Dooars trip -2025 [Chilapata Forest]
Dooars trip - 2025 Chilapata Forest [part2]
Jungle Safari: Our stay at The Northern Woods Homestay, nestled beside the
Chilapata Forest, felt like stepping into the enchanted Xanadu of a forgotten era. Right beside the property flows the Banita River, its crystal-clear, shallow waters meandering peacefully along the forest’s edge. Quite a few hotels and homestays line its banks, each offering a serene view of the river against the dense green backdrop.
Rain was the main reason we came to Dooars — we had hoped for those dreamy monsoon showers. But nature had other plans. Clouds would gather ominously across the sky, making us believe a heavy downpour was imminent — only for the sun to pop out from behind them at the last moment! It was as if the rain kept teasing us.
[Banita river hotel front]
Finally, in the afternoon, as we all huddled together over cups of tea and. coffee, it began — the long-awaited, torrential downpour. The sky turned dark with thick, brooding clouds. I stepped outside into the open — the raindrops were massive, and within seconds, I was completely drenched. It was magical for the next 45 minutes!
The next morning, I was eager for a walk along the forest trail. I tried to wake up everyone, but only Kinsuk and Sumit shook off their sleep — the rest continued snoring! The village paths were narrow and peaceful, and we spotted plenty of birds as we strolled along. Kinsuk, thanks to his professional knowledge, gave us insightful commentary on the local flora and fauna, turning the walk into a mini nature tour.
As the day progressed, the sun rose sharply in the sky, and the heat became unbearable. The scorching sun nearly made us drop the idea of going for the jungle safari. But I insisted — and thank God we did! On our jungle safari, we were rewarded with sightings of several wild animals in
[Banita River inside jungle]
their natural habitat: A Rhinoceros, Sambar deer, Plenty of Bison & Peacocks, some wild hens, and even a pair of majestic Hornbill. We just missed spotting Elephants, and though the trail led us through leopard territory, no leopards showed up that day.
Another interesting aspect of the forest is its mysterious Ramgua tree — said to bleed a red, blood-like fluid when pierced. Our safari guide pointed out several such trees deep in the jungle. Though we didn’t test this claim ourselves, it certainly added a mystical air to the forest experience!
Historically, this forest carries great significance. In the 15th century, Shri Chila Roy, the valiant general of the Koch King of Cooch Behar, wrested control of this region from the King of Bhutan. The remnants of Chila Roy’s fort still exist — your safari guide will most likely show them to you.
[A rhino waiting to cross the road]
[ a huge grassland on Torsa river front - normal habitat for Rhino]
And for those with wanderlust in their bones, here’s another gem: the Jaigaon–Bhutanghat road lies just 28 km away from Chilapata. A 12-kilometre stretch of this main road runs through the heart of the forest and is an absolute feast for the eyes. Lush greenery, sudden glimpses of wildlife, and the raw beauty of the jungle surround you. Due to frequent animal crossings, the speed limit is 20 km/h, and stopping is strictly prohibited. It’s not just a road — it’s an experience in itself.
End of part-2
[to continue to final part 3]
S. Bera
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