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Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary

Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary was set up in 1915 in the Darjeeling District of West Bengal, India. It is one of the oldest wildlife sanctuaries of India. It covers an area of 38.6 km2 (14.9 sq mi). The elevation ranges from 1,500 to 2,600 m (4,900 to 8,500 ft). High-altitude animals such as barking deer, wild pig, himalayan black bear, leopard, jungle cat, common rhesus monkey, Assam macaque, Himalayan flying squirrel, etc. are found in their natural habitats. The sanctuary is also rich in bird life. The two Senchal lakes supply drinking water to the town of Darjeeling.

The main forest area is a bit bar from the lake. 40% of the forest is natural and the balance is man made. But the blend is so nice that you won’t be able to make the difference. The forest has different kinds of trees and plantation including oak forest, pines and Birch. There are over 350 types of flowering plants in this area including Rhodendrons and Orchids.

The entire Senchal sanctuary covers an area of about 39 sq. km. including the lake. It is actually the south east extension of the Singhalila National Park. This sanctuary is considered one of the oldest in India and was opened in 1915.

Although access to the sanctuary is restricted, you can take special permission from the ranger’s office at Jorebunglow and take a guide to go around the area. A road (although not in a very good condition) goes through the Sanctuary and you can ask the driver to keep driving along as you watch the flora and the fauna.

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For complete details about the sanctuary, exact location, kind of animals, birds & reptiles you get to see there, best season to visit, how to book a wildlife package for this sanctuary, how to reach there, which saafri gate to take, also recent sighting details for all popular sanctuaries & tiger reserves, and LOT MORE, download our app – WildTrails India – available both on Android and iOS