Chilapata Forests, Forest reserve in Alipurduar, India.
Chilapata Forests is a woodland reserve in Alipurduar located between the Bania river on the east and the Torsha river on the west, with varied habitats throughout. The dense forest creates different zones of vegetation and grassland that support a range of plant and animal life.
Early records from hunting expeditions between 1892 and 1904 documented more than a dozen rhinoceros sightings here, indicating the forest once held significant wildlife populations. These accounts reveal how important this area was as habitat for large animals in the past.
The Rabha communities who live and work in these forests maintain traditional practices that shape how the land is used and cared for each day. You can see this relationship in the way the forest is managed and preserved by those who depend on it.
Accommodation is available at Kodalbasti for visitors wanting to spend time in the forest. The area is accessible and offers basic facilities to support a forest visit.
These forests serve as a natural pathway connecting Jaldapara National Park and Buxa Tiger Reserve, allowing elephants to move freely between the two protected areas. This role as a migration corridor makes it an essential part of the larger regional ecosystem.
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