Latpanchar
Latpanchar is located at an altitude of 5000 ft above sea level on the hilly region of the Mahananda Wild Life Sanctuary.This beautiful hamlet is just a couple of hours drive from the NJP railhead or the Bagdogra airport. The national highway connecting Sikkim to the rest of the country runs through the hills on the side of river Tista. At Kalijhora, about 28 km from Siliguri, you will have to take the left turn and drive uphill for about 15 km to reach Latpanchar.The village is known for its proximity to the core area of the Mahananda WLS. It is also famous for the medicinal plants it produces, there is large plantation of cinchona around here. Snow capped peaks of Kanchenjunga range can also be seen from here..
Latpanchar is the home to the most elegant, colorful, endangered species - Rufous Necked Hornbill which migrated to Latpanchar from Nepal hills due to its climatic condition. During the 4 months of breeding season of Rufous Necked Hornbill where the female hornbill is at breeding of its baby in its nest in the trunk of a tree which is sealed and only a small hole is left for delivering food. In every 2 hours the male Hornbill collects fruits from the nearby area and feeds the female Hornbill through the hole of the sealed nest. The female hornbill breaks the sealed nest when the small baby grows up big enough not to get accommodated within the nest. This whole breeding process is an interesting and exclusive experience for the birdwatchers..
