6 Must Visit National Parks In North East India

The kingdom of wilderness of the spectacle called North East India is still in the books of least explored places in India. The narrow corridor squeezed in between the Indian Himalayan ranges in the north, Myanmar in the east and Bangladesh in the south… is bedded with a vast ecosystem that is home to several species of flora and fauna. The region is a conglomeration of eight small states, including Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura and hosts many national parks and wildlife sanctuaries apart from being dotted with several tribal settlements. With the influence of the Brahmaputra River and other small rivers (of the respective states) the ecosystem in this part of the world has acquired unique geographical features that have turned the region into a safe haven for wildlife. Thus North East India shouldn’t be ignored as a faraway region BUT should be taken as one of the best regions for wildlife tours in India. Here are some facts about some of the best national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of North East India that will help you to plan your North East Tour in the COMING WILDLIFE SEASON.

# Kanchendzonga National Park, Sikkim

The only national park in Sikkim which covers an area of 850 square kilometers, the Kanchendzonga National Park is home to many endangered animal species like the Snow Leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Dog. It is enclosed by the mighty Himalayan ranges and preserves a rich biosphere including many medicinal plants and herbs and alpine grasses. The Kanchendzonga National Park mostly comprises a mixed forest of oak, fir, birch, maple and willow AND houses several species of mammals and birds. Amongst the mammals’ sloth bear, Himalayan Tahr, civet, Tibetan Wild Ass, Himalayan blue sheep, serow, goral and takin are some of the major attractions. There are more than 500 species of birds found in the biosphere of the park at different altitude levels. Of them the blood pheasant, osprey, Himalayan griffon, tragopan pheasant, green pigeon, Tibetan snowcock, snow pigeon, impeyan pheasant, sunbird and eagle are commonly sighted.

It is one of the popular national parks in the Indian Himalayan region, constitutes many high altitude lakes and glaciers that often attract many tourists, including trekkers, from all over the world. Access to Kanchendzonga National Park is only possible by trekking and requires necessary permit from the State Home Department and State Chief Wildlife Warden. Foreign nationals require a restricted area permit from the Ministry of Affairs, Government of India, Delhi. Some of the alpine trekking routes that pass through the Park are Yuksom-Tshoka-Dzongri, Bakim-Dzongri-Thangshing-Samuteng-Goechala, and Lachen-Muguthang-Thay La-Khyoksa La-Green Lake. Amongst all the treks, the Green Lake trek is one of the strenuous treks in Sikkim Himalayan region. The best time to visit the Kanchendzonga National Park is between April and May.

# Kaziranga National Park, Assam

With a vast history and mystery behind its name, the Kaziranga National Park is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India recognized for its unique natural environment. It covers an area of 430 square kilometers comprising alluvial inundated grasslands, alluvial savanna woodlands, tropical moist mixed deciduous forests, and tropical semi-evergreen forests AND is crisscrossed by four major rivers, including the Brahmaputra.

Some of the common species of flora found in the park are elephant grass, sugarcanes, spear grass, common reed, kumbhi, Indian gooseberry, talauma hodgsonii, duabanga grandiflora, aphania rubra, and leea indica. With the influence of the River Brahmaputra, the park has formed several geographical features such as sandbars, riverine flood-formed lakes and chappories that have contributed in safeguarding the highly diverse and visible species of mammals, reptiles and birds. Kaziranga National Park houses the largest population of one-horned rhinoceros, which is the major attraction for several wildlife enthusiasts.

# Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, Assam

Situated in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam with the influence of the Brahmaputra, Lohit, and Dibru rivers, the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is one of the best national parks in North East India and is the largest salix swamp forest in North East India. Spreading across an area of 350 square kilometers and comprising moist mixed semi-evergreen forests, moist-mixed deciduous forests, canebrakes and grasslands… the park is a safe haven to animal species like water buffalo, wild horse, tiger and langur. The park was established in the year 1890 as Dibru Reserved Forest to help conserve the habitat of the rare white-winged wood duck. Later the park was expanded as a wildlife sanctuary followed by Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve and later in 1999 it was declared as a national park. The best time to visit the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is during the winter season.

# Manas National Park, Assam

Home to some of the rare and endangered wildlife like the Indian Rhinoceros, tiger, leopard, Assam Roofed Turtle, Hispid Hare, Golden Langur and Pygmy Hog, the Manas National Park, spreading across an area of 950 square kilometers and covering the districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, Udalguri, and Darrang, is another popular wildlife destination in North East India. The park with the influence of the Manas River mostly comprises a mixed forest of Sub-Himalayan light alluvial semi-evergreen, East-Himalaya mixed moist and dry deciduous, low alluvial savanna woodland, and Assam valley semi-evergreen alluvial grasslands. It shelters approximately 55 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, 50 species of reptiles and 3 species of reptiles.

Out of these wildlife… the Asian elephant, gaur, Asian water buffalo, slow loris, hoolock gibbons, otters, sloth bear, barking deer, sambar, chital and hog deer amongst the mammals are commonly sighted. Bird species like giant hornbills, jungle fowls, brahminy duck, egrets, pelican, eagles, falcons, bee-eaters, herons and ospreys are the major attractions for bird lovers. Travellers seeking for some more excitement may visit the nearby tribal villages. The Manas National Park is surrounded by many such villages and the Agrang village in the vicinity of the forest is one of the must visit places in Assam on your wildlife tour to North East India. The best time to visit this park is during the winter season.

# Nameri National Park, Assam

Comprising more than 600 species of plants, the Nameri National Park which shares its northern boundary with the Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh covers an area of about 200 square kilometers in Sonitpur district of Assam. It consists of mainly semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forest with cane and bamboo brakes and narrow strips of open grasslands along several water bodies. Established as an elephant reserve… today it is home to several other endangered species like tigers, leopards, dholes and Himalayan black bears. Other common animal species that are found in Nameri National Park are pygmy hog, gaur, wild boar, sloth bear, capped langur and Indian giant squirrel.

The park is also a haven for bird lovers. The white winged wood duck, great pied hornbill, wreathed hornbill, rufous necked hornbill, ibis bill, babblers, and plovers are the major attractions amongst the bird species. The park is also a great destination for an angling and fishing holiday in India as it is fed by many small rivers and water bodies. River rafting in Nameri River and guided hiking tours in the surrounding areas of Nameri National Park are some major adventure activities on your wildlife tour to North East India that you can look forward to. The best time to visit the Nameri National Park is during the winter season.

# Orang National Park, Assam

Covering an area of approximately 80 square kilometers in Darrang and Sonitpur districts of Assam, the Orang National Park on the north bank of the Brahmaputra River has a strong population of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros. The park contributes the biosphere with a diversified population of flora and fauna and is largely influenced by the Pachnoi, Belsiri and Dhansiri rivers. The Park is encircled by several small tribal villages and is subject to biotic pressure resulting from deforestation and poaching. The Government of India, including World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, WWF India, Government of Assam and International Rhino Foundation has taken several measures to protect the wildlife in Orang National Park.

The park has a rich vegetation of forest that is a safe haven to many mammals, reptiles and birds. The one-horned rhino and the tiger are the major attractions for wildlife enthusiasts. Other mammals include the elephant, pygmy hog, wild boar, Indian fox, civet, otter, leopard cat, fishing cat, jungle cat, rhesus macaque and Bengal porcupine. Amongst the bird species… the spot-billed pelican, great white pelican, black necked stork, ruddy shelduck, gadwall, brahminy duck, hornbills, eagle, woodpecker, weaver, and kingfisher are mostly sighted. The Orang National Park remains closed during the monsoon and the best time to visit the park is from October to April with advance authorization of the divisional forest officer.