 NAMDAPHA,
a Tiger Reserve and National Park, a true wilderness and
enchanting beauty of lush green vegetation, impenetrable
pristine and virgin forests covered an area of 1985.23
square kilometres having diverse flora and fauna lies in
the international border between India and Myanmar(Burma)
within Changlang District in the state of Arunachal
Pradesh in the northeast India.
Namdapha National Park is located at a few kilometre
away from Miao amidst misty blue hills along the
turbulent Noa-Dihing river lies in the sprawling
tropical rain forest. It was declared as Tiger Reserve
by the Government in 1983.
The
beautiful forests possess great biodiversity of Flora
and Fauna. A details study of its species and genetic
variation has not yet been thoroughly done. Namdapha is
Botanist's dream and it may take as long as 50 years to
complete a conprehensive survey of its botanical
resources. There are more than 150 timber species. The
Pinus merkusi and Abies delavavi are not
found elsewhere in India. One of the rarest and
endangered orchids, the Blue Vanda found here.
The most famous local madicinal plant Mishimi Teeta (Copti
teeta), which is used by the local tribal for
all kinds of diseases is available here but its export
has been banned.
The diverse vegetations and habitats of Namdapha grooms
diverse species of animals and birds. It is only park in
the World to have the four Feline species of big cat
namely the Tiger (Panthera Tigris),
Leopard (Panthera Pardus), Snow Leopard
(Panthera Uncia) and Clouded Leopard (Neofelis
Nebulosa) and numbers of Lesser cats. A number
of primate species are seen in the park, such as
Assamese macaque, pig-tailed macaque, stump-tailed
macaque and number of the distictive Hoolock Gibbons (Hylobates
Hoolock), highly endangered and only 'ape'
species found in India dwells in this impenetrable
virgin forest. Of the many other important animals are
the elephants, black bear, Indian Bison, several species
of deers, reptiles and a variety of arboreal animals.
Among the
bird species, most notable are the White winged Wood
Ducks, a rare and endangered species, the great Indian
hornbills, jungle fowls and pheasants flop their noisy
way through the jungle, and which harbours other
colourful bird and animal species. The inaccessibility
of greater part of the park has helped to keep the
forests in their pristine and virgin state in its
natural form. Moreover, the park possesses great bio
diversity of flora and fauna. The lush green under
growths are thick and intertwined like cobwebs of canes,
bamboos, wild bananas and variety of vegetations The
grandeur of the wet tropical rain forest is breeding
ground for varieties of animals and birds which is
remarkable and worth seeing.
The list of
Faunal group inhabiting soil, ground, litter, under
stone, decaying woods and grasslands in Namdapha are
given below:
|
Faunal Group
|
Numbers of
Species
|
|
Earthworms
|
10
|
|
Leeches |
5
|
|
Insects |
430
|
|
Butterflies & Moths |
140
|
|
Fishes |
76
|
|
Amphibians |
25
|
|
Reptiles |
50
|
|
Birds |
453
|
|
Mammals |
96
|
|
Total |
1285
|
Some of
the location of interests in park that have been
identified are:
DEBAN:
A
beautiful forest camp on the bank of the river
Noa-Dihing. It is located within the boundary of
Namdapha National Park. One can enjoy the scenic beauty
of overlooking Noa-Dihing river. The Forest Inspection
Bungalow located at Deban itself surrounded by evergreen
forest over looking the river Noa-Dihing is
worth-staying. It is also ideal for trekking, hiking and
angling on the river Noa-Dihing.
FIRMBASE:
Located
on the Noa-Dehing River bank 25 Km from the Deban Forest
lodge. This is a popular camping site full of nature's
splendours. The track leading to the idyilic spot is
enveloped by luxuriant forest and it is not un common to
come across birds and wild animals on the way. For
camping at Firmbase, equipments and guide provided by
the forest department is an unique experience.
HORNBILL:
Just 9 Km
from Deban, this is as the name suggests is a homing
ground for hornbills. Here flocks of these birds can be
frequently spotted flying from one grove to another.
HALDIBARI:
This
pictureque camping spot, just 5 Km away from Deban, lies
across the Noa-Dehing river can be reached by boat. An
overnight stay here is enjoyable experience in jungle
camping.
BULBULIA:
This is
an enchanting camping site overlooking a large aquifer
and derives its name from its several natural springs.
You need to be extremely lucky for an opportunity to
stay here overnight and exprience close encounters with
wild animals frequenting the water holes in the dark.
CAMERA
POINT:
This
camping site, as the name suggests offers a vantage
point for a breath-taking view of Namdapha and its lush
green landscape.
MOTIJHEEL:
There are
a pair of large forest-encased aquifers in this spot
providing grazing pasture for a number of hervivorus.
The 5 Km track from Gibbonsland to this enchanting site
is a veritable feast for bird watchers.
GANDHIGRAM:
It is
situated in the southeast periphery of Namdapha. This is
the remotest and the last village in India wedged China
and Myanmar and is the home land of Lisu (Yobin) tribe.
The village is at a distance of about 120 Km from Deban.
A weeklong trek through lush jungles is more enjoyable
for those having a craving for adventure.
How to reach Namdapha
Tiger Reserve
To reach Namdapha,
Dibrugarh airport and Tinsukia rail station are the
nearest points. Assam State Transport Corporation and
Arunachal Pradesh State Transport buses ply daily from
Dibrugarh to Miao via Tinsukia, Margherita, Ledo, Jagun
and Kharsang. The attractive little township of Miao on
the banks of the river Dehing in the Changlang District
of Arunachal Pradesh is a threshold entry for Namdapha.
The distance between Dibrugarh and Miao is hardly 160
km.
Forest Rest
House, Deban
A further one-hour drive
through an enchanting 26 km stretch of forest road
interspread by several streams, runoffs, falls, narrow
gorges brings a new destination - Deban, a tiny hamlet
nestled between the gentle folds of the Patkai range of
hills of the great Himalays. It is advisable to have own
transport, as taxies from Miao to Deban could prove very
expensive. The best season to visit the park is from
October to April, till the onset of monsoons.
How to get there
-
Air: Nearest
Airport: at Mohanbari, Dibrugarh, Assam 182 km from
Forest Rest House, Deban, within the Namdapha National
Park area.
-
Rail:
Nearest long distance
Railway station is Tinsukia Railway Station, Assam,
141 km from Forest Rest House, Deban, within the
Namdapha National Park area.
Nearest Passenger Railway station is Margherita
Railway Station, Assam, 91 km from Forest Rest House,
Deban, within the Namdapha National Park area.
-
Road:
Good
motorable road is connected up to Miao which is entry
point of Namdapha. The Forest Rest House , Deban,
within the Namdapha National Park area is 186 km from
Dibrugarh, 141 km from Tinsukia, 91 km from Margherita
and 136 km from district headquarter Changlang.
Accomodation
Accomodation can be
arranged in the following locations if booked in advance
as there is generally rush at all times. FOREST REST
HOUSE: At Deban, within the Namdapha, a strikingly
beautiful riverside bungalow of the Forest department is
undoubtedly the best accomodations here. Booking can be
done at:
Accomodation charges at
Deban, Namdapha:
| Place
of Accomodation |
Type
of Room |
| Forest
Rest House |
Double
occupancy |
| Forest
Rest House |
Single
Occupancy |
| Tourist
Hut |
Double
Occupancy |
| Tourist
Hut |
Single
Occupancy |
|
Dormitory |
Per Bed |
At MIAO:
Circuit House, Tourist
Lodge and Inspection Bungalow Adance Booking can be
obtained from:
ENTRY FEES FOR TOURIST
IN PROJECT TIGER AREA:
| Type of Entry Fee |
Type of Charges |
| Tourist per head |
Indian |
| Tourist per head |
Foreigner |
| Children and
Students per head |
Indian/Foreigner |
| All type of Vehicles |
Free entry for one
driver
per vehicle/For heavy vehicles,
one more helper is free to enter
with driver |
| Camera Charge per
trip |
Ordinary Camera |
| Camera Charge per
trip |
Still Camera with
Tele Lens/Zoom |
| Camera Charge per
trip |
Video Movie Camera |
Area of the
park : 1985.23 square
kilometres.
Longitude
: 96°15’ E to 96°58’ E.
Latitude :
27°23’ N to 27°39’ N.
Altitude :
200 metres to 4571 metres.
Temperature (deg C)
: Varies from 37°C to 8°C.
Rainfall :
Varies from 1485 mm to 2508 mm.
Clothings
: Summer - cottons, Winter - woollen.
Languages spoken
: Tangsa, Singpho, Assamese, Hindi, English.
Best season
: October to April.
- The Field Director, Namdapha Tiger
Reserve, Miao - 792 122, Changlang district, Arunachal
Pradesh,
- Assistant Director (Tourism),
Directorate, Information and Public Relation, Govt. of
Arunachal Pradesh, Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh,
- Government of India Tourist Office,
Sector- C, Naharlagun - 791 110, Arunachal Pradesh,
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