Singalila National Park

About Singalila National Park

• Location: Singalila National Park is located on the Singalila Ridge at an altitude of more than 7000 feet above mean sea level, in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal.
  • The Singalila Ridge runs from north to south and separates the Himalayan region of West Bengal from the other Eastern Himalayan mountain ranges on the west side.
  • The park is located in the Eastern Himalayas.
• Boundary: It is bordered by the state of Sikkim in the north and Nepal in the west.
• Establishment: It was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1986, and was made a National Park in 1992. 
  • The region had long been used as the trekking route from Manebhanjhyang to Sandakphu (the highest peak of West Bengal) and Phalut.
• Peak: The two highest peaks of West Bengal, Sandakphu (3630 m) and Phalut (3600 m) are located on the ridge and inside the park.
• Associated rivers: River Rammam and River Sirikhola flow through the park.
• Flora: Thick bamboo, oak, magnolia and rhododendron forest between 2000 and 3600 m cover the Singalila Ridge.
  • There are two seasons of wildflower bloom – one in spring when the Rhododendrons bloom, and another in the post-monsoon season, when the lower forests bloom (Primula, Geranium, Saxifraga , Bistort, Senecio, Cotoneaster and numerous orchids).
  • Sandakphu is known as the “mountain of poisonous plants” due to the large concentration of Himalayan Cobra Lilies (Arisaema), which grow there.
• Fauna: The park has a number of small mammals, including the Red Panda, Leopard Cat, Barking Deer, Yellow-throated Marten, Wild Boar, Pangolin and the Pika.
  • Larger mammals include the Himalayan Black Bear, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Serow and the Takin. Tigers occasionally wander into the area.
  • The park is also on the flyway of many migratory birds.
  • The endangered Himalayan Newt frequents the region, and congregates around the lakes of Jore Pokhri, Sukhia Pokhri and nearby lakes.