Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve

Travel Angel Says: Namdapha is bounded to the east by the Gandhigram settlement area and India's boundary with Myanmar, while to the west it is bounded by the Deban River, M'pen nala (Stream) and unprotected forests. The park's altitude ranges from 200 to 4500 metres (650 to 14,800 feet) above sea level and includes the highlands of the Daphabum ridge belonging to the Patkai Himalaya, with tits occasional snow and the Tushar valley just below.

Namdapha's evergreen forests with their occasional winter backdrop of snowcapped mountains are the home of tribes who are still abiding by their age-old customs.

The forest was declared a National Park in 1972 and covers an area of nearly 2000 square kilometres (770 square miles) including a buffer zone of about 177 square kilometres (68 square miles) to the north. The park stretches up to the point where Changlang meets the Lohit and Tirap districts; to the south lies the town of Miao's forest reserve
on the Indo-Myanmar (Burma) border. Namdapha was declared a tiger reserve in 1983, and is the only one in Arunachal Pradesh.

Location of Namdapa National Park : In Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. Nearest township, Miao, lies 20km (20 miles) away. Airport is Dibrugarh (140km; 90 miles) has connectins with Calcutta and Guwahati. Most convenient railhead is Margherita, 70kkkm (40 miles) from Namdapha.

Climate of Namdapa National Park : Prolonged monsoon form April till end September. Winter nights bitterly cold, mornings skunny (3°C; 35°F). Mild summers (maximum of 32°C, or 90°F).

When to go ( Namdapa National Park ) : Best time to visit is between November and March.

Getting to Namdapa National Park : Vehicles for hire at Dibrugarh airport. Miao accessible by helicopter from airport; also daily bus service to Miao. Taxis available from town of Dibrugarh. Get India Travel Plus.com assistance for all land arrangements.

Facilities at Namdapa National Park : Self-catering forest rest house at Deban center(has four rooms overlooking confluence of Debanand Boa Dihing rivers and snowcapped peaks of Daphabum). Deban has canteen facilities.

Visitor Activities in Namdapa National Park : Trekking only way to explore the forest; permission to undertake week-long treks can be obtained in the park, Advisable to carry portable tents. Visitors can rest in temporary bamboo structures made for forest guards. The farthest point, Gandhigram, 102km (60 miles) from Deban, is a paradise for bird-watchers and ornithologists. Tourist should be aware that the wet , tropical vegetation has spawned over 22 species of leech , including the Tiger Lech, they need to be adequately prepared.

Wildlife in Namdapa National Park : Namdapha National Park supports eight members of India's wild cat family. They are Tiger, Leopard(Panther), Clouded and Snow Leopard (disputed), and Marbled, Jungle Leopard, and Fishing Cat.

Permission and Reservations for Namdapa National Park : Indians require and Inner Line Permit, foreigners require a Restricted Area Permit, from Ministry of External Affairs in the state capital, Itanagar, or any major city. For reservations in Deban forest rest house, contact: The Field Director, Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Miao, Changlang District, Arunachal Pradesh. India Travel plus.com will assist you to get permit and all the arrangements.

The National Park:

The National park has amazing biodiversity

Prolific wild cats : Namdapha ntional Park supports eight members of India's wild cat family. They are Tiger, Leopard(Panther), Clouded and Snow Leopard (disputed), and Marbled, Jungle Leopard, and Fishing Cat. Pug marks on the sandy riverbeds indicate their existence in the forest.

The tail of the Clouded Leopard is almost as long as its body; from head to tail this cat measures 1.95 metres (6 feet5 inches). Its colouring varies from earthy to yellowish-brown with, on its flanks, dark blotches separated by paler areas to form a 'clouded' pattern, while the face is marked with the stripes common in smaller cats. This leopard, which hunts by nigh, is limited to the forests of the northeast Himalaya only.

The Snow Leopard, similar in length to the Cluded species, is distinctive in the shortness of its muzzle, its high forehead and vertical chin. Its soft grey coat pales to pure white on the underside, which unbroken sports occur ton the head, nape and lower limbs. It lives above the tree line around 4300 to 6000 metres (14000 to 20000 feet). very March, helping increase visibility of wildlife in the park.

Bird Life: Namdapha's birdlife spans many-hued species like Niltava, Mrs. Gould's Sunbird, Yellow backed Sunbird, Himalayan Roller, Black Bulbul, Prinia, Red-breasted hornbill. Of the laughing thrush species are the Black Gorgetted, White-crested and Striated species. The most vulnerable dusk species, the White-winged Wood Duck - which has fallen prey to poaching - is a resident bird of the marshes and ponds of Namdapha.

The floras: In the lower reaches of the reserve, the vegetation is also varied, with thick and virually impenetrable undergrowth. Extensive stretches are covered with palms, bamboo and woody brakes of cane. Namdapha's unique three storied forest is composed of tall trees like wild Mango, Banana, and Chickoo ( which bears edible, juicy fruit), Bandardiam(Monkeybread tree), Makai (Zizuphus sp. ), Jutuli, Agarwood and the flowering tree Kadamba ((Adina cordifolia). Some commonly occurring fern species include Pteris, Dryteris, Asplenia, Onychium, Aisophila, and Gleichnia. There is also a variety of colourful wild orchids such as Lady's Slipper, Dendrobium, blue and orange Vanda, and Foxtail.

Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve - Map View

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