Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary

{{Infobox protected area

| name = Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary

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| photo = Senchal WLS.jpg

| photo_alt =

| photo_caption = Entrance to the Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary, Darjeeling

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| map = India West Bengal

| map_alt =

| map_caption = Map of West Bengal

| map_width =

| location = Darjeeling District, West Bengal, India

| nearest_city =

| coordinates = {{coord|26.9938|N|88.2652|E|region:IN-WB|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

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| area = {{Cvt|38.6|km2}}

| established = 1915

| visitation_num =

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| governing_body =

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}}

Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary was set up in 1915 in the Darjeeling District of West Bengal, India.

Geography

Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the oldest wildlife sanctuaries of India and covers an area of {{Cvt|38.6|km2}}. The elevation ranges from {{Cvt|1500|to|2600|m}}.{{cn|date=April 2024}}

Ecology

Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary provides habitat for barking deer, wild boar, Himalayan black bear, Indian leopard, jungle cat, rhesus monkey, Assam macaque, and Himalayan flying squirrel. The sanctuary is also rich in bird life. The two Senchal lakes supply drinking water to the town of Darjeeling.

The sanctuary consists of compactly blended natural and man-made forests. Oak is the most represented, followed by Kapasi, Katus, Kawla, Champ, etc.{{Cite web|title=Wildlife Wing :: Directorate of Forests Govt. of West Bengal|url=http://www.wildbengal.com/senchal-wls.php|access-date=2021-06-28|website=www.wildbengal.com}}

The temperature range is from {{cvt|1.7|C}} during the cold season to {{cvt|18.9|C}} during the hot season.{{Cite web|title=Details of Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary, West Bengal {{!}} Check out Places to Visit|url=https://www.detailsofindia.com/wildlife-sanctuaries-of-india/himachal-pradesh-senchal-wildlife-sanctuary/|access-date=2021-06-28|website=www.detailsofindia.com}}

In 2022, scientists of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have sighted the Satyr tragopan, a rare bird in the park.{{Cite web |title=Rare bird sighted at Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary after 170 years |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/rare-bird-sighted-at-senchal-wildlife-sanctuary-after-170-years/cid/1861571 |access-date=2023-07-23 |work=Telegraph India |author=Sinha, A. |date=2022}}

Tourism

Darjeeling's first cycle-only trail was opened in the park in January 2017.{{Cite news |last=Marsh |first=S. |date=2017 |title=Darjeeling’s new Himalayan cycle trail |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/feb/21/darjeeling-india-new-bike-trail-senchal-wildlife-park |access-date=2023-07-23}}{{Cite news |title=This Cycling Trail Is In One Of India's Oldest Protected Areas|newspaper=Outlook India|date=2022|author=OT Staff|access-date=2023-07-23|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/travel/a-cycling-trail-is-in-one-of-india-s-oldest-protected-areas-news-200098}}

References

External links

[http://www.wildbengal.com/senchal-wls.php Senchal Game Sanctuary] at wildbengal.com (West Bengal Wildlife Sanctuaries)

Category:Wildlife sanctuaries in West Bengal

Category:Tourist attractions in Darjeeling district

Category:Protected areas established in 1915

Category:1915 establishments in British India