Buxa Tiger Reserve Map, Flora, Fauna, Significance

Buxa Tiger Reserve is located in the Alipurduar district of West Bengal. Know all about Buxa Tiger Reserve Map, Flora, Fauna & its Significance for the UPSC exam.

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Buxa Tiger Reserve

Buxa Tiger Reserve is located in the Alipurduar district of West Bengal, India. It was established in the year 1983 and was declared a national park in the year 1992. The reserve covers an area of 759 square kilometers and does not have any resident tigers. The reserve was declared a tiger reserve in 1983, but no tiger sightings have been reported since the 1990s. There are several reasons for the low tiger numbers in Buxa Tiger Reserve, including habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching, and human-wildlife conflicts.

The Buxa Tiger reserve also suffers from encroachment and illegal logging activities, which further degrade the habitat and threaten the survival of tigers and other wildlife species. In addition to tigers, the reserve is also known for its diverse flora and fauna. It is a part of the Buxa-Kamakhyasagar Elephant Reserve and shares its boundaries with Bhutan.

Read about: Tiger Reserves in India

Buxa Tiger Reserve Landscape

Buxa Tiger Reserve is located in the northern part of West Bengal and is surrounded by the Buxa Hills, a branch of the Eastern Himalayas. The highest peak in the reserve is Raimatang which rises up to a height of 2,250 meters above sea level. The reserve also has other important mountain ranges such as the Sinchula Range and the Chel Range.

The main rivers flowing through the reserve are the Sankosh, Raidak, and Jayanti rivers. The Sankosh River originates from the Himalayas and is the largest river in the reserve. The Raidak River is another important river that originates from Bhutan and flows through the reserve before joining the Brahmaputra River. The Jayanti River, also known as the “Queen of Buxa,” is a small stream that originates from the Bhutan Hills and flows through the reserve, providing water to the wildlife.

The climate of the reserve is mostly humid subtropical with hot summers and cool winters. The monsoon season begins in June and lasts until September, bringing heavy rainfall to the region. The best time to visit Buxa Tiger Reserve is from October to May, when the weather is pleasant and the animals are most active.

Read about: Panna Tiger Reserve

Buxa Tiger Reserve Map

Here is a map of Buxa Tiger Reserve given below for a better understanding:

Buxa Tiger Reserve Fauna

Below is an elaborate account of the diverse fauna species that inhabit Buxa Tiger Reserve.

Fauna	Important Species	Unique Feature
Mammals	Indian Gaur, Elephant, Sambar Deer, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Fishing Cat, Marbled Cat, Leopard Cat, Jungle Cat, Himalayan Black Bear, Sloth Bear, Chinese Pangolin, Indian Pangolin, Indian Civet, Large Indian Civet, Small Indian Civet, Yellow-throated Marten, Himalayan Palm Civet	Diverse range of mammals, including many endangered and rare species
Birds	Rufous-necked Hornbill, Great Indian Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Grey Peacock Pheasant, Red Junglefowl, White-crested Laughingthrush, Spotted Laughingthrush, Himalayan Cutia, Rufous-throated Partridge, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Black Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Oriental Honey Buzzard, White-throated Kingfisher, Common Kingfisher	Rich birdlife with a mix of resident and migratory species
Reptiles	King Cobra, Indian Rock Python, Banded Krait, Common Krait, Rat Snake, Indian Cobra, Checkered Keelback, Green Pit Viper, Oriental Garden Lizard, Indian Monitor Lizard	Variety of snakes, including venomous species, as well as lizards
Amphibians	Indian Bullfrog, Green Frog, Bicoloured Frog, Wrinkled Frog, Skittering Frog, Asian Toad, Marbled Toad	Diverse range of frogs and toads, including several endemic species
Fishes	Pabdah Catfish, Snakehead Murrel, Rita Catfish, Indian Trout, Ticto Barb, Olive Barb, Indian Glassy Fish, Garra, Danio, Barilius	Rich aquatic fauna, including several species of fish

Read about: Nagarhole Tiger Reserve

Buxa Tiger Reserve Flora

Among the significant floral species found in Buxa Tiger Reserve are the following:

Important Species	Scientific Name	Unique Qualities
Sal	Shorea robusta	Dominant tree species, used for timber and other forest products
Teak	Tectona grandis	Valuable timber species, used for furniture and construction
Champa	Michelia champaca	Fragrant flowers used for perfumes and traditional medicine
Poinciana regia	Poinciana regia	Ornamental flowering tree, used for landscaping
Rhododendron	Rhododendron arboreum	Evergreen tree with showy flowers, used for ornamental purposes
Bamboo	Bambusa arundinacea	Used for construction and handicrafts
Elephant Apple	Dillenia indica	Fruit used for making pickles and curries
Indian Gooseberry	Phyllanthus emblica	Edible fruit with medicinal properties
Wild Banana	Musa balbisiana	Edible fruit with medicinal properties
Wild Betel Nut Palm	Areca catechu	Edible nuts used for chewing and traditional medicine
Indian Mahogany	Swietenia mahagoni	Valuable timber species, used for furniture and construction

Read about: Pench Tiger Reserve

Buxa Tiger Reserve Tourism

Buxa Tiger Reserve is a haven for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. Visitors can expect to witness the beauty of dense forests, streams, and waterfalls. The reserve offers a variety of activities such as trekking, camping, bird watching, and jungle safaris.

The nearest airport and railway station to the reserve is in Siliguri, which is around 160 km away. From Siliguri, one can take a taxi or bus to reach Buxa Tiger Reserve. The reserve can also be reached by road from Kolkata and other nearby cities. The best time to visit Buxa Tiger Reserve is between October and May when the weather is pleasant and the chances of wildlife sightings are higher.

Some of the nearby tourist places that can be visited along with Buxa Tiger Reserve are Jayanti, Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary, Gorumara National Park, and Chilapata Forest.

Read about: Pilibhit Tiger Reserve

Buxa Tiger Reserve UPSC

Buxa Tiger Reserve is a significant topic in the UPSC Syllabus under the Environment and Ecology section. Aspirants are expected to have a detailed understanding of the reserve’s location, flora and fauna, and conservation efforts. To prepare for the UPSC exam, candidates can refer to various online resources and UPSC Mock Test platforms such as Explore StudyIQ UPSC for effective exam preparation and evaluation of their preparation level.

Read about: Mudumalai Tiger Reserve

Buxa Tiger Reserve FAQs