Chilapata Jungle Safari Closed for 3 Months: Locals Affected, Wildlife Gets Breathing Space

 Location: Dooars, North Bengal | Date: June 14, 2025

Segment: Travel Alert • Jungle Safari • Northeast India

As the monsoon makes its way into the eastern Himalayan foothills, several forest corridors across North Bengal are closing down temporarily, with Chilapata Forest announcing a complete closure of its safari routes from June 16 to September 15. This is part of an annual conservation schedule enforced by the forest department to allow wildlife to breed and the forest to recover during the rainy season.



A 3-Month Pause for Nature

The closure affects key eco-tourism hotspots, including:

  • Chilapata Forest Safari
  • Parts of Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Buxa Tiger Reserve buffer zones

All jeep safaris, elephant rides, nature walks, and forest stay permits have been put on hold. This is a routine process during the monsoon in all major Indian reserves, aimed at protecting the breeding cycle of animals like elephants, leopards, bison, and various bird species.

Voices from the Ground: “Without the forest, we are nothing.”

For those who depend on the forest for their livelihood, the closure brings financial uncertainty. In a heartfelt interview, a local gypsy driver/guide Mr Bimal Rava (Vutu) from Chilapata said:

“Teen maas bondho thakbe bole khub kharap lagchhe… Jungle na thakle bhalo lage na. Amra din katai tourist niye… ekhon ki korbo janina (It’s painful to stay away from the forest for three months. This is our life, we survive on tourist safaris—now we don’t know how we’ll manage).”


Many families in the region rely on tourism—jeep drivers, local guides, homestay owners, and food vendors all feel the impact. Yet most of them also support the need to let the jungle breathe and animals roam freely without the stress of human activity.

Why It’s Important

  • Monsoon safety: Heavy rains increase the risk of landslides, fallen trees, and vehicle skidding.
  • Animal welfare: Breeding months for elephants, peacocks, deer, and jungle cats.
  • Trail damage control: Frequent travel during monsoon degrades forest paths and disrupts natural growth.

When Will Safaris Resume?

If weather conditions permit, safari bookings and lodge access will resume from September 16, with full operations expected in October, just in time for the peak tourist season in Dooars.


#ChilapataSafariClosed #DooarsTravelAlert #GKTravel #JungleBreak #MonsoonUpdate #NorthBengalWildlife #Buxa #Jaldapara #EcoTourism #GKNewsIndia #JungleVoice


Location: Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India

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