Dooars or Duars are the alluvial floodplains in eastern-northeastern India that lie south of the outer foothills of the Himalayas and north of the Brahmaputra River basin. The enchanting Dooars region politically constitutes the plains of Darjeeling District, the whole of Jalpaiguri district and Alipurduar district and the upper region of Cooch Behar district in West Bengal and the districts of Kokrajhar and Bongaigaon in the state of Assam.
Daurs are also known as floodplains with the height of 90-1750 meters in India they are found around the area of West Bengal. The formation of daur is made up because of the material which is gathered on the sides of the river which is caused because of the flood. Siwaliks are the youngest ranges of the Himalayas.
The valley of these ranges is called ‘Duns’ or ‘Duars’. Doon or Dun is a local word for valley, particularly an open valley in the Shivaliks or between the Shivaliks and higher Himalayan foothills. This region is about 30 km wide and stretches over about 350 km from the Teesta River in West Bengal to the Dhansiri River in Assam.
Dooars is the gateway to the hill stations of North East India and Bhutan. Famous for its tea gardens, forests, and the River Teesta, it is ideal for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. The area is dotted by several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries which attract a lot of tourists from all over India and abroad, making it an important contributor to the economy and also the employer of a number of people. The timber industry flourishes in this region. A number of sawmills, plywood industries, and other allied business also act as an important contributor to the economy.
The region is known for its wildlife and tourist can spot herds of deer, one-horned rhinos, elephants, guars, and reptiles. These include Gorumara National Park, Buxa Tiger Reserve, Alipurduar, Chapramari Wildlife Park, Suntalekhola, Neora Valley National Park, Latpanchore, Rasikbil Bird Sanctuary, Samsing, Phuntsholing, Lava – Lolaygaon, Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, and Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary. A number of endangered animals live in the forests of the Dooars like Bengal tiger, Indian rhinoceros, Indian elephant, chital, sambar, clouded leopard, Indian leopard, gaur, Indian peacock and great Indian hornbill, monitor lizard, Indian Python, Indian cobra, reticulated python.
Bear species like sloth bear and Himalayan black bear live up north. The red panda, rhesus macaque, gray langur, binturong, pygmy hog, and Indian boar can be found. Indian fox, the Indian wolf, spotted linsang are some of the predators. The hispid hare is a very rare species which is found here. There are numerous other animals and bird species in the region. A driving trip from Kolkata to Dooars by road which is roughly 625 km in distance and highlights the driving route from Kolkata to Dooars.
Duar means ‘door’ and the region is far less crowded and peaceful, Broadly the area can be divided into Eastern, Central, and Western Dooars. The Western Dooars is most popular among tourists. The Gorumara forests and their surrounding area brings hordes of tourists every year. The main attraction of Central Dooars is the Jaldapara forests. The most popular destination of Eastern Dooars is the Buxa forests. its beautiful and soothing scenery of vast tea gardens spread across the hilly regions draws tourists from far and wide.
The entire area is known for its pleasant weather in winters. Mild summers. As such Dooars is best when visited in the winter season, i.e. between September and May. Famous for its tea gardens, forests, and the River Teesta, it is ideal for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. The region is known for its wildlife sanctuaries where one can spot herds of deer, one-horned rhinos, elephants, guars, and reptiles. The bird population here is an ornithologist’s delight. An added attraction is the Tiger reserve. White water rafting, trekking, and jungle safaris are must-dos.
Also worth visiting, are Hasimara and Buxar fort that attract hordes of tourists. The main mode of transport in the area is roadways. Most of the places are well connected by roads. The nearest airport is Bagdogra, connecting Kolkata and other major cities. The rail connection is through Alipurrduar. There are numerous hotels and lodges in the region that offer budget to luxurious accommodation to tourists. overall a week-long trip to Doars is an experience of a lifetime for anyone who wants to enjoy wildlife and nature at its pristine best.
