Discover the awe-inspiring Namdapha Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh, India – a biodiverse paradise for wildlife enthusiasts. Nestled amidst dense forests, towering mountains, and pristine rivers, this reserve is a treasure trove of diverse flora and fauna. Spot the elusive Bengal tiger, snow leopard, clouded leopard, and takin, roaming freely in their natural habitat. Explore lush subtropical forests and captivating alpine meadows, where a vibrant tapestry of life unfolds. Embrace the unyielding beauty of Namdapha, a sanctuary of cultural significance, offering an unforgettable wildlife odyssey in the heart of the mighty Himalayas.
| 1 | Name of the National Park | Namdapha Tiger Reserve |
| 2 | Year established | 1983 |
| 3 | Area in Sq Km | 1985 |
| 4 | Elevation in m | 200m to 4500m |
| 5 | State / States spread in | Arunachal Pradesh, India |
| 6 | Main Animals found | Bengal tiger, clouded leopard, snow leopard, Asiatic black bear, red panda |
| 7 | Main Birds found | White-bellied heron, wreathed hornbill, great Indian hornbill |
| 8 | Main reptiles found | King cobra, Indian python, Chinese cobra |
| 9 | Best time to visit | November to April |
Geography
The area is defined by the latitudes 27°23’N to 27°39’N and the longitudes 96°15’E to 96°58’E. Namdapha National Park & Tiger Reserve is located in Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang district. The Namdapha Tiger Reserve region was once a reserve forest. On October 2, 1972, it was designated as a Wildlife Sanctuary under the Assam Forest Regulation 1891. It was later designated as a National Park on May 12, 1983, under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972. On March 15, 1983, it was designated as a tiger reserve under the Government of India’s Project Tiger Scheme.
The Namdapha Protected Area, located at 27°N of the equator, is geographically subtropical and has a subtropical climate. The climate of the area, however, varies from place to place inside the Protected Area due to height variations ranging from 200 m to 4571 m with the area also being a zone of significant rainfall. The hilly areas of the area have a mountain climate, whilst the low-lying plains and valleys have a tropical climate.
The park is situated in the Mishmi Hills range, which is part of the Eastern Himalayas. The hills are composed of rocks from the Precambrian to the Tertiary periods. The Precambrian rocks are mostly granite and gneiss, while the Tertiary rocks are composed of sandstone, siltstone, and shale. The park is also home to the Namdapha Thrust, which is a major geological feature in the region. The Namdapha Thrust is a fault zone where the Indian Plate is being pushed over the Eurasian Plate. The thrust has resulted in the formation of the Mishmi Hills range and has played a critical role in shaping the region’s geology and topography.
The lovely forests are rich in Flora and Fauna biodiversity. Because of its unusual geographical location, varied topography, and significant yearly precipitation that falls throughout the year, this virgin forest is highly rich in floral diversity, with no single species being considered the main species of the area. Although the location is approximately 270N of the geographical equator, the climate conditions of excellent rainfall along with temperature gradients and high humidity result in vegetation characteristic of tropical evergreen forests (Tropical Rain Forests). The species composition of Namdapha protected areas’ flora is unusually rich, thick, and diverse.
A detailed examination of its species and genetic variation has yet to be completed. Namdapha is a botanist’s dream, and a detailed assessment of its floral resources could take up to 50 years. There are almost 150 different types of wood. The Pinus merkusi and Abies delavavi are unique to India. The Blue Vanda is one of the rarest and most endangered orchids found here. Mishimi Teeta (Copti teeta), the most famous indigenous medicinal plant utilized by the local tribe for all kinds of maladies, is available here, but its export is prohibited.
Forests in Namdapha Tiger Reserve
It is home to a number of endemic species that have evolved locally or have persisted alone due to natural barriers that protect them from invasion. The flora of Namdapha Protected Area has stronger phytogeographical similarities with Indo-Malayan flora, while it also contains plants from other parts of India, neighboring and distant nations, in addition to its own flora. According to a survey conducted in areas of this Protected Area, there are 73 species of lichens, 59 species of Bryophytes, 112 species of Heridophytes, 5 species of Gymnosperons, and around 801 species of Angiosperms. These do not include the floral features of temperate and alpine regions, which have been underexplored due to inaccessibility and a lack of infrastructure.
Animals of Namdapha Tiger Reserve
It is home to a wide range of animals, including several rare and endangered species. There are 1285 species of animals that live in soil, ground, litter, beneath stone, decaying trees, and meadows, as shown below. Earthworms:10 species, Leeches:5 species, Insects:430 species, Butterflies & Moths:140 species, Fishes:76 species, Amphibians:25 species, Reptiles:50 species, Birds:453 species, Mammals:137 species.
Some of the animals that can be seen in the park include:
- Bengal Tiger – The park is home to a small population of Bengal tigers.
- Clouded Leopard – The clouded leopard, a critically endangered species, is found in the park’s evergreen forests.
- Snow Leopard – The park’s high-altitude regions are home to a small population of snow leopards.
- Indian Elephant – The park is home to a small population of Indian elephants.
- Hoolock Gibbon – The Hoolock gibbon, an endangered species of primate, is found in the park’s evergreen forests.
- Asiatic Black Bear – The park is home to the Asiatic black bear, a vulnerable species.
- Red Panda – The park is home to the red panda, a vulnerable species.
- Leopard Cat – The leopard cat, a small wild cat, is found in the park’s forests.
- Sambar Deer – The park is home to the sambar deer, a large species of deer.
- Barking Deer – The barking deer, also known as the muntjac, is found in the park’s forests.
Birds of Namdapha Tiger Reserve
The park’s diverse habitats, ranging from evergreen forests to alpine meadows, provide a range of ecological niches that support a wide variety of bird species. Some of the bird species that can be seen in the park include:
- White-winged Wood Duck – The park is home to the white-winged wood duck, a critically endangered species.
- Blyth’s Kingfisher – The Blyth’s kingfisher is a rare and elusive bird that can be found in the park’s rivers and streams.
- Ward’s Trogon – The Ward’s trogon, a colorful bird, is found in the park’s evergreen forests.
- Beautiful Nuthatch – The beautiful nuthatch, a small bird with striking colors, can be found in the park’s forests.
- Himalayan Monal – The Himalayan monal, a large and colorful pheasant, is found in the park’s alpine meadows.
- Great Hornbill – The park is home to the great hornbill, a large and distinctive bird with a curved beak.
- White-bellied Heron – The white-bellied heron, one of the world’s rarest heron species, can be found in the park’s rivers and streams.
- Long-tailed Sibia – The long-tailed sibia, a small and colorful bird, can be found in the park’s forests.
- Rufous-necked Hornbill – The rufous-necked hornbill, a large bird with a distinctive call, can be found in the park’s evergreen forests.
- Blue-naped Pitta – The blue-naped pitta, a colorful bird with a distinctive call, can be found in the park’s forests.
Reptiles of Namdapha Tiger Reserve
The park is home to a variety of reptiles, including:
- King cobra (Ophiophagus hannah)
- Indian python (Python molurus)
- Banded krait (Bungarus fasciatus)
- Asian water dragon (Physignathus cocincinus)
- Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis)
- Indian flapshell turtle (Lissemys punctata)
- Indian tent turtle (Pangshura tentoria)
- Many-lined sun skink (Eutropis multifasciata)
- Khasi Hills keelback (Amphiesma khasiense)
- Common bronzeback snake (Dendrelaphis tristis)
Best time to visit
The National Park is located 8 kilometers from Miao township, the headquarters of Namdapha Project Tiger. Tinsukia Railway Station is 115 kilometers away from the headquarters, while Mohanbari (Dibrugarh) Airport is 148 kilometers away. There are buses from Tinsukia and private taxis from Dibrugarh and Tinsukia. Furthermore, private taxis can be rented from Miao town to enter Deban, which is 25 kilometers from Miao Township. The greatest time to visit the park is from October to April, till the start of the monsoon.
Some Nearby location to visit:
- HALDIBARI: This gorgeous camping location is 5 kilometers from Deban and may be reached by trekking across the Noa dehing. An overnight stay here is a fun jungle camping experience.
- HORNBILL: Located only 11 kilometers from Deban, this is a haven for hornbills. Here, groups of these birds can be seen soaring from one grove to the next.
- BULBULIA: This charming camping spot overlooks a vast aquifer and gets its name from multiple natural springs. You have to be incredibly lucky to be able to stay here overnight and have close experiences with wild creatures at the water hole in the dark.
In conclusion, Namdapha National Park is a unique and vital natural heritage site, known for its remarkable biodiversity, ecological significance, and cultural and historical value. The park is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, including many rare and endangered ones, making it one of the most important conservation areas in India.
The park’s diverse ecosystems, including its evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, provide essential ecosystem services, such as soil conservation, carbon sequestration, and water regulation, that support the livelihoods of local communities and contribute to the region’s ecological sustainability.
Moreover, Namdapha National Park is an excellent place for research and study, offering a unique opportunity to understand the complex ecological processes that drive the natural world. The park’s cultural and historical significance, as well as its natural beauty, also make it a significant tourist attraction, drawing visitors from across the globe.
Therefore, Namdapha National Park’s conservation and protection are of utmost importance to maintain the ecological balance of the region and preserve its natural and cultural heritage for future generations. The park serves as a reminder of the importance of biodiversity conservation and the need to protect and preserve our natural resources to ensure a sustainable future.
To help biodiversity by planting trees, click here
To see the IUCN red list, click here
