Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary is a forest in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. Located between the shimmering Teesta and Mahananda Rivers and on the foothills of the Himalayas, this forest reserve is full of rich wildlife. Stretching over an area of 159 km2, this sanctuary was first started in the year 1955 as a game sanctuary for children to take rides. However, in the year 1959, it got the status of a sanctuary to protect the endangered Indian Bison and the Royal Bengal Tiger.
Sukna is the entrance of the forest which is just around 10 km driving distance away from Siliguri. For those who are in love with nature and want to witness some of the finest wildlife species of India, Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary is truly a must-visit.
Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary Details
The altitude of the forest varies quite significantly ranging from 500 feet at the Southern range and 4300 feet in the Northern area where a place named Latpanchar is located. On the east, river Teesta is flowing continuously, and in the west Mahananda River and the Hill Cart Road can be seen.
Darjeeling Wildlife Division of West Bengal manages the forest. There are many villages that are part of the forest such as Latpanchar, Sukna, Toribari, Gulma, and more. And because of this, it is one of the most important Sanctuaries in North Bengal. Driving straight down the main forest road, you will reach the bank of the Mahananda River. The shimmering water of the river and the picturesque surroundings let the visitors forget all the distress of their lives and enjoy nature to the fullest.
Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary Safari and Timings
Safaris are offered in this Sanctuary from the Sukna Gate in the morning as well as in the afternoon. However, the forest official will not provide you a Jeep to explore the jungle and you have to bring your own car for Safari. Prior to starting the Safari, you have to buy an entry ticket and pay for the guide. The safari route will be around 8 km. Due to the mountainous and dirty route, small cars are not recommended to bring for the safari. It usually takes more than 2 hours to complete Safari.
In the past, Elephant rides were also offered at the Sukna Forest region. However, they are not offered anymore due to several difficulties. One of the major reasons is that the conflict of wild elephants with the elephants who are offering rived leaving the lives of tourists in danger. And to skip any mishaps happen, the elephant ride is completely discontinued.
From the Nature Interpretation Centre (NIC), a new Bus Safari has started in Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. The Safari is for one hour only and from Nature Interpretation Centre the bus runs through the jungle to Mandodhaya. The Safari starts every day from 6:15 am to 4:30 pm. Usually, 5 trips are conducted every day and the ticket for the Safari is available at NIC or even you can book the tickets for the Safari online. The vehicle that offers Safari here is usually a 28 seater bus.
Wildlife of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary
Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its huge collection of unique flora and fauna. It is the home of 300 different kinds of plantations but the prominent ones are Sal, Simul, Sisco, and Khair. Some of the other trees include Lali, Jamur, Gamar, Bamboos, Fern, Orchids, Fern, Teak, Udal, and more. In the plain areas of the lower region, you will get to see several elephants migrated from Nepal, Assam, or other forests of West Bengal. One can see more than 150 elephants in this forest during the months of winter and monsoon.
Royal Bengal Tiger is also present in the jungle of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary and only the lucky people get the sight of it. Other wild animals of this forest include Himalayan Black Bear, Leopard, Serow, Sambar, Golden Cat, Indian Bison, Spotted Deer, Monkeys, Barking Deer, etc. It is one of the finest forests to explore for avid birdwatchers. You will get to see more than 300 species of birds and the major ones being Himalayan pied hornbills, Rufous-necked hornbills, Peafowl, Peacock, Kingfishers, Flycatchers, Robins, Woodpeckers, Racket-tail drongo, and a large number of migratory birds of Central Asia.
To create a natural habitat for them several glades have been created at convenient spots inside Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. These glades have artificial salt licks where the animals come to lick the salt. There are also many hides and watchtowers that have been created near the salt licks let the visitors witness these wild creatures very closely.
Watchtowers and Museum
Besides the Sanctuary you will get to see Gulmarg Tea Estate. The sanctuary has well-laid forest roads of around 50 km long. The roads lead you to some of the unmatched beauties of nature along with the man-made forests. The watchers built beside Gulma River and at Laltong are some excellent destinations from where you can observe grazing animals especially elephants, gaur and deer. The watchtowers in the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary include Laltong Watch Tower, Gulma Watch Tower, Golaghat Watch Tower, Laltong Compartment No.9, etc. Along with wild creatures, you can also sight many colorful birds.
At the entrance of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, there is also a large museum constructed to let the visitors know about wild animals. On the ground floor, there is a ticket counter and washrooms for men and women. At the entrance of the museum, you will get to see a preserved leopard and its small cubs. Other than that you will get to see the skins of tigers, preserved birds, head of a deer, bison, etc. There is also a preserved cub of an elephant in the exhibition which died in the year 1998. Adjacent to it, you will also get to see a preserved Royal Bengal Tiger.
Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary Accommodation
If you want to stay in the Government accommodation, there is a Forest Lodge in Sukna run by the state forest department. It is inside the jungle but just before the entry gate of the forest. Moreover, you can also stay at Latpanchar which is truly the best place to stay if you an avid bird enthusiast. The homestays in Latpanchar have all the basic amenities to make your night stay a comfortable and memorable one. At an elevation of 4200 feet above sea level, Latpanchar also offers a sweeping view of the Himalayan range.
Getting There
By Road: This forest is well connected by road with most of its adjacent towns including Siliguri. The approximate distance from Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary to Siliguri is just a little more than 10 km and takes around 30 minutes to cover.
By Rail: New Jalpaiguri Junction (NJP) is the nearest railway station in Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. After reaching NJP, you can share a taxi or hire a private vehicle to reach the Sanctuary. Himalayan Wheels is one of the finest travel agencies in the region.
By Air: The nearest airport is Bagdogra. It is a domestic airport providing air services from all over India. After landing here, you have to rent a car again to reach the sanctuary successfully.
Best Time to Visit Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary
The months of November to April are considered to be the best time to visit this wildlife sanctuary. These are the months when you can expect a clear sky and soothing weather. Monsoon is not the ideal time to visit here as it is the breeding time for wild animals and hence, the forest remains closed from the 16th of June to the 15th of September every year.