East India includes the most diverse state in India: West Bengal, ranging from the Himalayas through the Gangetic Plain to the Bay of Bengal. The area north of the Ganges River, often known as North Bengal, boasts much of the remarkable diverse habitats and wildlife of the Eastern Himalayas biodiversity hotspot, from the Singalila National Park on the Nepal border, to the Neora Valley National Park and contiguous forests of the Dooars and Terai. For birders there is much overlap with sites of Northeast India, but with some desirable birds easier to see here. Satyr Tragopan, Blood Pheasant, Rusty-bellied Shortwing, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Broad-billed Warbler, Blue-fronted Robin, Rufous-throated Wren Babbler, Fulvous Parrotbill, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Spotted Laughingthrush, and Scarlet Finch, are some of the more sought after. Mammals are also well-represented, with this area being the best place in India to see Red Panda.
West Bengal also includes the extensive mangrove forest of the Sundarbans National Park, part of the world’s largest river delta. On India’s East Coast, Odisha also has extensive mangrove forests and covers much of the bird rich but relatively unexplored Eastern Ghats, with Chilika Lake, the largest coastal lagoon in India, the second largest brackish lagoon in the world, holding more migratory waterbirds than anywhere else in India. Buffy Fish Owl, Brown-winged Kingfisher, Mangrove Pitta, and Mangrove Whistler, are difficult birds to see anywhere in India, but all resident in this region.
East India includes the states of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkand, Odisha and the union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, although the latter is often treated as part of South India for travel convenience. The best wildlife of this region can be seen on our Red Panda Special tour.
