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Jaldapara National Park
Jaldapara National Park, situated in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, holds significant ecological, national, and international value. This protected area is renowned for its diverse flora and fauna. The park’s strategic location makes it a crucial habitat for various species.
However, Jaldapara National Park faces numerous conservation issues and challenges that require attention. In this article, we will explore the ecological significance of this park while addressing the pressing concerns it confronts.
Jaldapara National Park Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Notification | 2014 |
| Area | 216.3529 km2 |
| Habitat | Savannah covered with tall elephant grasses |
| Biographic zone | Lower Gangetic plain |
| Animals | Indian One-horned Rhinoceros, Leopard, Asian Elephant, Sambar, Barking Deer, Spotted Deer, Hog Deer, Wild Boar, Gaur; Bengal Florican, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Shikra, Finn’s Weaver, Peafowl, Lesser Pied Hornbill; Python |
| Plants | Saccharum Spp., Themeda arundinacea, T. vitlosa, Setaria palmifolia, Cymbopogon Spp., Thysanolaena maxima. Phragmites karka, Arundo donax, Imperata cycliderica |
Introduction
Jaldapara National Park, located in the Alipurduar district of West Bengal, was initially declared a ‘Game Sanctuary’ in 1941 for the protection of the Great Indian Rhinoceros. The park covers an area of 216.35 sq km and is situated between coordinates 26°50’43.20”N 89°13’36.76”E to 26°31’23.02”N 89°25’54.52”E.
It was later re-notified as the Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary in 1976 under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and further expanded by adding more area from the Cooch Behar Forest Division in 1990. In recognition of its ecological significance and biodiversity, it was upgraded and declared as the Jaldapara National Park in 2012 under Section 35 of the Wildlife Protection Act.
The primary objective behind this declaration was to provide protection to the Great Indian Rhinoceros, which is endemic to this region’s floodplains and grasslands.
Significance
Ecological significance
- Home to Great Indian Rhinoceros
- Remnant savannah grassland habitat
The presence of over 200 Great Indian Rhinoceros in this protected area is a testament to the ecological significance of providing a safe habitat for this Vulnerable species outside of their natural range.
Jaldapara National Park serves as a crucial refuge for the rhinoceros, constituting about 7% of the global population. The park’s tropical grassland ecosystem, particularly its savannah grasslands, plays a vital role in the survival of not only the rhinoceros but also other endangered grassland fauna such as the Hispid Hare and Bengal Florican. These savannahs are rapidly disappearing across India, making their preservation even more imperative.
Additionally, Jaldapara National Park supports a diverse wildlife community consisting of elephants, gaurs, sambar deer, as well as numerous bird and reptile species. Thus, this national park holds immense ecological importance in conserving the Great Indian Rhinoceros and safeguarding its associated rare savannah habitat and dependent biodiversity.
National significance
- Habitat for wildlife protected under Wildlife Protection Act
- Part of Buxa – Manas Elephant Reserve
Considered as a critical conservation area, Jaldapara National Park contributes significantly to the national efforts in protecting and preserving endangered wildlife species and their habitats. The park is home to several wildlife species that are listed under the highest levels of protection in the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972, including elephants, rhinoceros, sloth bears, tigers, leopards, pangolins, and multiple bird species.
Additionally, it provides refuge to other threatened mammals such as sambar deer, hog deer, and hispid hare. Jaldapara National Park is an integral part of the Buxa-Manas Elephant Reserve which connects two major protected areas at the national level: Buxa Tiger Reserve and Manas National Park. This connection facilitates gene flow between these areas for wide-ranging species like elephants and gaurs.
The park’s role in sustaining elephant populations across the Buxa-Manas landscape makes it of great national significance.
International significance
- Habitat for IUCN Red List and CITES listed species
With its diverse range of endangered wildlife species and its role in providing a protected refuge for breeding populations, Jaldapara National Park holds significant international importance in terms of conserving threatened wildlife.
The park is home to several species listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, including rhinoceros, elephant, tiger, fishing cat, and hispid hare. It also harbors other vulnerable species such as gaur, sambar, sloth bear, leopard, and hoolock gibbon. Additionally, the park supports the conservation of reptiles like the Indian python and turtles that are also listed by the IUCN.
Furthermore, many of these species are subject to regulation under different appendices of CITES for international trade control.
Geography and Climate
Jaldapara National Park Location Map
Location in foothills of Eastern Himalayas
Situated in the Alipurduar district of northern West Bengal, Jaldapara National Park is strategically located at the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas. This strategic positioning provides the park with a unique geographical advantage.
The park lies in the biogeographic zone 7B, which corresponds to the lower Gangetic plains eco-region. However, its placement at the first line of ridges and valleys of the Himalayas distinguishes it from the flat Gangetic plains. As a result, Jaldapara National Park boasts a diverse range of vegetation types, including semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests as well as grasslands.
Moreover, this location enables Jaldapara to harbor floral and faunal elements from both the Indo-Gangetic and Eastern Himalayan biogeographic zones.
Terrain, rivers, vegetation types
The terrain of the area surrounding Jaldapara National Park includes gentle slopes, valleys, and flat floodplains formed by rivers such as Torsa, Malangi, Hollong, Chirakhawa, and Bania. The elevation ranges from 46m to 1001m.
The major river system is that of Torsa flowing from north to south through the park along with its various tributaries. Other rivers include Malangi, Hollong, Chirakhawa, and Bania which create large grassland floodplains.
The variations in topography and soil types have resulted in a diversity of vegetation within the park. There are six main forest types including riverine forests along watercourses, sal forests dominating well-drained areas, wet mixed forests occurring in pockets of the western region, semi-evergreen and evergreen forests found in hilly and wetter parts, grassland savannah vegetation covering over 45% area providing prime rhinoceros habitat, and small bamboo brakes habitats.
This combination of different habitats supports a rich biodiversity in terms of plant species as well as bird and mammal populations within Jaldapara National Park.
Climate
The climate of Jaldapara National Park is characterized by a tropical monsoon climate with high humidity and heavy rainfall, creating an environment conducive to year-round vegetation growth.
Located in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, the park receives adequate moisture throughout the year due to its shielding from dry winter winds.
The summer months are hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from 27°C to 34°C.
The monsoon season starts in mid-June and brings significant precipitation, with July and August being the wettest months receiving over 300mm rainfall each. Approximately 80% of the annual rainfall occurs during this period.
Winter sets in by December, with minimum temperatures dropping to 14°C-26°C. However, unlike the northern plains, winter cold is moderated by the influence of moist Bengal plains.
This stable climate supports year-round tropical vegetation growth within the park’s boundaries.
Flora
- Types of vegetation
- Riverine, sal, wet mixed, semi-evergreen, evergreen, savannah
- Species of conservation importance
- Savannah grasses
- Other threatened flora
Flora within the boundaries of Jaldapara National Park comprises a diverse range of vegetation types, including riverine, sal, wet mixed, semi-evergreen, evergreen, and savannah grasslands. The park exhibits a mosaic of vegetation types due to variations in terrain, soil composition, and hydrology.
Riverine forests dominate watercourses with Khair-Sissoo associations. Moist deciduous sal forests cover central higher grounds while wet mixed forests occur in western pockets. Wet areas support semi-evergreen and evergreen forests. The most extensive vegetation type is the savannah grassland which covers 45% of the park and support prime habitat for rhinos and other grazers.
Notable plant species include the endemic climber Hibiscus fragrans and 47 endangered plants. Overall, there are over 1200 species comprising trees, orchids, ferns, lichens, among others. This heterogeneous flora adds to the landscape’s diversity and supports varied wildlife populations within the national park.
Fauna
- Mammals
- Rhinoceros – flagship species
- Other mammals like elephant, tiger etc.
- Birds, reptiles, fish
- Endangered species
- Rhinoceros ecology and distribution
Fauna within the boundaries of Jaldapara National Park comprises over 50 species of mammals, including the Great One-Horned Rhinoceros, elephants, bison, sambar deer, and macaques. The park also supports a diverse range of other mammal species such as wild boar, leopard, sloth bear, and barking deer.
Additionally, the grassland habitat is home to hog deer, hispid hare, langurs, and the endangered Bengal florican. Reptiles found in the park include turtles, pythons, and monitor lizards. Some endangered fauna that can be found within the park are tigers, fishing cats, pangolins, and hill mynas.
Notably, the population of Great One-Horned Rhinoceros has increased from about 100 in the early 1990s to over 200 individuals today. The diverse fauna present within Jaldapara National Park is a significant attraction for visitors seeking an understanding of its rich biodiversity.
Conservation Issues and Challenges
The conservation of Jaldapara National Park is confronted by various issues and challenges.
- Poaching has been a longstanding threat, particularly targeting rhinoceros for their valuable horns, resulting in the loss of 14 rhinos between 1990 and 2015. Additionally, poaching of other wildlife such as deer, pigs, and elephants occurs due to the proximity of fringe villages.
- Habitat loss and fragmentation are further concerns caused by developmental activities like road construction and settlement expansion.
- Human-wildlife conflicts arise from crop damage and property destruction caused by elephants and other wandering animals.
- The park also faces the issue of invasive weeds like lantana and eupatorium infesting grasslands, leading to habitat degradation.
- Unregulated tourism poses threats through disturbance to wildlife, littering, and habitat trampling.
- Other pressing matters include illicit grazing, fires, and unsustainable extraction of forest resources.
Addressing these challenges necessitates tackling poaching activities effectively while maintaining habitat connectivity, addressing local community needs, controlling invasive weeds, and promoting ecotourism practices within sustainable limits.
Conclusion
In conclusion, addressing the various conservation issues and challenges faced by Jaldapara National Park is crucial for the long-term survival of endangered species and the overall ecological integrity of this unique savannah ecosystem.
