Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary


Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the foothills of the Himalayas, between the Teesta and Mahananda rivers. Situated in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India; it comes under Darjeeling Wildlife division and can be reached from Siliguri in 30 minutes. Sukna, the gateway to the sanctuary, is only 13 km from Siliguri and 28 km from Bagdogra airport. The sanctuary sprawls over 159 km2 of reserve forest and was started as a game sanctuary in 1955. In 1959, it got the status of a sanctuary mainly to protect the Indian bison and royal Bengal tiger, which were facing the threat of extinction.

Geography

The forest type in Mahananda WLS varies from riverain forests like Khayer-Sisoo to dense mixed-wet forest in the higher elevation in Latpanchar area of Kurseong hills. The variation in altitude and forest types helps the existence of a large number of species of mammals, birds and reptiles. Varying altitude from 500 ft at the southern range of Sukna forest to the elevation up to 4,500 ft at Latkothi beat office covers varied vegetation and is home to superb biome restricted species. Latpanchar actually forms the highest part of the Sanctuary, with an average altitude of 4200 ft.
Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivision. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.
Bengal Safari is constructed near Siliguri, the Parks presently having 3 nos. of Giant Safaris
1. Blended Herbivore Safari
2. Tiger Safari
3. Asiatic Black Bear Safari and Zoo Parks.
Bengal Safari a wildlife park was created with the following aims
• To give a rewarding experience to the guest visiting wildlife Park.
• To showcase the wealthy biodiversity of the area.
• To minimise biotic strain on protected areas.
• Endangered breed of wildlife is protected here
• Conservation and awareness to the general public at large.
• Analysis for the conservation of wildlife.

Biodiversity

Avian fauna listed from this park are of A1, A2 and A3 categories with IBA site code IN-WB-07.

Natural history

Biomes

Inside this wildlife sanctuary, the primary biomes corresponding to the ecozone are:
All of these are typical forest type of foothills of the Bhutan - Nepal - India hilly region between altitudinal range 500 ft to 4,500 ft.

Fauna

Birds at Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary includes some very endangered species like Rufous-necked Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Great Hornbill etc. Among the others swallow, swift, thrush, babbler, warbler, roller, minivet and sunbird can be found in abundance.
Some exotic species of mammals are reported from this area like Himalayan serow, Himalayan porcupine, Himalayan Black Bear and even more rarer like Binturong and Clouded Leopard. Other important mammalian species include Indian elephants, Indian bison, chital, barking deer, sambar, rhesus monkey, many species of lesser cat like fishing cat and jungle cat, leopard etc.