Namdapha National Park - नामदफा राष्ट्रीय उद्यान

Tucked away in the northernmost state of Arunachal Pradesh is the Namdapha National Park. Three major rivers drain this area and flow into the Noa Dihing, a tributary of the Brahmaputra. The Park largely inaccessible has diverse habitats and flora and fauna that are typical of this area. The majestic gaur or mithun, elephant, Himalayan black bear, taking the wild goat peculiar to the Patkoi range, musk deer, slow loris, binturong and the red panda are all found here. The predators include the tiger, leopard, the rare snow leopard and clouded leopard in the higher reaches of the hills. A number of primate species are to be seen in the Park, such as the Assamese macaque, pig-tailed macaque, stumptailed macaque and the distinctive hoolock gibbon. Hornbills, jungle fow and pheasants flap their noisy way through the jungle, which harbours other colourful bird species. The inaccessibility of the greater part of the Park has helped to keep the forests in their pristine state. This is also a Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger.

Namdapha National Park is located in the Changlang District of Arunachal Pradesh on the India Burmese border a few km from the entry point, Miau. It was designated as a National Park in 1983 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act. The same year, it was also declared as tiger reserve under Project Tiger. With a total area of 1985 sq kms, this is the largest national park in the north-east and one of the larger protected areas in the country. In fact, this was among the earliest national parks established in the seven states of north-east India.

About Namdapha National Park

Namdapha National Park has perhaps the richest diversity of flora and fauna in the Indian Subcontinent. This is because of its biogeographical location within the Indo-Chinese subregion and its great altitudinal variation, from 4,500 meters at Daphabum, highest point, to 200 meters in the lowest valleys. The park is largely mountainous and is drained by the noa-Dehing, Deban and Namdapha rivers. In the lower levels grow a tangled profusion of tropical rainforests, with huge Hollock, Hollong and Mekai trees intermixed with giant creepers, tall cane and dense bamboo stands. Higher up are the deciduous forests, with temperate and alpine forests higher still, where Oak, Magnolia, Pine, Betula and Rhododendrons grow in profusion. Namdapha is a botanical haven, with over 150 tree species and many flowers and orchids, including the Blue Vanda, one of the rarest orchids. It will be many years before Namdapha's flora is fully surveyed. Namdapha's birdlife includes the Satyr Tragopan, Kalij and Monal Pheasants, Giant Hornbill, Forest Eagle Owl and the rare White-winged Wood Duck. principal reptiles include the Indian Python, Reticulated Python and King Cobra. For mammal watchers, the park boasts no fewer than four large cats- Tiger, Leopard, Clouded Leopard and Snow Leopard. It also has a good population of the Hoolock Gibbon.

The park watered by the Noa- Dehing and the Namdapha rivers, is largely inaccessible, with diverse habitats of flora and fauna. The vegetation ranges from the wet evergreen tropical and sub-tropical forests to temperate and alpine forests. A variety of wild tree species and crop plants including banana, mango, citrus and medicinal and ornamental plants including wild orchids are found here. The inaccessibility has helped the forests to retain its pristine ness.

The fauna of the park comprises elephant, tiger, leopard, snow leopard, clouded leopard, golden cat, wild dog, endangered Hoolock gibbon, Namdapha Flying Squirrel, wild buffalo, guar, hog deer, sloth bear, bison, Himalayan Tahr, Bharal, python, King cobra, , the wild goats; takin peculiar to the Patkoi range, Serow and Goral etc. The park is rich in bird life. The important birds are Indian Horn bill, the state bird of Arunachal, white winged wood duck, cheer pheasants etc.

The park is unique in its altitude, which varies around 200 metres (nearly sea level) in the valleys to more than 4,500 metres of snow covered mountain peaks. Perhaps no other national park in the world can boast of such phenomenal altitudinal variation. The park is also ideal for trekking and hiking. From Miau the entry point, a forest road stretching over 28 km gives access to the protected area up to a place called Deban where accommodation is available. Beyond this there is no road and one has to go on foot. It is a challenging trek through dense forests and steep hill ranges with rivers flowing in between and the varying climatic conditions from tropical to cold and temperate conditions..

Note (Namdapha National Park)

An inner-line permit is required to visit Arunachal Pradesh, which can be obtained from the Home Ministry in New Delhi 8-12 weeks in advance. Apply as early as possible.

Mammals (Namdapha National Park)

Slow Loris Capped Leaf Monkey Red Fox
Red Panda Oriental mall-clawed Otter Spotted Linsang
Binturong Leopard Cat Fishing Cat
Snow Leopard Wild Boar Hog Deer
Common Goral Spotted Giant Flying Squirrel Parti-colored Flying Squirrel
Assam Macaque Golden Jackal Dhole
Yellow-throated Marten Small Indian Civet Common Palm Civet
Small Indian Mongoose Marbled Cat Leopard
Clouded Leopard Forest Musk Deer Sambar
Mainland Serow Black Giant Squirrel Hoolock Gibbon
Asiatic Black Bear Eurasian Otter Large Indian Civet
Masked Palm Civet Crab-eating Mongoose Asiatic Golden Cat
Tiger Indian Elephant Indian Muntjac
Gaur Takinm Bharal
Hodgson's short-tailed Porcupine Wolf.

How to Reach

Access

Drive to the park from Dibrugarh (140 km , 5 hours) or Gauhati (full day) airports, with flights from Calcutta and Delhi respectively. The nearest railway station is at Ledo, near Margherita (56 km).

Air

The nearest airport is Dibrugarh, Assam (140 km).

Rail

The nearest rail-head is Ledo (56 km) and the nearest station is Margherita in Assam. Local train connects Margherita to Tinisukia which is connected with major cities of India.

Road

Good motorable roads connect Miao (entry point of the park) to Dibrugarh (140 km), Tezu (182 km), Sibsagar (199 km), Guwahati (561 km) etc. Miao can be reached by Jeep/Gypsy from Margherita (Assam)

Accommodation

Accommodation is available at the Government Tourist Lodge, Miao; Rest House at Namchik and at the Forest Inspection Bungalow surrounded by evergreen forests overlooking river Noa-dihing. For reservation at the forest inspection Bungalow, Deban contact
Deputy Commissioner, Tawang, Phone: 037824 - 22221 (O) 22222 (R)
Government Tourist Lodge, Miao, Rest House at Namchik. There are a few basic rest houses in Namdapha, at Haldibari. Until the infrastructure is established, this park is suited only to the most diehard mammal watchers. Movement within the park is restricted, as there are very few trails. The vegetation is dense thus limiting movement and visibility. Safaris are by 4-wheel drive vehicles, riding elephants and on foot.

Contacts

Field Director,
Project Tiger,
P.O. Miao, Dist. Tirap,
Arunachal Pradesh.

Dy.Conservator of Forests,
Namdapha National Park,
PO, MIAO, District Tirap.

Assistant Director (Tourism),
O/o the D.I.P.R.,
Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh,
Naharlagun, Tel: (03781) 44115.

Govt. of India Tourist Office,
Sector- C, Naharlagun- 791 110.
Phone: (03781) 44328.

General Information

Place: Miau, Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh
Location : 62 km. from Margherita
Area: 180,782 hectares.
Established : 1972 as a national park, 1983 as a tiger reserve.
Best time to visit : November-May, the best period being December-March.
Nearest town: Margherita ( Assam) 63 km
How to get there : Rail-Ledo (56 km) Air-Dibrugarh (163 km)
Accommodation : Government Tourist Lodge, Miao, Rest House at Namchik.
Main attraction: Snow leopard nearly 163 Km from Dibrugarh (Assam)

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