with well-equipped rangers and with villagers benefiting from park visitors. However, grazing from fringe villages, and man-made brush fires are major issues at the park. A recent issue at the park is the increasing number of train accidents involving elephants on railway lines near the park. Three elephants were killed in separate incidents on the same day in May 2006 in train mishaps. Indian Railways and park authorities are presently trying to address the problem. Park-specific information Activities There are numerous watchtowers at the park, facilitating wildlife observation. The watchtowers are: Jatraprasad Watch Tower: Named after a legendary elephant Rhino Observation Point: Watch tower in front of the Gorumara forest bungalow Chandrachur Watch Tower (Old Khunia Watch Tower): Near the Murti forest bungalow Chukchuki Bird-watching Point: Good for birding There are no ranger-led or otherwise four-wheel drive vehicle or elephant-back forays into the jungle. Hiking is permitted on metalled roads, but is potentially unsafe considering the population of elephants, gaur and rhinoceros present in the park. The park is closed in the Monsoon season from 16 June to 15 September. The best time to visit Gorumara is from November to March. One can also visit the adjoining forest villages to get acquainted with the lifestyle and culture of the villagers. A live show of the ethnic tribal dance can be seen every evening in Budhuram Forest Village. One can visit the Lataguri Nature Interpretation Centre for an interpretive exhibit of the local natural history. Lodging The park forest bungalow is an old wooden rustic cottage which has a watchtower overlooking the salt reservoir. Accommodations are also available in River Wood Forest Retreats, a 4 star resort overlooking the Gorumara national park and Murti River and at Gorumara Elephant Camp at Dhupjhora. One can stay in newly constructed cottages in the Kalipur village at the fringe of Gorumara built by the State Forest Department. There are many private resort at Lataguri and Ramsai. Approach Nearest airport: Bagdogra, Darjeeling district, West Bengal about 80 km away Nearest railhead: broad gauge: New Maynaguri railway station, New Mal Jn & Chalsa, Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal are approx 18 km. from the park. Important railstation: New Jalpaiguri. Nearest highway: NH 717 (Old NH-31) between Chalsa and Mainaguri passes over Lataguri, the entrance to the park. Nearest town: On the one side Lataguri is 8 km from the park's entrance & Ramsai is other part of