Neora Valley National Park

Neora Valley National Park

One of the richest biodiversity Parks in North East India, Neora Valley National park is spread over an area of 88 sq kms of Kalimpong , Sub Division of Darjeeling district. Neora Valley national park derives it biodiversity from the variation of altitude it encompasses under its ambit. With its altitude varying from 600 feet to 10600 ft ( at Rechela Danda, Neora Valley National Park) displays temperate tropical vegetation to sub alpine vegetation. Established in 1986, Neora Valley National Park is the least exploited National Parks of India. Its rugged hilly train and still unexplored and unreachable dense Jungle makes it an exciting place for the nature lovers. In some parts of the park, the vegetation is so thick that the sunlight fails to penetrate and reach to the ground. Bounded by natural forests, dense bamboo groves, colorful canopy of rhododendron trees, lush green valley, meandering rivers and streams with snow capped mountains in the backdrop, it is just perfect for trekking enthusiasts.

Neora Valley National Park is rich in vegetation with various species of trees and plants growing here. Neora Valley National park is particularly rich in trees of rhododendron, bamboo, oak, ferns and sal. The National Park is famous for its variety of wild orchids, with its splendid colors and invigorating patterns, the orchids growing here are unique. The deep unexplored forest of Neora Valley National Park might be holding numerous exotic varieties of Orchids still unknown to man.

Known as home to Red Panda, Neora Valley national park is rich in its fauna. Apart from the highly endangered species of Red Panda found here, it is also home to endangered species of clouded leopard and Musk deer. Neora Valley national park is also home to  Indian Gaur, Himalayan Black Bear, Clouded Leopard Common Leopard, Lesser Cats, Himalayan Thar, Serrow, Gural, Deer and Squirrels. The recent discovery of Royal Bengal Tiger from here had brought the National Park in high sensitive Zone at the same time increasing its diversity. According to 2002 tiger census, Neora Valley National Park has 19 big cats.

Neora National Park is paradise for the bird watchers too offering varieties of rare birds to be watched. You can find here spectacular variety of pheasants, cuckoos, minivets, flycatchers, maynas, orioles, owls, parakeets, Partridges, Sunbirds, Swallows, Swifts and Woodpeckers. Neora National Park is equally famous for the plethora of butterflies found here. Kaiser-e- Hind and Krishna Peacock are amongst the most attractive butterflies. A mammoth variety of insects including bugs, beetles, spiders and ants are also found here.King cobra, common cobra krait, green pit viper, blind snake and lizards are also found in Neora Valley National Park

           

Neora National Park can be entered from Lava, 30kms from Kalimpong and also from Samsing, 80kms from Siliguri. It offers numerous trekking routes for the trekking enthusiasts, the most popular being a six day trek through the forests comprising Samsing - Bhote Ghar - Thusum - Rechela - Alubari - Lava offering you an unforgettable thrilling experience