About Chilapata Forest
Chilapata Forest is a dense forest reserve in Alipurduar district of West Bengal, located in the eastern Dooars region between Jaldapara National Park and Buxa Tiger Reserve. Covering part of an important elephant corridor, it is known for its sal and teak woodlands, diverse wildlife including elephants, leopards and one-horned rhinoceros, birdlife, and the ruins of Nal Rajar Garh. It offers jeep safaris and nature-based tourism managed by the West Bengal Forest Department.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a dense, semi-evergreen and sal-dominated forest with jeep safari tracks, watchtowers and forest clearings. The area is an elephant corridor between Jaldapara and Buxa, offering chances to see elephants, rhinoceros, deer, wild boar, leopards and diverse birds. Visitors can explore safari routes, visit the archaeological ruins of Nal Rajar Garh inside the forest, and stay at forest rest houses. The setting is quiet and natural with limited commercial development.
Key highlights
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Dense forest forming elephant corridor between Jaldapara National Park and Buxa Tiger Reserve
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Wildlife including Indian elephant, one-horned rhinoceros, leopard, deer and rich birdlife
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Jeep and elephant safaris operated by West Bengal Forest Department
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Ruins of Nal Rajar Garh fort inside the forest
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Watchtowers and forest rest house for wildlife viewing and stay
History of Chilapata Forest
The forest contains the ruins of Nal Rajar Garh, a fortified settlement believed to date to the Gupta period (4th-5th century CE) and associated with legends of King Nal. The area was historically part of the Cooch Behar princely state forests and later notified as reserve forest under forest management.
Culture & Context
The forest region is home to indigenous communities such as Rabha and Toto tribes of nearby Totopara, with traditional forest-dependent culture and folklore linked to Nal Rajar Garh.
Route
| By air |
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