24Sep2022

Enjoying NATURE and WILDLIFE in LATPANCHAR | Mahananda Wildlife Scantuary

GoingWild

#Bird Watching Tours #Destination Information #Guest Blog

In the month of May 2016; Arijit Sen joined us during the bird photography trip at Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary in West Bengal. Very recently he has published a write up on his experience of birding with us which has been posted below.
The other posts related to birding by Arijit can be seen at: Arijit Sen Photography
Rufous-necked Hornbill [Banner] - © Arijit Sen @ 2016

Mahananda wildlife scantuary – located on the foothills of the Himalayas, between the Mahananda & Teesta rivers is one of the most vibrant destinations for wildlife, mainly birdlife. Situated in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India it comes under Darjeeling Wildlife division and can be reached from Siliguri in 30 minutes. Sukna, the gateway to the sanctuary, is only 13 km from Siliguri and 28 km from Bagdogra airport. The sanctuary spreads over 159 km2 of reserve forest.

The forest type in Mahananda WLS varies from riverine forests to dense mixed-wet forest in the higher elevation in ‘Latpanchar’ area of Kurseong hills. The variation in altitude and forest types helps the existence of a large number of species of mammals, birds and reptiles. Varying altitude from 500 ft at the southern range of Sukna forest to the elevation up to 4,500 ft at Latkothi. Latpanchar is approximately 14kms away from Kalijhora.

Our tour was from 8th May 2016 to 10th May 2016 during which we mainly covered the area around Latpanchar. There is a good option of homestay here that of Mr.Gurung’s named ‘Hornbill’s Nest’.

DAY 1:
After getting down at NJP Station from the Padatik Express at 9:30am, I experienced a sudden surge of energy running through my veins. HURRAH !!!! I have finally managed to get detached from the busy schedule of life back in kolkata – although temporary but still a matter of great pleasure. I was accompanied by my newly wed wife who had no idea of a Birding tour. It was also her birthday – I naturally had very low margin of error to commit. My friend Dibyendu – the tour operator was already waiting at the station premises from beforehand to receive us. I started frantically searching from him just when he called me to inform that he was waiting outside near the model of toy train. Without any hesitation we reached there and started boarding our SUMO car to start our journey.
We left NJP followed by Siliguri town and in a matter of 30 min enetered into the Sevoke road. As soon as we entered Sukna the weather somehow changed from the hot & humid to a much more cooler & pleasant one. We could experience the cold wind blowing across our face – a gentle reminder that we have entered Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. We did not stop by at any point on our way to save ....... [Click here to read from original website of Arijit Sen]