imported>BrownHairedGirl: removed Category:1986 establishments in India; added Category:1986 establishments in West Bengal using HotCat

2021-03-27T16:00:47Z

removed Category:1986 establishments in India; added Category:1986 establishments in West Bengal using HotCat

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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Singalila National Park
| alt_name =
| iucn_category = II
| photo = Vast green meadows and hills in Singalila National Park.jpg
| photo_alt =
| photo_caption =
| photo_width =
| map = India West Bengal
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| map_width =
| location = [[Darjeeling District|Darjeeling]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]]
| nearest_city = [[Manebhanjan]]
| coordinates = {{coord|27|07|N|88|04|E|region:IN-WB_scale:200000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coords_ref =
| area = 78.6
| established = 1986
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| governing_body = [[Government of India]], [[Government of West Bengal]]
| world_heritage_site =
| url =
}}
'''Singalila National Park''' is a [[national park]] of [[India]] located on the [[Singalila Ridge]] at an altitude of more than 7000 feet above sea level, in the [[Darjeeling district]] of [[West Bengal]]. It is well known for the trekking route to [[Sandakphu]] that runs through it.

==History==

The park was declared a [[Wildlife sanctuaries of India|wildlife sanctuary]] in 1986, and was made an [[List of national parks of India|Indian national park]] in 1992. The region had long been used as the trekking route from [[Manebhanjang]] to [[Sandakphu]] (the highest peak of [[West Bengal]]) and [[Phalut]].

==Geography==
{{OSM Location map
| width=420| height=270| zoom=10
| coord={{coord|27|5|0|N|88|15|0|E}}| float=left|caption='''Places and tea estates in the northern portion of Darjeeling Sadar subdivision (including Darjeeling Pulbazar and Rangli Rangliot CD blocks) in Darjeeling district''' CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, N: neighbourhood, H: hill centre, NP: national park/ wildlife sanctuary, TE: tea estate, TA: tourist attraction Abbreviations used in names – TG for Tea Garden (town/village), TE for Tea Estate Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly
|mark-coord1={{coord|27|3|10|N|88|12|25|E}}| label-pos1=left|label1= Chongtong TG| numbered1=CT| mark-title1= [[Chongtong Tea Garden]] (CT)|label-color1= #800000 |label-size1=11| mark-size1=12|shape1=l-circle|shape-color1= #A40000|shape-outline1=white|label-offset-x1=2
|mark-coord2={{coord|27|4|34|N|88|17|58|E}}| label-pos2=left|label2=Ging TG| numbered2=CT| mark-title2= [[Ging Tea Garden]] (CT)
|mark-coord3={{coord|27|3|10|N|88|13|43|E}}| label-pos3=right|label3=Singtam TG| numbered3=CT| mark-title3= [[Singtam Tea Garden]] (CT)
|mark-coord4={{coord|27|6|35|N|88|19|0|E}}| label-pos4=left|label4=Badamtam TG| numbered4=CT| mark-title4= [[Badamtam Tea Garden]] (CT)
|mark-coord5={{coord|27|6|35|N|88|20|0|E}}| label-pos5= right|label5=Badamtam TE| numbered5=TE| mark-title5= [[Badamtam Tea Estate]] (TE)| shape-color5=#87A96B
|mark-coord6={{coord|27|1|30|N|88|15|20|E}}| label-pos6=right |label6=Darjeeling| numbered6=M| mark-title6= [[Darjeeling]] (M)| shape-color6=#800000
|mark-coord7={{coord|27|4|35|N|88|11|30|E}}| label-pos7=left|label7=Bijanbari| numbered7=R| mark-title7= [[Bijanbari]] (R)| shape-color7=#C42222
|mark-coord8={{coord|27|6|35|N|88|6|30|E}}| label-pos8=right|label8=Lodhoma| numbered8=R| mark-title8= [[Lodhoma]] (R)| shape-color8=#C42222
|mark-coord9={{coord|27|3|50|N|88|15|4|E}}| label-pos9=left|label9=Pattabong TG| numbered9=R| mark-title9= [[Pattabong Tea Garden]] (R)| shape-color9=#C42222
|mark-coord10={{coord|27|3|50|N|88|16|4|E}}| label-pos10= right |label10= Puttabong TE | numbered10=TE| mark-title10= [[Puttabong Tea Estate]] (TE)| shape-color10=#87A96B
|mark-coord11={{coord|27|1|20|N|88|21|15|E}}| label-pos11=bottom|label11=Rangli|labela11 = Rangliot| numbered11=R| mark-title11= [[Rangli Rangliot]] (R)| shape-color11=#C42222
|mark-coord12={{coord|27|7|35|N|88|6|25|E}}| label-pos12=left|label12=Rimbick| numbered12=R| mark-title12= [[Rimbick]] (R)| shape-color12=#C42222
|mark-coord13={{coord|27|2|0|N|88|22|0|E}}| label-pos13=right|label13=Takdah| numbered13=R| mark-title13= [[Takdah]] (R)| shape-color13=#C42222
|mark-coord14={{coord|27|2|25|N|88|15|27|E}}| label-pos14=right|label14=Tukvar TG| numbered14=R| mark-title14= [[Tukvar Tea Garden]] (R)| shape-color14=#C42222
|mark-coord15={{coord|27|7|19|N|88|17|58|E}}| label-pos15=right|label15=Singla TG| numbered15=R| mark-title15= [[Singla Tea Garden]] (R)| shape-color15=#C42222
|mark-coord16={{coord|27|5|15|N|88|13|40|E}}| label-pos16=left|label16=Soom TG| numbered16=R| mark-title16= [[Soom Tea Garden]] (R)| shape-color16=#C42222
|mark-coord17={{coord|27|3|40|N|88|23|12|E}}| label-pos17=right|label17=Peshok TG| numbered17=R| mark-title17= [[Peshok Tea Garden]] (R)| shape-color17=#C42222
|mark-coord18={{coord|27|0|45|N|88|24|13|E}}| label-pos18=bottom|label18=Teesta |labela18 = Valley TG| numbered18=R| mark-title18= [[Teesta Valley Tea Garden]] (R)| shape-color18=#C42222
|mark-coord19={{coord|27|2|25|N|88|13|4|E}}| label-pos19=left|label19=Rishihat TG| numbered19=R| mark-title19= [[Rishihat Tea Garden]] (R)| shape-color19=#C42222
|mark-coord20={{coord|27|1|40|N|88|14|8|E}}| label-pos20=left|label20=Orange Valley TG| numbered20=R| mark-title20= [[Orange Valley Tea Garden]] (R)| shape-color20=#C42222
|mark-coord21={{coord|26|58|48|N|88|6|36|E}}| label-pos21=right|label21=Manebhanjyang| numbered21=R| mark-title21= [[Manebhanjyang, Darjeeling]] (R)| shape-color21=#C42222
|mark-coord22={{coord|27|2|4|N|88|4|46|E}}| label-pos22=left|label22=Tonglu| numbered22=R| mark-title22= [[Tonglu, West Bengal]] (R)| shape-color22=#C42222
|mark-coord23={{coord|27|0|40|N|88|14|47|E}}| label-pos23=right|label23=Ghum| numbered23=N| mark-title23= [[Ghum, West Bengal]] (N)| shape-color23=#E97451
|mark-coord24={{coord|27|6|21|N|88|0|6|E}}| label-pos24=right|label24=Sandakphu| numbered24=H| mark-title24= [[Sandakphu]] (H)| shape-color24=#87410E
|mark-coord25={{coord|27|12|30|N|88|0|56|E}}| label-pos25=right|label25=Phalut| numbered25=H| mark-title25= [[Phalut]] (H)| shape-color25=#87410E
|mark-coord26={{coord|27|5|0|N|88|1|50|E}}| label-pos26=bottom|label26=Singalila |labela26= National Park| numbered26=NP| mark-title26= Singalila National Park (NP)|shape-color26=black| label-size26=13|label-color26=black 
|mark-coord27={{coord|27|5|55|N|88|20|50|E}}| label-pos27=right|label27=Glenburn TE| numbered27=TE| mark-title27= [[Glenburn Tea Estate]] (TE)| shape-color27=#87A96B
|mark-coord28={{coord|27|4|28|N|88|22|10|E}}| label-pos28=right|label28=Lopchu TE| numbered28=TE| mark-title28= [[Lopchu Tea Estate]] (TE)| shape-color28=#87A96B
|mark-coord29={{coord|27|5|56|N|88|16|3|E}}| label-pos29=left|label29=North Tukvar TE| numbered29=TE| mark-title29= [[North Tukvar Tea Estate]] (TE)| shape-color29=#87A96B
|mark-coord30={{coord|27|5|15|N|88|16|50|E}}| label-pos30=right|label30=Phoobsering TE| numbered30=TE| mark-title30= [[Phoobsering Tea Estate]] (TE)| shape-color30=#87A96B
|mark-coord31={{coord|26|59|45|N|88|16|42|E}}| label-pos31=right|label31=Tiger|labela31= Hill| numbered31=H| mark-title31= [[Tiger Hill, Darjeeling]] (H)| shape-color31=#87410E
|mark-coord32={{coord|27|0|50|N|88|13|1|E}}| label-pos32=left|label32=Rock Garden| numbered32=TA| mark-title32= [[Rock Garden, Darjeeling]] (TA)| shape-color32=#228B22
|mark-coord33={{coord|26|59|20|N|88|15|54|E}}| label-pos33=bottom|label33=Senchal |labela33= Wildlife Sanctuary| numbered33=NP| mark-title33= [[Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary]] (NP)| shape-color33=#228B22
|mark-coord34={{coord|27|9|0|N|88|2|40|E}}|label34=Singalila Ridge| label-angle34=-70| label-pos34=top| label-size34=10| mark-size34=0| mark-title34 =none
|mark-coord35={{coord|27|9|20|N|88|10|0|E}}|label35=Rangeet| label-color35 = #77A1CB| label-angle35=70| label-pos35=top| label-size35=10| mark-size35=0| mark-title35 =none
|mark-coord36={{coord|27|7|1|N|88|12|0|E}}|label36= River| label-color36 = #77A1CB| label-angle36=7| label-pos36=top| label-size36=10| mark-size36=0| mark-title36 =none
|mark-coord37={{coord|27|1|5|N|88|25|30|E}}|label37=Teesta| label-color37 = #77A1CB| label-angle37=75| label-pos37=top| label-size37=10| mark-size37=0| mark-title37 =none
|mark-coord38={{coord|27|0|45|N|88|24|30|E}}|label38= River| label-color38 = #77A1CB| label-angle38=75| label-pos38=top| label-size38=10| mark-size38=0| mark-title38 =none
|mark-coord39={{coord|27|7|0|N|88|7|50|E}}|label39= Rammam|labela39=River| label-color39 = #77A1CB| label-angle39=15| label-pos39=top| label-size39=10| mark-size39=0| mark-title39 =none
|mark-coord40={{coord|27|4|1|N|88|6|0|E}}|label40= Lodhoma|labela40=River| label-color40 = #77A1CB| label-angle40=-40| label-pos40=top| label-size40=10| mark-size40=0| mark-title40 =none
|arc-coordA={{coord|27|10|57|N|88|11|50|E}}|arc-textA= SIKKIM| arc-text-colorA=hard grey| arc-angleA=-161| arc-gapA=-4| arc-radiusA=0.7
|arc-coordB={{coord|26|59|0|N|88|2|0|E}}|arc-textB= NEPAL| arc-text-colorB=hard grey| arc-angleB=40| arc-gapB=3.5| arc-radiusB=0.4
}}

'''Political geography:''' The park is located in the [[Darjeeling subdivision]], [[Darjeeling district]], West Bengal, India. It is bordered on the north by the state of [[Sikkim]] and on the west by the country of [[Nepal]].

'''Physical geography:''' The park is part of the Eastern [[Himalayas]]. The [[Singalila Ridge]], which runs roughly North to South and separates Himalayan West Bengal from the other Eastern Himalayan ranges to the west of it. The two highest peaks of West Bengal, Sandakphu (3630 m) and [[Phalut]] (3600 m), are located on the ridge and inside the park. River Rammam and River Sirikhola flow through the park.

Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivision. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.

[[File:Sandakphu.jpg|thumb|left|Sandakphu]]
[[File:Tonglutrekkershut.jpg|thumb|left|Tonglu trekkers hut]]
[[File:Meghma village on way to Sandakphu.png|thumb|right|Meghma village on way to Sandakphu]]
[[File:Kanchendzonga from sandakaphu.jpg|thumb|right|Kanchendzonga from sandakaphu]]

==Human history==

The park has no significant history of human settlement. However, small settlements have grown up along the trekking route to [[Sandakphu]] and [[Phalut]]. There is a reasonably large village at [[Kala Pokhri]], around the lake of the same name. The Singalila Ridge was used as an approach route by the first documented mountaineering team which unsuccessfully attempted to climb [[Kanchenjunga]] in 1905. The team was led by Jules Jacot-Guillarmod and the famous [[occultist]] [[Aleister Crowley]].

==Natural history==



===Biomes===

Because of the park's range in altitude, it includes three separate [[biome]]s, ranging from subalpine to subtropical, and three corresponding [[ecoregion]]s:

* The [[Eastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forests]] ecoregion, of the [[temperate coniferous forests]] biome
* [[Eastern Himalayan broadleaf forests]] ecoregion, of the [[temperate broadleaf and mixed forests]] biome
* [[Himalayan subtropical pine forests]] ecoregion, of the [[Tropical and subtropical coniferous forests|subtropical coniferous forest]] biome

The subtropical biome roughly exists in the altitude range of 1800 to 3000 m, and the temperate biome exists in the altitude range of 3000 m to 4500 m.

[[File:Valleybetwsandakphuphalut.jpg|thumb|left|Typical high altitude vegetation along the trek route from Sandakphu to Phalut]]

===Flora===

Thick [[bamboo]], [[oak]], [[magnolia]] and [[rhododendron]] forest between 2000 and 3600 m cover the Singalila Ridge. There are two seasons of wildflower bloom - one in [[Spring (season)|spring]] (March and April) when the rhododendrons bloom, and another in the post-monsoon season (around October), when the lower forests bloom (''[[Primula]]'', ''[[Geranium]]'', ''[[Saxifraga]]'', ''[[Bistort]]'', ''[[Senecio]]'', ''[[Cotoneaster]]'' and numerous [[orchid]]s). Sandakphu is known as the "mountain of poisonous plants" due to the large concentration of Himalayan cobra lilies (''[[Arisaema]]'') which grow there.

The plant life has been surveyed in 2001.<ref>{{cite journal |first1=A.P. |last1=Das |first2=Chandra |last2=Ghosh |title=Plant wealth of Darjiling and Sikkim Himalayas vis-à-vis Conservation |journal=NBU Journal of Plant Sciences|volume=5 |issue=1 |date=March 2011 |pages=25–33| url=https://www.academia.edu/4824876/Plant_wealth_of_Darjiling_and_Sikkim_Himalayas_vis-%C3%A0-vis_Conservation._By_A.P._Das_and_Chandra_Ghosh |publisher=University of Bengal |access-date=18 December 2014}}</ref>



===Fauna===

'''Mammals:''' The park has a number of small mammals including the [[red panda]], [[leopard cat]], [[barking deer]], [[yellow-throated marten]], [[wild boar]], [[pangolin]] and [[pika]]. Larger mammals include the [[Himalayan black bear]], [[leopard]], [[clouded leopard]], [[serow]] and [[takin]]. [[Tiger]]s occasionally wander into the area, but do not have a large enough prey base to make residence in these forests feasible.

'''Birds:''' The park is a birder's delight with over 120 species recorded including many rare and exotic species like the [[Himalayan Vulture]], [[scarlet minivet]], [[kalij pheasant]], [[blood pheasant]], [[satyr tragopan]], brown and fulvous [[parrotbill]]s, [[rufous-vented tit]], and [[Old World babbler]]s like the [[fire-tailed myzornis]] and the [[golden-breasted fulvetta]]. The park is also on the [[flyway]] of many [[migratory bird]]s.

'''Reptiles and amphibians:''' The endangered [[Himalayan newt]] frequents the region and congregates around the lakes of [[Jore Pokhri Wildlife Sanctuary|Jore Pokhri]] and [[Sukhiapokhri]] and nearby lakes to reproduce. Jore Pokhri and Sukhiapokhri are within 20 km of the park boundary and are protected wildlife sanctuaries.

==Conservation issues==

The major issues at the park are trash collection on trekking routes and ensuring minimal damage of flora by trekkers, as flora at such high altitudes tend to grow really slowly. Grazing of [[yak]] and [[cattle]] from neighbouring villages can also be a problem. Forest fires can be a threat to the park, especially in spring when the accumulated debris from winter can be a hazard. A forest fire swept through the park on 6 March 2006.

Even though the national park has a resident [[red panda]] population of only about 42(in 2019) members, Project Red Panda (funded by the [[Central Zoo Authority]]) chose Singalila National Park for reintroduction of red pandas from its [[captive breeding]] program at the [[Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park]] in [[Darjeeling]], mainly due to reasons of proximity. Two females, Sweety and Milli, were released in November 2004. Milli was killed by a leopard, but Sweety adapted to the wild and gave birth to an offspring - the first such successful re-entry for red panda. [http://www.telegraphindia.com/1041208/asp/nation/story_4100068.asp]

The reintroduction was filmed by noted Indian filmmakers Rajesh Bedi and Naresh Bedi. The documentary, named [[Cherub of the Mist]], won the Best Conservation and Environmental Film at the 29th International Wildlife Film Festival in [[Montana]]. [https://web.archive.org/web/20060624004352/http://in.news.yahoo.com/060409/211/63fo7.html]

==Park-specific information==

The park is one of the most popular family camping destination in the Eastern Himalayas. The two seasons to visit the park are in spring (March–May) and post [[monsoon]] (mid-September to early December). The park is closed to tourists from 16 June to 15 September every year on account of the monsoons.

===Activities===



'''Trekking and camping :''' The trek along the Singalila Ridge to Sandakphu and Phalut is one of the most popular ones in the Eastern Himalayas, due to the grand vistas of the [[Kangchenjunga]] range, and the [[Mount Everest|Everest]] range which can be seen from the ridge, and also for the seasonal wildflower blooms and birding. Treks begin at Manebhanjan which is 51 km (1.5 hours by road) from [[Darjeeling]]. The trekking routes inside the national park have 4 legs or stages.

* Manebhanjan to [[Meghma]] (2600 m): This is a 4-hour trek through the lower forest
* Meghma to [[Gairibans]] (2621 m): There are two alternative trekking routes. Both go via [[Tonglu, West Bengal|Tonglu]] (3070 m) and [[Tumling]] (2900 m). The boundary of the national park passes through Tomling and a checkpost is located there. From Tumling, a shorter trail cuts through Nepal and Jaubari (2750 m).
* Gairibans to Sandakphu (3636 m): This is a steep 4 hour climb up. Roughly halfway up the climb is the village of [[Kala Pokhri]] (3186 m).
* Sandakphu to Phalut (3600 m): This is the most pristine stretch of the trek, offering great views of Kanchenjunga and Mt. Everest. It is a one-day trek via Sabarkum (3536 m) covering 21 km. But the main problem of this Sandakphu-Phalut route is there is no water source in between so the trekker have to carry enough water to reach phalut.



The descent from Sandakphu can be accomplished in several ways:

* Retracing the way back to Manebhanjan.
* A steep descent to the village of Sirikhola on the banks of the River Sirikhola, via Gurdum (2300 m), and from there to Rimbik.
* There is now a 4WD motorable road to Sandakphu, so one can hire a cab down to Manebhanjan and Darjeeling via Tomling and Tonglu if needed. Concrete roads are made recently. Earlier roads were made by gravels.

The descent from Phalut can also be accomplished in several ways:

* Retracing the way back to Manebhanjan.
* A descent down to Sirikhola along high altitude meadows which have seasonal blooms. The descent is via Sabarkum and the abandoned village of Molley. A further trek leads one to the scenic village of Rimbik, which is motorable.
* The most popular descent is via the villages of Gorkey (on the banks of the River Rammam) and Samanden down to the village of Rammam. The trail then leads to Rimbik, and is shorter than the route via Sirikhola.
[[File:Singalilatrails.png|thumb|A schematic of trekking trails in the national park]]

'''Birding:''' The Singalila National Park is one of the most popular birding spots in the Eastern Himalayas, since it attracts a large number of birds due to its seasonal blooms. Blooming seasons are the best times to see birds.

===Lodging===
Sailung Tea House is a small cozy place to stay while at Meghma.
There are two roomed guest houses and trekkers' huts at [[Tonglu, West Bengal|Tonglu]], [[Gairibans]], Sandakphu, [[Phalut]], [[Kala Pokhri]] and several other locations in the park, run by the [[Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council]]. Numerous guest houses and lodging are available at [[Manebhanjan]]. The preferred way to visit the park is to stay in Darjeeling and camp inside the national park.

===Approach===

* Nearest airport:
**[[Bagdogra Airport]], [[West Bengal]]
**[[Gangtok]] Helipad, [[East Sikkim]] district, [[Sikkim]]
* Nearest railhead:
**[[narrow gauge railway|Narrow gauge]]: [[Ghum, West Bengal]]
**[[Standard Gauge]]: [[New Jalpaiguri]], West Bengal
* Nearest highway: [[NH 31A]] (Sivok-Gangtok) passes through Darjeeling (which is 1.5 hours by car from [[Manebhanjan]])
* Nearest town: [[Manebhanjan]] - the access point for [[Rimbick]] and [[Tumling]], the gateways to the park
* Nearest city: [[Darjeeling]]

== How to reach ==
'''By road''': Singalila National Park is well connected by road. But the roads are circular and the journey can feel like wave motion. 
The road route from [[Siliguri]] 
Siliguri > Sukna > Rangtong > [[Kurseong]]> Tung > [[Sonada]]> [[Ghoom]]> Manebhanjan > Tonglu - 90 km.

'''By rail''': The nearest railway station of is Ghoom Railway Station 31 km from Tonglu (entry point to the Singalila National Park).

'''By air''': Singalila National Park is located 13 km from [[Bagdogra Airport]] in Bagdogra. That is the nearest airport, but by road it is less than 100 km and takes 3 to 4 hours.

==Films==
* [[Singalila in the Himalaya]] by [[George Thengummoottil]] http://theindia.info/SingaliLaInTheHimalaya Film speaks about the history of Singalila ridge through a 14-day trek.

==References==
{{Reflist}}
*{{WWF ecoregion|name=Eastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forests|id=im0501}} Material from the following book:
**{{cite book|last=Wikramanayake|first=Eric|title=Terrestrial Ecoregions of the Indo-Pacific: A Conservation Assessment|year=2002|publisher=Island Press|location=Washington, D.C.|isbn=1-55963-923-7|display-authors=etal}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Singalila National Park}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070217180933/http://www.offthefence.com/content/programme.php?ID=374 Cherub of the Mist], a documentary

{{National Parks of India}}
{{Protected areas of West Bengal}}

[[Category:National parks in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1986]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Darjeeling district]]
[[Category:1986 establishments in West Bengal]]

Singalila National Park - Revision history

Shikha Jha: typo fix

imported>BrownHairedGirl: removed Category:1986 establishments in India; added Category:1986 establishments in West Bengal using HotCat