Singalila National Park is located in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India. The national park is bordered with Sikkim state on the north and with neighbouring country Nepal on the west. The park is part of the Singalila Ridge of Eastern Himalaya, which runs from north to south. Sandakphu peak (3630 m) is the highest peak of the state West Bengal, located on the ridge inside the park.
Flagship animal National Park: Red Panda.
The park was notified in the year 1992.
The designated area of the National Park is 78.60 sq. km.
Elevation of the national park varies from 350 meters to 3650 meters from the mean sea level.
Best time for visiting the park is from March to May and September to December.
Flora
The vegetation of the national park is comprised of temperate coniferous forest, eastern Himalayan broadleaf forest, temperate broadleaf and mixed forest and subtropical coniferous forest. The predominant forest plant species are bamboo, oak, magnolia and rhododendron.
There are two flower blooming seasons are observed in the national park. Spring (March and April) when the rhododendrons bloom and post-monsoon season (around October), the lower forests bloom Arisaema (cobra lilies), Primula, Saxifraga, Bistort, Senecio, Cotoneaster, Geranium and many species of orchids).
Fauna
Mammal
Red Panda, Himalayan black bear, leopard, serow, takin, clouded leopard, leopard cat, wild boar, pangolin, pika, barking deer, yellow-throated marten etc.
Avifauna
More than 120 species of birds are recorded from this national park including scarlet minivet, kalij pheasant, satyr tragopan, golden-breasted fulvetta, brown and fulvous parrotbills, rufous-vented tit, fire-tailed myzornis, blood pheasant etc.
Reptiles
Many reptiles including the endangered Himalayan newt.
Park specific activity
Trekking and camping
Manebhanjan to Meghma (elevation: 2600 m)
Meghma to Gairibans (elevation: 2621 m)
Gairibans to Sandakphu (elevation: 3636 m)
Sandakphu to Phalut (elevation: 3600 m)
Birding
Seasonal blooming season is the best time for birding.
Approach to Singalila National Park
Nearest Airport: Bagdogra
Nearest Railway Station: New Jalpaiguri.
Roads well connect nearest town Manebhanjan.
