Gorumara National Park

Gorumara is a national park in Jalpaiguri district in the Indian state of West Bengal, covering lowland forests and open grasslands between two major river systems. The landscape shifts between dense tree clusters, marshy sections along the Murti River, and wide plains where grasses turn golden during the dry season.

The area was first declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1949 to protect habitats for large mammals. The West Bengal government later expanded the territory considerably and granted it national park status in 1992.

The name Gorumara likely comes from a local term reflecting the deep connection between forest and village communities in this region. Visitors today see the result of decades of collaboration between conservationists and residents, who work together through guided safaris and awareness programs to protect the area.

The best months to visit run from November through March, when humidity is lower and wildlife sightings across the plains become easier. Bagdogra Airport and New Jalpaiguri railway station provide access to regional transport networks, with roads leading directly to the park entrance.

Two distinct ecoregions meet here: the Terai-Duar savanna grasslands to the north and the moist deciduous forests of the lower Gangetic plains to the south. This overlap allows species that would normally occupy separate habitats to coexist, making the area a special observation point.