Khuttimari is a forest near Gayerkata in the Dooars area of West Bengal. The forests of Khuttimari are not as popular or touristy as the famous trio of Dooars - Gorumara, Jaldapara, and Buxa. As a result, fewer tourists crowd the area. The sightseeing and forest safari options are also limited here. But if you are looking for a peaceful sojourn, Khuttimari may well fit the bill.
Getting There
From New Jalpaiguri, the main rail station for Dooars, you can visit Dooars either by the Sevok – Malbazar – Nagrakata bound North Dooars road or you may travel via Jalpaiguri – Maynaguri bound South Dooars road. The two roads meet at Telipara crossing barely 2 km from Gairkata. So you may reach here by either the Northbound or the Southbound road. The Northbound road is more picturesque but the travel distance is just over 100 km, whereas, through the Southbound road, the travel distance is about 95 km. From Gairkata crossing a road enters the forests of Khuttimari just a km away from the town.
Things to See and Do
The Moraghat range of Khuttimari forests is famous for its population of pachyderms. This was part of the traditional Assam – Nepal route of elephant migration. Although forest safaris are not available in the forest, you may still be lucky to get a glimpse of the elephant here.
Khuklung and Mela are two villages on the forest fringe. The village's population consisted mostly of Rava tribals. There are watchtowers in the village and tribal dance and cultural programs are also organized here for tourists.
Gosaihat eco-park is located northeast of Khuklung village. The eco-park gets a lot of migratory bird visitors during the winter months. Although cottages were built earlier inside the eco-park, the tourist accommodation is now non-functional.
From Khuttimari a Northbound road through forests and villages will take you to Banarhat town via Nathua, Duramari, Dawkimari, Kalabari, and Mongalkata villages. Another road going east of Khuttimari forests will take you to the Panbari area where the three major rivers of Dooars, Diana, Murti, and Jaldhaka meet, just across the river is Ramsai and Gorumara National Park area.
Around Khuttimari and Gairkata are many typical Dooars tea gardens and villages where a city dweller may find eternal bliss. Haldibari, Telipara, Totapara, Gandrapara, Binnaguri, Redbank, New Dooars, and Banarhat are some of the villages and Tea gardens nearby that ooze typical Dooars flavour.
