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 Significance at International level

The Gorumara National Park bears its significance in the International context for providing shelter and protection to various species of wildlife included in the Red Data Book (R.D.B.) of the IUCN and the appendices of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna).

RDB listing and CITES Appendix of species

Sl. No.SpeciesRDB ListingCITES Appendix
1.Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis)Endangered(E)I
2.Gaur (Bos gaurus)Vulnerable(V)I
3.Elephant (Elephas maximus) Endangered(E)I
4.Leopard (Panthera pardus)Threatened(T)I
5.Jungle Cat (Felis chaus)-II
6.Fishing Cat (Felis viverrina ) --
7.Leopard Cat ( Felis bengalensis )--
8.Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatto)Near Threatened (NT)II
9.Bonnet Macaque (Macaca radiata)--
10.Rock Python (Python molurus )-I
11.Particoloured Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes alboniger )EI
12.Hispid Hare (Caprolagus hispidus)E-
13.Chinese Ferret Badger (Melogale moschata)--
14.Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla)NT-
15.Indian Soft-shelled turtle (Lissemys punctata )--
Appendix I = Ban on International Trade. Appendix II = International Trade permitted with restriction)


The Protected Area – Gorumara National Park

Gorumara National Park, one of the recent introductions to the National Parks Map of India, had been a Wildlife Sanctuary (vide Notification No. 5181-FOR, dt: 02.08.1949) and a Reserve Forest Since 1895 (Notification No. 3147-FOR, dt: 2nd July 1895 with corrections later on), under the Indian Forest Act (VII of 1878). An important inclusion in the National Parks family, Gorumara National Park is famous for one of the last small pockets in Eastern India harbouring natural population of Great Indian one horned Rhinoceros, along with other megaherbivores like Indian Elephant, Gaur or Indian Bison and other herbivores and members of the order carnivora. The National Park is located in the flood plains of Jaldhaka and Murti river and other medium and small rivers and rivulets which have created a pocket of grassland. A part of the civil district of Jalpaiguri in the State of West Bengal, Gorumara National Park is situated between latitude 26047' 12.5'' N ( at old Khunia Check Post) to 26043' 25.6'' N ( at the end of Bichabhanga Road near 10 Nos. Culvert and longitude 88052' 4.2'' E ( at Jaldhaka River B ed near “0” Bundh ) to 88047' 7.3'' E ( at the junction of Central line and NH-31 . An area comprising of 2129 acre was first declared as Gorumara Wildlife Sanctuary vide Government Notification No. 5181-For, dt: 02.08.49. Subsequently, notification was issued under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 ,vide No. 5400-For, dt: 24th June, 1976, comprising a total area of 8.62 Sq. km. declaring the area as Gorumara Wildlife Sanctuary. During the year 1994, a Government Notification No. 319-For, dt: 31st January, 1994 was issued with the intention of declaring the area as Gorumara National Park, with major extension of the existing Gorumara Wildlife Sanctuary comprising a total area of 79.99 Sq. km. The District Magistrate and Collector, Jalpaiguri, vide his Memo No. 413/1 L.A. dt: 12.07.1996 to the Principal Secretary Forests and Environment, Government of West Bengal, requested for the publication of final notification in terms of Section 35(A) and Section 35(B) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 declaring the land as Gorumara National Park vide notification no 1- For, Calcutta, 1st January, 1998. Govt. of West Bengal. Since its inception as Reserve Forest, Game Sanctuary, Wildlife Sanctuary and intended National Park, till the month of November 1995 (21.11.95) the area was looked after by the Jalpaiguri Forest Division under the Conservator of Forests, Northern Circle, West Bengal. On 22nd November, 1995, following a re-organisation of the Forest Directorate, West Bengal, the total area of the Gorumara National Park, carved out of the Jalpaiguri Forest Division was handed over to the Wild Life Division-II under the Conservator of Forests, Wild Life Circle, vide Govt. of West Bengal Notification No. 4983-For, dt: 25th Sept.1995. The National Park currently has two territorial ranges, four squad ranges, six beats and 7 camps. The Gorumara National Park had been further extended by taking over position of 351.53 acres from Ramsai Mouza, Maynaguri P.S. and 320.48 acres from Bamandanga T.G. Mouza and 175.01 acres from Tondu T.G. Mouza under Nagrakata Police Station as Compensatory A forestation Scheme for implementation of Teesta Low Dam Project Stage-IV . For improvement and protection of this newly added area, a separate Beat has to be created. As the newly added land makes corridor in between Gorumara and Khairkata Forest i.e. Central Diana and South Diana R.F. under Jalpaiguri Forest Division, comprising the area of the both reserve forest compartment and newly added area a separate Beat may be opened for better protection of Forests & Management of Wild Life. Taking Forest Blocks in between Gorumara National Park & Chapramari Wild Life Sanctuary i.e. Panjhora Block, North Indong Block and Hilajhora Block and South & Central Diana Block and newly added area, concept of Gorumara Buffer may be initiated.                                                                                                                                                                           << Back
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