Gorumara National Park, is one of the recent introductions to the National Parks map of India. It is famous for being one of the last small pockets in Eastern India with a natural population of the Great Indian one horned Rhinoceros. The National Park is found in the localities of Lataguri, Chalsa and Nagrakata, beside National Highway 31 which connects Siliguri and Guwahati.

Gorumara National Park and Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary are the only two rhino habitats of the State. The other associated species are elephants, gaur, tiger, and different species of deer, wild boar and a large number of species of birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects. Hence, any habitat development activity primarily aims at developing the habitat of rhino while, at the same time, preserving the habitat and food-base of other species as well. Since the food chain in any ecosystem is highly complicated and any large-scale manipulation of the ecosystem may set in an irreversible process of degradation, we are extremely careful while carrying out habitat manipulation activities for the purpose of development.

While undertaking habitat development works, the activities remain confined within the following premises: -

1) Wherever habitat manipulation activities are being taken up, some control plots are laid out for future monitoring of the effects of such manipulations.

2) No exotic tree/fodder species are introduced.

3) The focus of habitat development is aimed towards expanding the habitat and fodder base of wild animals.

4) The habitat development is done for restoration of land degraded habitats and to reduce man-animal conflict.

5) Maintain special habitats like snag, den trees, caves, overhangs etc. for other species.

Overwood removal and fodder plantation

Since rhino prefers riverine grassland and savannah grassland for food and shelter, controlling the invasion of grassland by the pioneer tree species is an important strategy for development of rhino habitat. The process of overwood removal followed by artificial regeneration for maintaining grassland habitat is an extremely important component of management in Gorumara National Park to halt the encroachment of woodland in the grassland.

Plantation of Indigenous Grasses

The plantation of indigenous fodder grasses are taken up in Gorumara NP in degraded forest areas, or as follow up action of weed eradication and overwood removal. These plantations are done to increase the fodder base for wild animals, so that they et adequate food inside the PAs and do no stray out of the PAs into the human habitation or agricultural field.

Control burning of old grass plantations for natural regeneration of grassland

The fodder grass plantations, which were earlier raised in Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary and Gorumara National Park, as well as the coarse fodder grass areas also start loosing their importance as foraging areas, since the animals do not prefer coarse and old Dhadda grasses as fodder. All such older plantations and natural grassland with good stem density are gradually taken up for cut-back operations to be followed by control burning to facilitate regeneration of young shoots.

Thinning of older plantations and conversion of monoculture plantations into mixed plantations

Some parts of Gorumara N.P contain excellent monoculture plantations of timber species. These plantations mostly comprise monoculture of teak, jarul and some other species of commercial importance. Such plantations have been raised in the past and need mechanical thinning for further growth.

We are gradually converting these monoculture teak plantations into mixed plantations of teak and bamboo so as to develop these areas as better elephant habitat.

Embankment protection works

Soil erosion is a major problem in Nor5th Bengal to flash floor and change in river course. Due to soil erosion, many critical habitats are lost. Embankment protection work on Dimna river, Jayanti river and Mahananda river has been done during 1999-2000. Some soil conservation structures have been made to protect forests from erosion of Murti and Diana rivers in Gorumara NP.

Village ecodevelopment would reduce negative interactions of local people on biodiversity and increase collaboration of local people in conservation. Under this component the scheme would:

Conduct participatory microplanning and provide implementation-support, using contracted local NGOs, expert advisors, workshops, materials, training (of government officials, NGOs, local people,and PA staff).

Implement reciprocal commitments that foster alternative livelihoods and resource uses to be financed by a village Eco-development program and that specify measurable actions by local people to improve conservation.

Conduct special programs to

Support additional joint forest management in reserve forests in the immediate vicinity.

Develop the voluntary relocation option for people in the PAs.

Provide other supplemental investment through a discretionary reserve for PA managers to allocate to area with special needs .

• Please obtain permits from Gorumara Nature Interpretation Complex, Lataguri before entering.
• Keep fire away. This is the most destructive of all forces. Please do not kindle fires, throw lighted matches, cigarettes etc.
• Keep the forest clean.
• Picnics are strictly prohibited.
• Drive slowly. (permissible speed is 20 k.m/hr).
• Keep pets at home.

• Do not stray away from your group. Follow the specific road/path only.
• Avoid loitering in the dark.
• Keep sober. Do not consume alcoholic drinks within the sanctuary.