Buxa Tiger Reserve was created in 1983 as the 15th tiger reserve in India. In 1986, Buxa Wildlife Sanctuary was constituted over 314.52km2 (121.44sqmi) of the reserve forests. In 1991, 54.47km2 (21.03sqmi) was added to Buxa Wildlife Sanctuary. In 1992, the Government of West Bengal declared its intentions to constitute a national park over 117.10km2 (45.21sqmi) of the Buxa Wildlife Sanctuary. State government finally declared national park with notification No.3403-For/11B-6/95 dt. 05.12.1997.[3]
Geography
Location
Jayanti hills
Buxa Tiger Reserve lies in Alipurduar district of West Bengal. Its northern boundary runs along the international border with Bhutan. The Sinchula hill range lies all along the northern side of Buxa Tiger Reserve, and the eastern boundary touches that of the Assam state. National Highway No.31C roughly runs along its southern boundary. It is the easternmost extension of extreme bio-diverse North-East India and represents highly endemic Indo-Malayan region. Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous to the north of Buxa Tiger Reserve, and Manas National Park is to the east, so that Buxa Tiger Reserve serves as international corridor for Asian elephant migration between India and Bhutan.[4][5]
More than 450 species of trees, 250 species of shrubs, 400 species of herbs, 9 species of cane, 10 species of bamboo, 150 species of orchids, 100 species of grass and 130 species of aquatic flora including more than 70 sedges (Cyperaceae) have been identified so far. There are more than 160 species of other monocotyledons and ferns.
The main trees are sal, champa, gamhar, simul and chikrasi.[3]
Hilly, Bhabhar and riverine tracts of core suffer from fire. Generally non timber forest produce collectors and shepherds put forests on fire.[1] Poachers from Assam frequently come to poach Indian elephants.[3]
