Dooars Wildlife Watch: Buxa Safari Resumption and Peak Season Outlook

As of Wednesday, 11 November 2026, tourism stakeholders in the Alipurduar district have received positive news regarding the Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR). According to ETV Bharat, a joint action committee representing 18 local villages temporarily called off their month-long protest on 2 November, allowing safari operations from Rajabhatkhawa and Jayanti to resume. This development comes as a relief for the regional tourism industry during the onset of the peak winter season. While the forest department maintains the Rajabhatkhawa checkpost, officials have confirmed that tourists may continue to stay in registered homestays, and a fact-finding committee has been established to address ongoing concerns regarding forest village status. Meanwhile, the tigress 'Dooars Rani,' which had briefly wandered into Assam, was successfully returned to the Buxa Tiger Reserve on 3 November, as reported by The Hindu. Visitors planning trips to Buxa, Jaldapara, or Gorumara are reminded that all safari bookings must be conducted exclusively through the official West Bengal Forest Department portal (wbsfda.wb.gov.in). As noted by the West Bengal State Forest Development Agency, travelers should verify specific park closure days and permit requirements online before arrival, as rules can be subject to change. For those visiting Jaldapara or Gorumara, the current season offers favorable conditions for wildlife sightings, particularly in the early morning hours.