Neora Valley National Park

About Neora Valley National Park

• It is located in the Kalimpong district of West Bengal.
• It is one of the richest biological zones in the entire Northeast.
• Boundaries
  • It is contiguous with Sikkim and Bhutan at its northern and north-eastern boundaries respectively and links the Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary in Sikkim and the Toorsa Strict Reserve of Bhutan.
  • The southern boundaries of the Park are adjoining to the forests of Jalpaiguri district which have connectivity with the Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary and the Gorumara National Park.
• The highest point of the park is Rachela Pass.
• It consists of the characteristics of all the three sub-regions, namely Himalayan Montane System, Indian Peninsular Sub-region and the Malayan sub-region.
• Four habitat types are recognised viz. Subtropical Mixed Broadleaf Forest, Lower Temperate Evergreen Forest,Upper Temperate Mixed Broadleaf Forest and Rhododendron Forest.
• Vegetation: Dry Mixed Forest, Wet Mixed Forest, Lauraceous Forest, Bak-Oak Forest, High level oak Forest, Coniferous Forest and Himalayas Moist Temperate Forest.
• Flora: The forests consist of mixed species like rhododendron , bamboo, oak, ferns, sal etc.
• Fauna: Red Panda, Himalayan Tahr, Himalayan Black Bear, Sambar, Barking Deer, Serow, Goral, Dhole and Gaur etc.

Q1) What are Rhododendrons?

It is a genus of flowering plants that includes over a thousand species, including trees, shrubs, and creepers. These are a diverse genus of about 1,000 species of woody flowering plants in the heath family (Ericaceae), notable for their attractive flowers and handsome foliage. They occur in a variety of habitats, including alpine regions, coniferous and broadleaved woodlands, temperate rain forests, and even tropical

Source: Royal Bengal Tigers spotted at 10,509 feet in Neora Valley National Park, confirming unique habitat