The Nameri Tiger Reserve (NTR) is located near the foothills of Arunachal Pradesh in the northern Sonitpur district of Assam. The 200 square kilometers area is abundant in biological diversity and well-known for the white-winged wood duck. The Nameri National Park located near the center of NTR, which is bordered by the Jia-Bhoreli and Bor-Dikorai rivers in the west and east, respectively. The Arunachal Pradesh Pakke Tiger Reserve lies in the North, and the habitat is continuous. On the landscape of the River Brahmaputra’s north bank, the reserve is one of the most significant conservation zones.
| 1 | Name of the National Park | Nameri Tiger Reserve |
| 2 | Year established | 1998 |
| 3 | Area in Sq Km | 200 sq km |
| 4 | Elevation in m | 80m to 2000m |
| 5 | State / States spread in | Assam |
| 6 | Main Animals found | Bengal tiger, Indian elephant, clouded leopard, leopard cat, sambar deer |
| 7 | Main Birds found | White-winged wood duck, great hornbill, wreathed hornbill, pied falconet |
| 8 | Main reptiles found | Indian rock python, king cobra, green pit viper |
| 9 | Best time to visit | November to March |
The reserve was established in 1998 and is named after the Nameri river that flows through it. The area that now makes up Nameri Tiger Reserve was traditionally inhabited by the Nyishi and Adi tribes, who practiced shifting agriculture and hunting. In the early 20th century, the area was used for timber extraction, which led to the degradation of the forests. In the 1970s, the government of Assam recognized the importance of the area’s biodiversity and established the Nameri Sanctuary, covering an area of 137 square kilometers. In 1998, the sanctuary was declared a tiger reserve, and its boundaries were expanded to include additional forest areas.
Geography
Nameri Tiger Reserve is located in the eastern Himalayas and is characterized by its hilly terrain, with altitudes ranging from 80 to 2,480 meters above sea level. The geology of the region is complex and has been shaped by tectonic activity and erosion over millions of years. The rocks that make up the area include sandstones, shales, and conglomerates, which are believed to have been deposited in a shallow sea during the Mesozoic era, around 245 to 65 million years ago. The region has also been affected by several tectonic events, including the Himalayan orogeny, which began around 50 million years ago and is still ongoing today.
Forests in Nameri Tiger Reserve
Nameri’s natural environment consists of tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous woods with cane brakes, and short stretches of open grassland near rivers. Less than 10% of the park’s total area is made up by grasslands, whereas moist deciduous and semi-evergreen species predominate.
AssamValley Tropical Evergreen Forests, Sub Himalayan Light Alluvial Semi-Ever-green Forests, Eastern Alluvial Secondary Semi-Evergreen Forests, CaneBrakes, Low Alluvial Savanna Woodland, Eastern Hollock Forests, Eastern Seasonal Swamp Forests, Eastern Dillenia Swamp Forests, and Eastern Wet Alluvial Grassland are among the forest types found within the reserve.
Some of the dominant tree species found in the park include:
- Sal (Shorea robusta): Sal is a large deciduous tree that is commonly found in the forests of India and Southeast Asia. It is one of the most important timber trees in the region and is also an important source of food and fodder for local communities.
- Sisu (Dalbergia sissoo): Sisu, also known as Indian rosewood, is a large deciduous tree that is commonly found in the riparian forests of India and Nepal. It is a valuable timber species and is also used for medicinal purposes.
- Teak (Tectona grandis): Teak is a large deciduous tree that is commonly found in the tropical forests of India and Southeast Asia. It is one of the most valuable timber trees in the region and is also prized for its oil and medicinal properties.
- Betula utilis (Himalayan birch): Himalayan birch is a deciduous tree that is commonly found in the Himalayan region. It has a white bark that peels off in sheets and is valued for its ornamental qualities.
- Rhododendron: Rhododendrons are a group of evergreen and deciduous shrubs and trees that are common in the forests of the Himalayas. They are known for their beautiful flowers and are often grown as ornamental plants.
Animals of Nameri Tiger Reserve
Nameri Tiger Reserve’s tropical woods and riverine meadows have provided home to a variety of wildlife. There is a great range of fauna. The main predator of Nameri, the Royal Bengal tiger, shares its habitat with the leopard, clouded leopard, and wild dog, while the mega herbivore Asian Elephant occurs in relatively small numbers.
There are a lot of them in the tiger reserve. Gaur, sambar, hog deer, and barking deer are among the other herbivores found in the park.
The tiger reserve’s mammalian checklist includes 29 species, including sloth bear, wild boar, large Indian Civet Cat, Small Indian Civet Cat, Himalayan Crestless Porcupine, Yellow throated marten, Leopard cat, common otter, Black giant squirrel, Indian mongoose, Large clawed shrew, Indian flying fox, slow loris, Assamese macaque, Rhesus macaque, and others.
Birds of Nameri Tiger Reserve
Additionally, Nameri boasts a diverse avian diversity with 374 species now known to exist. Eight of these species—the White-winged Wood Duck, the Rufous-necked Hornbill, the Pallash Fish Eagle, the White-rumped Vulture, the Slender-billed Vulture, the Greater Spotted Eagle, the Lesser Adjutant Stork, and the Jerdon’s Babbler—are classified as globally threatened, and five more fall into the Near Threatened category. (Whitecheeked Patridge, Black-bellied Tern, White-tailed Eagle, Lesser Fish Eagle and Red-headed Vulture ).
Reptiles of Nameri Tiger Reserve
Nameri Tiger Reserve is home to a diverse range of reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and turtles. Some of the reptiles that can be found in the park are:
- Indian python (Python molurus): Indian python is a large, non-venomous snake that is found in the forests of India and Southeast Asia. It is an important predator in the park and feeds on a variety of mammals, birds, and reptiles.
- King cobra (Ophiophagus hannah): King cobra is the world’s longest venomous snake and is found in the forests of India and Southeast Asia. It is an apex predator in the park and feeds on other snakes, lizards, and small mammals.
- Bengal monitor (Varanus bengalensis): Bengal monitor is a large, carnivorous lizard that is found in the forests of India and Southeast Asia. It feeds on a variety of prey, including insects, small mammals, and birds.
- Indian flapshell turtle (Lissemys punctata): Indian flapshell turtle is a freshwater turtle that is commonly found in the rivers and wetlands of India and Southeast Asia. It is an important prey species for a variety of predators in the park.
- Common krait (Bungarus caeruleus): Common krait is a venomous snake that is found in the forests of India and Southeast Asia. It is active at night and feeds on a variety of prey, including small mammals and reptiles.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Nameri Tiger Reserve is from November to April, which is the winter and early summer season in the region. During this time, the weather is pleasant and the temperature ranges from 10°C to 25°C. The skies are clear and there is relatively low humidity, making it an ideal time for wildlife viewing and outdoor activities. The park is closed during the monsoon season, which lasts from May to October, due to heavy rainfall and the risk of landslides and flooding. The park also experiences high temperatures and humidity during the summer season, which lasts from April to June, making it less ideal for outdoor activities.
It’s important to note that the park remains closed on Mondays, and visitors are advised to book their accommodations and safaris in advance to avoid any last-minute inconveniences. Additionally, the park authorities regulate the number of visitors allowed into the park each day to ensure that the wildlife and their habitat are not disturbed.
Nameri Tiger Reserve is an important protected area that serves as a critical habitat for a wide variety of plant and animal species. The park’s forests provide essential ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, water regulation, and soil conservation. The park is also home to a number of threatened and endangered species, such as the Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, and black-necked crane, making it an important site for conservation efforts. Additionally, the park plays an important role in promoting sustainable tourism in the region, providing economic opportunities for local communities and raising awareness about the importance of conservation. The park’s location along the border of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh also makes it an important site for biodiversity conservation in the region, as it serves as a vital corridor for wildlife movement between the two states. Overall, the conservation and management of Nameri Tiger Reserve is crucial for protecting the biodiversity and ecological integrity of the region, while also promoting sustainable development and economic growth for local communities.
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