties of birds. It is one of the very few places in India, where the Bengal Florican is seen. Other birds to be found here are the Crested Eagle, Pallas’s Fishing Eagle, Jungle Fowl, Bengal Florican and the Pied Hornbill.

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Popular jumbo joyride terminated

Betla National Park in Palamau, a major attraction for wildlife enthusiasts in east India, has withdrawn its popular elephant ride with immediate effect, citing a Supreme Court order.

Deputy director (north division) of Palamau Tiger Reserve in Betla park Anil Kumar Mishra said the rides had been terminated from October 21.

“The Supreme Court recently asked all wildlife sanctuaries and national parks across the country to stop the practice. Hence, we have closed our elephant ride for tourists,” he said.

Asked if the decision would affect revenue of the national park, Mishra added that they would have to assess the same after November-December, the two months that witnessed highest footfall.

Until Saturday, Juhi was the lone elephant that offered tourists a Betla safari. She made two 30-minute trips every morning with half a dozen tourists each time.

Mishra conceded that the female jumbo, who was now 60 years old, should gave retired quite sometime back.

“She is ageing and her health is fragile. Since the elephant ride was very popular among Betla visitors, we had no option until now,” he said.

According to a tracker, Juhi’s companion Anarkali died two years ago and that left the elephant in deep shock, which again was responsible for her failing health.

“Juhi had refused food for two days and broke a boundary wall in sheer grief,” he recalled.

Betla National Park has four captive elephants — Rakhi, Sita, Kaal Bhairav and Murugan — besides Juhi. Sita, Kaal Bhairav and Murugan were brought from Karnataka in March-end. Sita and Kaal Bhairav were training to be tourist rides until the ban.

Mishra said three of quintet would now be used for patrolling. “Rakhi and Murugan are too young. They will need more training before they can patrol the park. The others will man the park,” he elaborated.

Sources, however, expressed doubts given the fragile health of both Juhi and Sita, the latter having suffered a bout of foot-and-mouth disease a few weeks ago.

Mishra admitted that Sita had needed medical attention. “She lost weight and had to be put on antibiotics and multivitamins. She has irritable bowel syndrome and suffers from an upset stomach every now and then. She is a lactating mother too. She breastfeeds her calf Murugan. All this has taken a toll on her health,” he said.

The official hinted at acute dearth of funds for the animals.

“There is no separate food fund for these five elephants. The ranger and foresters manage with great difficulties. They often beg
and borrow food with no cash in hand. The expenses are spiralling. The matter has been brought to the notice of senior officials in Ranchi,” Mishra added.

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