West Bengal, the land of the mighty Bengal Tiger, is an eastern state of India that harbors rich cultures and wildlife. From the Ganges and its tributaries to the Great Himalayas, West Bengal is a state that holds a wide range of flora and fauna in its layout. North Bengal has become a huge tourist spot because of the Shivalik mountain range and the tributaries of the Ganges, which combined provide for beautiful hill stations. On the other hand, South Bengal is home to the world’s largest mangrove forest, the Sunderbans.
There are six National Parks in West Bengal – Buxa National Park, Gorumara National Park, Jaldapara National Park, Neora National Park, Singalila National Park, and Sunderban National Park. The Sunderban National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Tiger Reserve and has the highest population of Bengal Tigers. It is also a Biosphere Reserve, which gives a three-tier experience of nature in just one place, along with the beautiful landscape and the roaring rivers. The Buxa National Park and Tiger Reserve, situated amidst dense mountain ranges, has a very rocky terrain that some parts of the area are still inaccessible and unexplored by humans. The Neora Valley National Park also contains some untouched bits of forests that may thrill trekkers and other nature enthusiasts. The Gorumara National Park and the Jaldapara National Park are both located at the foothills of the Great Himalayas. They are known for their picturesque views and the parks with the most number of Asiatic One-horned Rhinos. The Singalila National Park is located at 7000 feet above sea level and is the highest National Park in the state which provides a breathtaking panoramic view of the Himalayas from Nepal to Sikkim and further up to Bhutan.
The Blackboard tree, also known as the Indian Devil tree, is designated as the State tree. The deadly Fishing Cat is the State animal, while the State bird is the White-breasted Kingfisher. The beautiful, mythologically reverent flower, the Night-flowering Jasmine, or the Parijat, is the State flower. Exotic animals and birds that are found here are Saltwater Crocodiles, Asiatic Elephants, Great Indian Hornbills, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Hog Deer, Sambars, Bison, Rhesus Monkeys, Assam Macaques, Himalayan Flying Squirrels, Leopard Cats, Regal Pythons, Bengal Floricans, Hispid Hares, Slender-billed Vultures, and many others.
The fascinating habitat in West Bengal accommodates thousands of rare species that are endemic and regional. The diverse natural surroundings bring peace to the soul and calmness to our stress-filled lives. The hills, the Mangrove forests, the tropical rainforests, and the snow-covered mountains, with the mellow existence of wildlife, are sure to bring out the poet in you!