the National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Nagaland

Nagaland lies in the Northeast of our country and is one of the Seven Sister States. Given its geographical location, it is blessed with a wide array of flora and fauna. The lush vitality found in the region is of high ecological value. Hence it has been brought under the protection of several government bodies in the form of Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks of Nagaland.

National Park

They are natural, semi-natural or artificially made territory that has the purpose of protecting & propagating or developing wildlife therein or its environment. Historical scenes preserved in the National Parks of Nagaland tend to offer a clear picture of how people lived in the past. Their boundary is specifically marked and is under the maintenance of several governing bodies. No unnecessary human activities are tolerated other than those approved by the authorities or the tribal population, which is deemed part of their ecosystem. National parks in India fall under the category II of protected areas designated by the IUCN. They are vastly restricted regions that do not entertain any form of hunting, poaching or destroying the habitat.

Wildlife Sanctuary

It is an area that mainly protects flora and fauna of a particular place along with their habitat. It is generally arranged for the well being of one individual species of endangered life. Unlike Natural Parks, it has no strict boundary but is under the control of the Government. Wildlife Sanctuaries are always natural. Many researchers and wildlife activists go into these Sanctuaries and conduct their research to understand the optimal conditions for those endangered species to thrive in. The tourist explosion in these areas is rigorously controlled and supervised.  

Ntangki National Park

• Ntangki National Park, the National Park of Nagaland, has diverse wildlife enriched areas and was designated a national park in 1993 after the idea was proposed by J.H. Hutton, the then Dy. Commissioner of Naga Hills in 1920.
• This National Park of Nagaland gets its unusual name from the Zeme dialect of the Zeliangrong tribe.
• This park also goes by the name of Intanki National Park.
• In February 2005, this National Park of Nagaland was also declared an Elephant Reserve by the government.
• To enter this National Park of Nagaland, prior permission has to be taken from the Chief Wildlife Warden of the district.

Location: Ntangki National Park is located 40 km from the town of Peren and about 37 km from Dimapur.

Area covered: Approximately 202 sq km.

Fauna:

• Mithun, a semi-domesticated Gaur, which has been adopted as the official seal of the Nagaland Government, is one of the special species found in this National Park of Nagaland. 
• The Hoolock Gibbon ( Only found in Nagaland)
• This National Park is also famous for golden langur, hornbill, palm civets, black stork, tiger, white brewed kingfisher, monitor lizard, python, sloth bear, Khaleej and Black stork.

Flora:

• This National Park of Nagaland has large stretches of grasslands and equatorial forests with the scattered presence of deciduous and semi-tropical vegetation.
• Bamboo, mahogany, palms, rattan and timber are also found in the National Park of Nagaland.

Other activities enjoyed: The extremely scenic choice of mountains and cliffs provides ample opportunities for hiking, camping and trekking expeditions.

Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary

• The Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the Saramati mountain slopes.
• This sanctuary was mainly put in place for the protection of Tragopan blythii.
• Due to the number of rare species found in these areas, tourists require special permission from the State Forest Department for visiting this sanctuary.
• This  sanctuary was established in 1980.

Location: The sanctuary is located mainly in the district of Kiphire. It is situated close to the India-Myanmar border in the Pungro circle headquarters.

Area covered: 6.42 sq km.

Fauna: 

• Animals like Slender Loris, Wild Boar, Barking Deer, Sambar, Bison, Himalayan Bear, Jungle Cat, Panther, Hoolock Gibbons, Tiger etc,. could be sighted.

Flora:

• Due to heavy downpours in the region, one can find hefty growth of different species of shrubs and other plants along with a wide variety of orchids.
• Other trees like Sasi, Kachnar, Alder, Urias, Nahor, Hoolock, Gamari, Amari, Oaks, Khasi Pine, Bogipoma, and  Bonsum could also be seen in addition to a dozen species of ferns.
• On further exploration, one would also find a wide variety of medicinal herbs.
• The Tejpata and Dalchini plants can be found scattered throughout, the spices that almost all Indians use daily in their cuisine.

Puliebadze Wildlife Sanctuary

• This Sanctuary is situated in one of the important catchment areas in Nagaland.
• The Dzukou Valley and Japfu peak, along with the Puliebadze forest adjacent to them, have been designated as Important Bird Areas (IBA) due to the habitat of rare and endangered species.
• It was notified in the year 1980.

Location: Kohima District

Area covered: 9.23 sq km.

Fauna:

• Grey bellied Tragopan blythii

Dark rumped or Khali hills Swift Apus cuticula.

• Clouded leopard, Leopard, 

Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Stump Tailed macaque, Slow Loris and Hoolock Gibbon. 

• The wild Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus)  visits the Dzukou valley at 2400 m every summer, but now this activity has become rare.

Flora:

• Endemic Dzukou Lily – Lilium chitangadae

Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary

Brief note: 

• The Nagaland Government declared the Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary as an Elephant Reserve with the approval of The Government of India on the 16th of August, 2018.
• This declaration foresees a boost in elephant conservation in the country, especially around the northeastern region. 
• Nagaland already has around 446 elephants. Furthermore, the creation of a new Elephant Reserve will result in the protection and conservation of the elephants and increase their number by several folds.
• It has become the 30th Elephant’s Reserve.
• This sanctuary generally stays open till sunset every day except on Sundays.
• Notified in the year of 2009

Location: The Singphan Wildlife sanctuary is 65 km from Mon, the district capital of Nagaland. This sanctuary is located along Abhaypur Reserve Forest of Assam, allowing herds of elephants to frequent the area.

Area covered: 23.57 sq km.

Fauna

• Elephants, tigers, spotted lemurs, jungle cats, Mithun’s, Hornbills, Patridge fowls, Trophagon, Mountain goats, Barking deers, Wild boars, and bears are a few of the various species of animals and birds found there.

Flora

• These forests are extremely rich in timber. 
• They also house the rare Blue Vanda, White Orchid, Foxtail, Wild Lilies, and Maples.
• Other edible plants with medicinal value and rich in botanical importance are also found here.

Rangapahar Forest Reserve         

• This is one of the quaint and famous tourist attractions in Nagaland, and it provides the viewing of a sundry endangered species.
• It was made into a Reserve in the year of 1986.

Location: Situated in the Dimapur district of Nagaland.

Area covered: 4.70 sq km.

Fauna:

• Bear, deer, chitals, and wild goats, amongst many others.
• This area is a hotspot for birds and hence attracts a lot of bird watchers.

Flora:

• One can find a wide variety of important medicinal plants.

Conclusion

Nagaland, a charming town, is content to be as quiet as nature’s child. That is why Nagaland is one of India’s most bio-diverse regions. And to protect this gem of a place with its indigenous tribal culture and vast landscapes, it has many Wildlife Sanctuaries, National Parks and Forest Reserves.

Nagaland has a unique region, and nature fanatics are drawn to the location for a glimpse at the green paradise.