In the boarder district of Changlang in Arunachal Pradesh, amids misty mountains, along the turbulent Noa dehing river, lies a sprawling valley of dense, evergreen tropical forest. This is the famous Namdapha National Park. STATUS : To the family of Tiger Reserve under Project tiger, Namdapha is the fifteenth entrant. On 2nd Oct’1972, the Reserve forest of Namdapha was declared as Namdapha Wild life Sanctuary, Thereafter on 12th May’1983 it was declared as Namdapha National Park. Namdapha is infact the name of river which originates at Daphabum , meets at the Noa dehing river and flows right across the forest, giving its name to the park.
GEOLOGICAL FEATURES : Represents tertiary sequence dividing into Dibang, Barail, Tipong and Dihing group containing coal & oil major resources where as quaternary sequence composed of clay, loose coarse sand gravel and boulder deposits, Annual rainfall vary between 2500-3500mm and temperature variation between 5o-40oC and relative humidity between 60-70%.
LOCATION : Namdapha National Park is located in the Changlang District of Arunachal Pradesh in the North Eastern part of India between 27o15’N and 27o39’N latitude and 96o15’E and 96o58 E longitude.
AREA : The total area of Namdapha tiger Reserve is 2230.245 Km2 out of which 1985.245 is core and 245 Km2 buffer area.
VALUES AND SIGNIFICANCE : Namdapha Tiger Reserve is endowed with unique physical features of a altitudinal variation from 200 to 4571 mtr MSL. It is probably only PA in the world which harbours four big cats. Namdapha is listed among the 12th Biodiversity mega spots owing to location at confluence of Indo-Chinese realm , Indio-Malayan realm and paleoarctic realm and falling within Eastern Himalayas Biogeography Zone of India.
VEGETATION & FORESTS TYPES : It is northern most tropical forests of the world with pristine lush green vegetation, principal categories of Forests and Assam Valley Tropical wet evergreen Forest dominated by Dipterocarpus species, North India Tropical Moist Deciduous forests dominated by Terminltia and Duabanga species. Miscellaneous forests including East Himalayan Moist Temperate Forests and Moist Alpine scrub forests. Floral species recorded so far are Lichen-733 sps. Bryophytes – 56 sps, Pteridophytes -110 sps, Gymnosperm -5species and Angiosperm -935 sps.
FAUNAL DIVERSITY : Namdapha is serene and green with teeming Wildlife, where nature has retained its glory at her best. It is the only National Park where Tiger, common leopard, Snow leopard and clouded leopard are recorded to be found. It is also the habitats of the endangered mammal, species of Slow Lorries and Hoolock Gibbon the only ‘ape’ species of the India, of the other animals in Namdapha found are Elephant, Black Bear, deers, Civets, Gaur and various reptiles of Cobra, viper, Krait, Python etc. Among the various avifauna the most notable are white Winged wood Duck, Great India Hornbill, white bellied heron etc. Among new records to Namdapha are Leaf deer ( Muntiacus Putaoensis ) and Black barking deer ( Muntiacus Crinifrons ), Namdapha Flying Squirrel ( Biswamoyopteus biswassi ). Faunal species so far recorded are: Earthworm – 10 species, Leeches – 5 species, Insects – 500 species, Fishes – 75 species, Amphibians – 34 species. Reptiles – 73 species, Birds- 509 species, Mammals – 137 species, Butterflies and Moths -312 species.
APPROACH AND ACCESS : The National Park is 8 Km from Miao township which is the Head quarter of Namdapha Project Tiger. The nearest Railway station from headquarter is Tinsukia at 115 KM and the nearest Airport is Mohanbari ( Dibrugarh ) is at distance 148 Km from Miao. Buses from Tinsukia and private taxis from Dibrugarh and Tinsukia are available. Besides, private Taxis can be hired from Miao town for entering Deban which is 25 KM from Miao Township.
AT DEBAN : A strikingly beautiful river side bunglow of Forest department is the undoubtedly the best accommodation for stay. Besides seven suits transit camp and four room Tourist hut camp are also available at Deban for stay. Beyond Deban one has to carry Tent for there stay.
HALDIBARI : This picturesque camping spot 5 Km from Deban, lies across the Noa dehing and can reached by walking. An overnight stay here is an enjoyable experience in jungle camping.
HORNBILL : Just 11 Km from Deban, this as the name suggests is a having ground for hornbills. Here flocks of these birds can be frequently spotted flying from one grove to another.
BULBULIA : This is an enchanting camping site over looking a large aquifer and derieves its name from its several natural springs. You need to be extremely lucky for an opportunity to stay here overnight and experience close encounters with wild animals frequently the water hole in the dark.
FARMBASE : Located on the Noa dehing river bank 25 Km from Deban forest lodge is a popular camping site full of natures spledows. The track leading to the idyllic spot is enveloped by luxuriant forest and it is not uncommon to come across birds and wild animals on the way.
MOTIJHEEL : There are a pair of large forest encased aquifers in this spot providing grazing pastures for a number of herbivores. The 5 KM trek from Gibbonsland to this enchanting site is a veritable forest for bird watcher.
GANDHIGRAM : Situated in the south east periphery of Namdapha, this is the farthest village in India wedged between China an Myanmar and is the homeland of the Lisu tribe. The village is at a distance of about 102 KM from Deban. A week long trek through lush jungles is more enjoyable for those having a craving for adventure.
Besides at places like happy valley, 19th mile and Kathan village watch towers are established where one can visit the places and can enjoy the floral and faunal existence.
BEST TIME TO VISIT THE PARK : From October to April, till on set of the monsoon.
TARIFF : Provided separately.
PLACES OF INTEREST AT MIAO:
WILDLIFE MUSEUM : A worth looking wildlife Museum is located in the heart of the Miao township where stuffed specimen, skin, horns of wild animals are kept.
MINI ZOO : A small Mini Zoo where Hoolock Gibbon the only ape of India is exist, Beside, Himalayan black Beer, Hog deer, barking Deer, Sambar Deer, Leopard cat, slow loris, Serow, stumped tailed macaque are also kept.
TIBETAN CARPET CENTRE : The carpet manufacturing centre is located at Choephelling Tibetan settlement, Miao which is located 3 KM before reaching Miao Township. Beside, Buddhist Temple and some other Tibetan architecture are the main attraction at this site.
PLACES OF INTEREST NEAR BY NAMDAPHA PARK.
PARASURAM KUND : Located at the corner reaches of Lohit river in Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh, A Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to sage “Parasuram” over 70,000 devotees and Sadhus from Nepal and across India visit the site every year to take a holy dip on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. The distance from Miao to Parasuram Kund is 152 Km. The site of Parasuram Kund as per Mythological belief was established by the Sadhu himself since time immemorial until 1950 Assam earthquake that shook the whole of the North East India and the kund was completely covered. The nearest railway station is Tinsukia from where buses are available via Namsai. The nearest airport are Tezu and Dibrugarh.
WORLD WAR II CEMETERY AT JAIRAMPUR : The recently unearthed large burial ground with the about 1,000 graves of allied soldiers believed to be mostly of Chinese, Kachins, Indians, Britishers and American soldiers who died in second world war II is located Jairampur– Nampong road of Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh. The distance from Miao to world war II cemetery is appro 49 KM. The cemetery might have been constructed during the construction of still well road from Ledo, India to Kunming, China via Burma from Dec’1942 to May 1945. Mohanbari Airport , Dibrugarh is the nearest airport to the World War II cemetery and distance is 141 KM. Besides, Buses are available from Tinsukia, Margherita and Jagun.
PANSAU PASS : Pangsau pass or pan saung pass, 3727 ft in altitude, lies the crest of the Patkai Hills on the Indo – Myanmar boarder. The pass offers one of the easiest routes into Burma from the Assam plains. The history of the pass goes long back to the 13th century, during that period the Ahoms used the pass to arrive at present day. Assam, India. And after that the British in the late 19th century used the pass to connect with Burma and it also played vital role during the Second World war II. Lake of No return and Hukawng valley are from major attraction, Nearest airport is Mohanbari and nearest railway station is Tinsukia and Ledo in Assam.
TIPS FOR TOURISTS.
(i) Obtain inner line permit for entering Arunachal Pradesh from Resident Commissioner, Arunachal Pradesh located at Arunachal Bhawan at Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati and Mohanbari.
(ii) Obtain permit from CF & Field Director, Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Miao, District Changlang Arunachal Pradesh for entering the park.
(iii) Visitors are advised to drive slowly since animals have the right of way.
(iv) Visitors are advised to use proper leech guard for protection against leeches & other insects.
(v) Visitors should have park official while going for tracking else there are chance of loosing track.
(vi) Crossing of nallahs/river/streams if in evitable in side the park without negotiation be avoided.
(vii)Organizing picnic inside Namdapha Park is not allowed.
FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT:
The Conservator of Forests and Field Director Namdapha National Park ( Project Tiger ) Miao, District – Changlang, Arunachal Pradesh.
Email:fdnamdapha@gmail.com
Mobile No: 9612434463/9436632806
