Neora Valley National Park

Neora Valley National Park is a protected area in West Bengal that stretches across elevations from 600 feet to 10,500 feet (183 to 3,200 meters) and includes several forest types. The landscape ranges from dense lowland woods to mist-covered mountain slopes with tall rhododendrons and bamboo.

The government declared the valley a protected area in 1986 to preserve its forests and wildlife from logging. It was later proposed as a possible World Heritage Site, highlighting its ecological importance in the eastern Himalayas.

The name comes from the Lepcha language and refers to a place where people feel connected to the forest. Hikers often notice small prayer flags tied to trees, placed by residents of nearby villages to show respect for nature.

Visitors need to obtain a permit from the forest department before entering, as authorities control the number of people walking into the woods at any time. The best months to visit are between October and May, when the trails are dry and visibility is clearer.

The area is home to the red panda, a rare animal that lives among the branches and feeds mainly on bamboo. Visitors can also come across wild orchids growing on the trunks of old trees, blooming during the humid months.