Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary is on the Himalayan foothills, around 30 kilometers from Chalsa and Lataguri, in northern West Bengal. It is one of the best-protected areas in India. Greater Indian One-Horned Rhinos can be seen here.

Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary

This wildlife sanctuary has an area of 960 hectares. In 1895, it became a reserve forest. In 1949, it became a state wildlife Sanctuary and a national wildlife sanctuary in 1998. Teesta, the Neora, and the Murti rivers are the main rivers flowing through this wildlife sanctuary. Gorumara National Park is close to this wildlife sanctuary.

Besides the Greater One-Horned Rhino, this wildlife sanctuary has a sizable population of Elephants and Indian bison. Other animals found in this park include deer, boars, and leopards. It is also a birdwatcher’s paradise. Green pigeons, Parakeets, and kingfishers are there in large numbers.

There is a railway line from Siliguri and Malbazar, which passes through the reserve forests. It is a big threat to wild animals, especially elephants and Indian bison. On 13 November 2013, a passenger train hit a herd of 40–50 Indian elephants, killing five adult elephants and two calves and injuring ten elephants!

The name is derived from a fish that is seen locally, known as Chopra. Mari, in the local language, means abundance.

The West Bengal Forest Development Corporation Limited operates the Chapramari forest camp inside this wildlife sanctuary.

Watchtower at Chapramari

Chapramari watchtower is ideal for watching the wildlife in this park. The state government forest department offers a Jeep safari to this watchtower. There are only a limited number of trips per time slot. The Jeep safari is there in the mornings and in the afternoons.

You need to buy entry tickets from Murthi or Lataguri to go to this wildlife sanctuary inside the reserve forests. You also need to pay for the guide and the Jeep.

Some of the government hotels or forest camps can get you entry tickets.

How Do I Go to Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary?

Chapramari Wildlife Park is around two hours from Siliguri, a major town in West Bengal. It is on the NH 17. This wildlife sanctuary comes after Chalsa and before Nagrakata. The forests after crossing the Murti River are part of the wildlife sanctuary. For the next 7 kilometers, till Jaldhaka River, are also part of this sanctuary.

Malbazar Railway Station, with station code MLBZ, in Jalpaiguri district, is the closest railway station to the wildlife sanctuary.

Murti and Lataguri are the best places to access this wildlife sanctuary.

Wildlife Sanctuary Closure Period

Chapramari Wildlife Park is closed from the middle of July to the middle of September each year during the Monsoon season.