Wildlife and birds · Gorumara National Park
Medla watchtower by bullock cart
Medla is the watchtower families remember, because the last stretch is on a creaking bullock cart driven by people from the forest villages. The tower faces the Murti's grassland, where rhinos, gaur and elephants come out to graze.
The Medla route starts from a camp on the forest edge, reached by jeep from Lataguri or the Ramsai side. There you leave the jeep and climb into a bullock cart for the final ride to the tower. The carts are run by local villagers as part of the forest department's community programme, and the fee goes partly to them.
The tower looks over a wide stretch of grassland and the Murti river. Rhinos graze here in the open more often than at the salt licks, and in winter you may see gaur in long lines, wild boar and many birds of the grassland, including lapwings and storks. The scene is wider than at Jatraprasad, so binoculars help.
The ride is slow and bumpy; small children usually love it and older travellers should hold on. Ask the counter whether the bullock carts are running on your date, as they can be suspended after rain or for repairs. Check current status before you travel.
Cost: Safari jeep share + about ₹40–100 pp cart (indicative)
Questions people ask
Good to know
Is the Medla bullock-cart ride suitable for small children?
Yes, it is one of the most child-friendly outings in the Dooars. The carts move at walking pace, though the track is bumpy. Hold small children on your lap, keep hands inside and follow the guide's instructions. Carry water and a snack; the full slot takes about two hours.
What can we see from Medla watchtower?
Open grassland along the Murti, where rhinos, gaur and wild boar graze, with elephants passing at times and plenty of grassland birds. Because the view is wide, animals can be far off; bring binoculars or a zoom lens. Early and late slots are best.
Do I book the bullock cart separately?
The cart fee is usually added to the Medla route when you book, or paid at the camp. Rates have been small, roughly ₹40–100 per person. Confirm when you book the slot, because routes and fees are revised by the forest department.
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