History
The nomenclature “Dooars”
derived from the word “Dwar” or “Du-ar” which meant door. Actually, the entire
area was the gateway or door to South Bengal and southern states when the ancient
silk route used to be operative. Silk route was the largest trading corridor
that extended from Myanmar (Burma) to Afghanistan and beyond the Hindu Kush
mountains to Europe. With the passage of time, the silk route got abundant and
new avenues of business opened.
Present
But Dooars still remains
door or gateway to Assam and all northeastern states of India, Bangladesh,
Nepal and Bhutan and considered as a trading route.
But Dooars does not remain
only a trading route. The location of Dooars being on the foothills of the Himalayas, the mesmerizing beauty attracts a lot of tourists from the state and
nearby states. If we consider Darjeeling Himalayas to be the crown of Bengal
then Dooars is the necklace of the state.
However, Dooars has always
been my favourite destination and a special place to visit around the year for
the following reasons
The total area of Dooars is
around 880 sq km covering from river Sankosh on the west and river Dhansiri on
the east. The major rivers are Teesta, Torsa, Sankosh, Raidak, Jayanti, Jhaldhaka,
Murti, Karatoya, Kalchini on the western side and Manas, Dhansiri, Brahmaputra
on the east. These are perennially flowing rivers. There are hundred more
rivers and hill streams intersecting the area in every direction cover the
entire region which remains dry throughout the year. The beauty of the region
flourishes with the advent of monsoon. Since the majority of the rivers are flowing
from Bhutan the huge current bumping to the plains enhances the beauty of many
folds. There are many forest bungalows, tourist bungalows, hotels, resorts, and
homestays beside the rivers where tourists and travellers can relax enjoying
its beauty, and listen to the rippling music round the clock. People who have an inclination for river rafting can also participate in the sports in some of the
rivers flowing through Dooars
2. Forests of Dooars
Jaldapara National park,
Gorumara National Park, Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, Chapramari Wildlife
Sanctuary, Chilapata Forest, Singalila National Park, Neora Valley National
Park, Buxa Tiger Reserve in Bengal, and Manas National Park in Assam are
contagious and harbours animals like elephant, rhinoceros, gaur (Indian
bison), various varieties of deers including cheetal, sambar, clouded leopard,
Indian leopard, sloth bear, Himalayan black bear, wild fox, wolf, monitor
lizards, python, cobra, red panda, various types of monkeys and langurs,
otters, wild hares, Himalayan Thar, Bhutan takin, Himalayan goral, pygmy hog,
wild boar, crocodile, gharial, etc are found. Of late Royal Bengal Tiger has also
been spotted in the camera laid by the forest department. It’s a heaven for
wildlife lovers, who can explore the entire region to have full satisfaction.
Incidentally, the forest of Dooars is connected with Manas and Kaziranga National
Parks through forests of Bhutan and there is free movement of animals in the
region. The forests of Dooars remain closed generally from mid-June to
mid-September as the forest trails become inaccessible due to heavy rain and the period is the breeding season of the majority of habitats of Dooars.
3. Birdwatcher’s
Paradise
Dooars is the paradise for
ornithologists. Other than peacock, hornbill, parrot, kingfisher which can be
found in abundance, birds like the Eurasian spoonbill, Brahmani duck, various types
of storks, cormorant, red napped ibis, vulture, eagle, owlet, woodpecker,
dollar bird, green pigeon, merganser, etc as also common birds can be traced in
the forest trail especially in the morning and evening. The rivers of Dooars and
the water bodies give refuge to migratory birds during the winter season. There are
bird watching clubs in North Bengal who are undertaking programmes on a regular
basis to guide the ornithologists from pan India as also abroad. Heavy
rainfall, abundant supply of food, and temperature within reasonable limits help the majority of the birds to remain in this region throughout the year and
migration is minimum.
4. Tea
Gardens of Dooars
Tea Gardens are one of a feather in the cap of
Dooars. Stretches of tea gardens with varieties of tea throughout the entire
belt has increased its beauty. The gardens are well-trimmed, maintained, and
pruned on a regular basis so as to earn foreign currency from the supply of tea.
As all are aware, Darjeeling tea has worldwide fame. But Dooars is the extended
coverage where Darjeeling tea plantation takes place.
Tea tourism has become a
part of travel in Dooars and Darjeeling. The huge bungalows of tea gardens are
being let out to guests where the tourists can stay within the periphery of tea
gardens, enjoy local cuisine, and can have a taste of quality tea. It is a
relaxing change from the hustle-bustle of urban life where the tourist can be
in their own world.
5. Ethnic
Tribes of Dooars
The original residents of
the Dooars are Koch, Mech, Tharu, Dhimal, Rajbanshi still exist in their own
form despite getting mixed up with other communities. Their rituals, culture, and heritage persist with modification.
There are other tribes like
Santhal, Malpahari, Kheria, Munda, Oraon, Chik, Baraik, Magar, Ho, Khasi,
Korhoy, Rava, Garo, Dukpa, Boro, Hazong, Kachhai, etc who are either residing
for a long time or might have migrated from bordering Assam and Jharkhand and
majority of them are working in tea gardens. Few of the tribes have also
migrated from Bhutan and Nepal during the British period as their support staff but
have settled in Dooars for generations together.
There is a particular tribe
called Toto who is considered as one of the most primitive tribes of Dooars
staying concentrated in a particular area now called Totopara near Madarihat in
Alipurduar district. They are mainly engaged in agriculture and allied
activities and of late education has become their priority.
6. Handloom
and Handicrafts
Since the majority of the tribal
are self-reliant, their handloom and handicraft have taken an important place in
the map of the country. The Mekhla or Dokna is a traditional dress material
weaved through handloom which has a huge upcountry market. The gamchha or towel
woven by Rava, Garo, Boro, etc has created demand in the local and upcountry
market. The area is famous for 3Ts i.e. Tea, Timber, and Tourism. The furniture
and utilities prepared by the tribal of Dooars are quality products because of the high
quality of timber and their manufacturing skills. The Koch and Mech are expert in
manufacturing cane and bamboo products which are abundantly available in the
forests of Dooars. The entire Teesta and Torsa belt are jute growing areas. The
local tribal are also engaged in manufacturing jute products some of which are
ethnic with traditional values.
7. Cuisine
of Dooars
The entire region is
inhabited with various types of tribes having their own culture, heritage, and
food habits. As a result, the foodies can have varieties of tastes which not
only include tribal foods but also cuisines from Bengal, Assam, and migrated Bangladeshis
who have settled there. Considering the network of perennial rivers, huge
varieties of fishes are available round the year. The famous fish Boroli,
Chital etc are only available in few rivers of this region. Since the rivers of
Dooars are not contaminated due to industrial waste and pollution, the
traditional fishes still flow up and down the river and the places are not
dependent upon cultured fish. Along with the fish the varieties of “Shag”
(leafy vegetables) can add flavor to the taste buds of any tourist. I
personally have tasted vegetables cooked from tea leaves. The abundance of rainfall,
fertile soil, rich minerals, minimum use of fertilizers, and organic manure has
led to quality vegetables in this region and one can easily differentiate the taste
with the vegetables available in an urban area. A particular type of small size
potato, which is called Badami Alu locally, is the only product of this region
and not available even in the state capital. The tribal people mostly rear pigs,
goats, lambs along with hens, and ducks in the natural environment, and their
meat and eggs are available in the local market.
8. Places
of Interest
Coochbehar has been a
princely state even after independence with rich history and heritage. The
kingdom of Coochbehar extended up to Tripura and the family has a connection with the kings of Rajasthan. Coochbehar Palace has been converted to a museum under
Archeological Survey and mementos are being displayed there.
Buxa Fort has historical
importance in the freedom struggle. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and other
freedom fighters were imprisoned there. Presently, the fort is in dilapidated
condition.
There are other places like
Jalpaiguri Palace, Nal Raja Garh, Gosanimari-Rajpat which have got historical
importance but not being maintained properly
9. Trekking
Routes
The trekkers can visit
Dooars region to avail undisturbed natural trekking programmes to Sandakphu,
Bhutanghat, Buxa, Lepchakha, Singalila National Park. The trekking includes
trekking through mountain stretches, through jungles, along the river beds,
trekking for bird watching, trekking for the discovery of flora of Dooars, and to
the tribal villages in the foothills of Dooars. Trekking guides can be
contacted through trekking clubs in Dooars.
10.
Connectivity
The entire Dooars is well
connected from all angles. The nearest airport is Bagdogra in Siliguri which is
between 50 km to 200 km range depending on the location to visit. There is
another airport at Coochbehar which is presently inoperative but ready for
takeoff and landing which is in the range of 15 km and 100 km.
The railway track connecting
North-East India and the rest of the country pass through Dooars. The train
journey through Dooars is breathtaking and the entire beauty can be enjoyed in a couple of hours. The main stations are New Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Coochbehar,
New Mal Junction and Jalpaiguri.
The National Highway 31
passes through Dooars from Siliguri and all the locations are well connected
through a network of arterial roads. The road connecting India and Bhutan, India
and Nepal are also diversions of the national highway. Public transports from
Siliguri town are available in plenty connecting all important places of entire
Dooars.
11.
Logistics
Homestay has taken an
important place in Dooars. There are huge numbers of homestays in all the
locations. Staying in the residences of ethnic tribes, experiencing their
culture and cuisine will definitely be a new experience. The website www.humrohome.com can
be visited to choose the location of the stay. The charges are reasonable and
the host can act as a local guide to the tourists.
West Bengal Tourism
Corporation (WBTDC) has also set up hotels with all modern facilities. The
booking can be done from their website at Jaldapara, Batabari, Tilabari,
Gajoldoba, Mal, Kalimpong, Siliguri, Kurseong, Jalpaiguri www.wbtdcl.com and
for West Bengal Forest Development Corporation (WBFDC) at Murti, Rasikbil,
Barodabari(Malangi), Jaldhaka, Suntaleykhola, Mongpong, Samsing, Garubahan,
Buxa, Chilapata, and Lolegaon which can be booked through www.wbfdc.net.
Further, there are hotels
and resorts of all ranges in the majority of the locations and available within a reasonable range that can be checked from their individual websites.
12.
Transport
Tenzing Norgey Bus Stand and
P C Mittal Bus Terminal in Siliguri cater to the entire transport services of
Dooars. The government and private buses are available throughout the day as
also a few night services at a reasonable cost. Few buses are to be pre-booked and the rest can be booked on spot based on the availability of seats. Further, there are
share taxi services from Siliguri Taxi Stand for the entire Dooars. The
vehicles can also be booked privately for dropping or for continued services
throughout the stay. The cost depends upon season, availability, and period of
booking. In case of higher number of passengers of a group, it is better to
privately book the vehicles so as to have the liberty of movement.
So friends, while preparing
your bucket list of visiting places in COVID free world, why not keep the name
of Dooars and take a chance to enjoy nature in its entireness and select
the destination of your choice?
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