Buxa Tiger Reserve

• Location: Alipurduar district, West Bengal, in the Dooars region of the eastern Himalayas.
• International Boundary: Located along the India–Bhutan border.
• Tiger Reserve: Declared a Tiger Reserve in 1983 under Project Tiger.
• National Park: Buxa National Park is located within the larger Buxa Tiger Reserve landscape.
• Topography: The reserve includes forests, grasslands, rivers, streams and foothills of the Eastern Himalayas.
• Altitude: The landscape ranges from the Dooars plains to hilly terrain towards Bhutan.
• Important Rivers: Sankosh, Raidak, Jayanti and Kaljani are important rivers associated with the Buxa landscape.
• Sankosh River: Forms part of the eastern boundary of the reserve.
• Bhutan Link: Buxa is ecologically connected with the forests of Bhutan, facilitating wildlife movement across the border.
• Important Wildlife: Tiger, Asian elephant, leopard, clouded leopard, gaur, sambar, chital, wild boar and Himalayan black bear.
• Elephant Habitat: An important elephant habitat and wildlife corridor in North Bengal.
• Bird Diversity: Rich in avian diversity, owing to its varied forest and Himalayan foothill habitats.
• Buxa Fort: The historic Buxa Fort is situated in the reserve and is an important landmark of the region.
• Nearby Protected Areas: Jaldapara National Park and Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary are important protected areas of the wider Dooars landscape, but they are not part of Buxa Tiger Reserve.
• Ecological Significance: Important for transboundary conservation, elephant movement and biodiversity of the Eastern Himalayan foothills.

Prelims Question

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Buxa Tiger Reserve:

1. It is located in West Bengal.
2. It shares an international boundary with Bhutan.
3. The Sankosh River is associated with its eastern boundary.
4. Jaldapara National Park forms part of Buxa Tiger Reserve.
5. It is an important habitat and corridor for Asian elephants.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Answer: (a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only

Explanation

• 1 — Correct: Buxa Tiger Reserve is in Alipurduar district of West Bengal.
• 2 — Correct: It lies along the India–Bhutan border.
• 3 — Correct: The Sankosh River is associated with the eastern boundary.
• 4 — Incorrect: Jaldapara National Park is a separate protected area, although both are part of the wider Dooars landscape.
• 5 — Correct: Buxa is an important elephant habitat and corridor in North Bengal.

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