wildlife · Gorumara National Park, Dooars
Afternoon at the Chandrachur watchtower
Chandrachur is one of the watchtower slots sold for Gorumara, reached by vehicle from the Murti or Lataguri side. The tower looks over a clearing with a water hole and the forest edge beyond. Because it is less famous than Jatraprasad, it usually has fewer visitors, and on a quiet afternoon you can have long, calm views of gaur herds grazing.
Gaur are the biggest wild cattle in the world, and the bulls, dark brown with white 'stockings', can weigh close to a tonne. At Chandrachur they often come out in the last hour before dusk. Elephants, sambar, barking deer and peafowl visit too. Light fades fast in winter, so bring a camera that handles low light and keep your settings ready.
Book the last slot of the day, around 3:30–5 p.m. in winter, through the forest department portal or the Lataguri counter, and arrange a vehicle. If you are staying at Murti, Chandrachur is the most convenient tower. Return to your lodge before dark and do not stop on forest roads. Check current status before you travel.
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Where is the Chandrachur watchtower
Chandrachur is a watchtower on the Murti side of the Gorumara forests, reached by vehicle from Murti or Lataguri. It overlooks grassland and a water hole. It is sold as one of the Gorumara watchtower slots through the forest department, and is often quieter than Jatraprasad.
Which animals can I see at Chandrachur
Gaur are the most regular, often in herds in the late afternoon. Elephants, sambar, barking deer, wild boar and peafowl are also seen, and rhinos occasionally. Birds include hornbills, parakeets and kingfishers. Sightings are never guaranteed, so a quiet, patient wait gives the best chance.
Is one watchtower enough in Gorumara
One is the minimum. Two slots, such as a morning jeep to Jatraprasad and an afternoon at Chandrachur or Medla, give a much better picture of the park and better odds for rhinos and elephants. Each slot costs a few hundred rupees per person plus the vehicle.
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