Location
The Jaldapara Wildlfe Sanctuary with an area of 216.51 sq.km, is a mosaic of woods, grassland, swamps and streams with great diversity of fauna and flora. It is located in the eastern part of Jalpaiguri district with NH-31 dividing it in two.

Wildlife
The Jaldapara Sanctuary is home for the Great Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros. Herds of elephants can frequently be found using it as feeding grounds. Hog deer, spotted deer, barking deer and sambar are found, as are Gaur or Indian Bison. Tigers and leopards might also be seen moving stealthily through grass and bush, if one is lucky. The Sanctuary is home for some rare and endemic species like the hispid hare, hogbadger etc, also for wild boar and sloth bears. A rich and varied avifauna is found here-the Crested Eagle, Pallas’s Fishing Eagle and shikra are common. So are Jungle fowl, peafowl, partridges and sometimes the Bengal Florican and lesser Pied Hornbill. Python, monitor lizards, krates, cobras, geckos and about 8 species of fresh water turtles enrich the reptilian diversity.

Anthropological & Cultural Heritage
This is the land where the primitive "Toto" tribe holds its last stand - refusing to be swamped by the main stream of civilisation. Toto have their home in "Totopara " - a village that lies to the north of the sanctuary. Their customs and culture have been the subject matter of great anthropological interest. This remote village has a small population of 950.

Bania ruins , the remains of an old fort and a big lake in Bania block, speak of the existence of an ancient settlement and culture. Locals believe that "Nala Raja" of the Epic lived here and the fort is called the "Nala Rajar Garh" . 

How To Get There
The place is well-connected by National Highways and State Highways to important railway stations like New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri. The Delhi-Gauhati and Howrah-Gauhati routes also connect this area.. Flights to Bagdogra, which is approximately 140 km from Madarihat are available from Delhi and Calcutta. 

Where To Stay
There are small lodges in Madarihat, just outside Jaldpara Wildlife Sanctuary, where one might stay. It is also possible to stay at the quaint and scenic forest rest house within the boundaries of the Sanctuary. Bookings for the forest rest house have to be made in advance at the Tourist Information Bureau, Govt. of West Bengal, 3/2 B.B.D.Bagh (E), Calcutta 700 001, India.