Sikiajhora - An Offbeat Destination of North Bengal
Sikiajhora- The Amazon Of Dooars

Sikiajhora is a small river (jhora) that passes through into the Buxa Tiger Reserve in the North Panialguri of Alipurduar. There is an  eco-park, which have  a boat riding service, is built around the rivulet which flows through the dense forest of Damnapur Range, rich in biodiversity. There is a watchtower also from where you can see a panoramic view of the entire river can and  of the dense graceful forest with a backdrop of the serene Himalayan range. The eco-park is a popular picnic spot with its lush green ambience posing as a perfect place for enjoying a day. There is a small picturesque bridge over a canal that falls into the rivulet. The Sikiajhora eco-park also has swings and fountains which are a favorite for children when they go for picnics and boat safari. People can also take long walks around the tea estates and enjoy the shades of trees

Wildlife of Sikiajhora

There is a huge numbers of different animal, bird, butterfly and plant  in the area and 60 per cent of the species found here are endemic to the reserve. You can see the footprints of wild animals  on the banks during the adventurous Sikiajhora boat safari. The elephant and the tiger are prime species found in the reserve and there are lots of Leopard, Fishing Cat, Leopard Cat, Jungle Cat, Indian Civet, Palm Civet, Wild Dogs, Malayan Giant Squirrels, Mongooses, Gaur, Small Clawless Otter and other animals.

Buxa Tiger Reserve is famous for having more than 516 species of migratory and local birds and Sikiajhora being a part of it inherits a lot of these endemic birds. Moreover, the marshy lands and presence of the waterbody makes it an ideal habitat for birds, especially water birds making it a paradise for bird lovers and birdwatching. Some of the birds found in Sikiajhora are herons, kingfishers, cormorants, storks, ducks, mallards, egrets, moorhens, ibis, and even hornbills.

Boat ride on Sikiajhora

The dense wet forest of Sikiajhora is popularly known as the “Amazon of Dooars” or "Sunderbans of North Bengal" for its stunning likeness to the river of  Amazon and the mangroves in Sunderbans. The unique Sikiajhora boat safari service attracts tourists and is known to showcase a wide range of birds and wild animals. Each boat can accommodate 10-14 people and only one boat at a time is allowed for the safari.

The interesting waterway courses through the wilderness bending under trees that hunch into the water and boatmen need to move the branches with sticks for the boat to have the option to go through. The 4km Sikiajhora boat safari features a wide scope of  seeing lots of  of rare orchids, medicinal plants, exclusive trees with the sound of exotic birds swimming in the water or roosted on branches singing. 

The boat ride is a thrill for tourists as it guarantees sights of an extraordinary assortment of butterflies, birds, and wild creatures. The boatmen carry a kukri with them on every boat ride as wild animals like elephants, wild boars or cheetahs are often found drinking water along the river. This tremendous adventurous boat safari has made Sikiajhora a must-visit for tourists in Dooars. 

When to visit Sikiajhora

The best time to visit Sikiajhora is from November to February. Tourists are generally not allowed to visit during monsoon as the water level rises here