Into The Wild: Arunachal Pradesh's Top 5 Wildlife Sanctuaries

Nestled in the northeastern corner of India, Arunachal Pradesh is a land of breathtaking natural beauty and unparalleled biodiversity. This remote and pristine state is home to lush forests, towering mountains, and a rich tapestry of wildlife. Among the many natural treasures Arunachal Pradesh boasts, its wildlife sanctuaries are havens for a diverse range of flora and fauna. Here, we take you on a virtual tour of the top 5 wildlife sanctuaries in Arunachal Pradesh.

Wildlife Sanctuaries In Arunachal Pradesh

Talle Wildlife Sanctuary 

The densely forested mountains ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 metres in altitude, between the Subansiri, Sipu, and Pange rivers, are home to the Talle Wildlife Sanctuary, spread over 337 square kilometres. The sanctuary is about 10 kilometres northeast of Hapoli, the Lower Subansiri district's headquarters. The Apatani tribe populates the region, and in Talle lives the rare and elusive clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa). Here you will also see the tiger, the Indian elephant, the barking deer, capped langur, the easter mole, the Himalayan black bear, the Indian porcupine, the Indian pangolin, the jungle cat, Malayan giant squirrel, the Orange-bellied Himalayan squirrel, the Palm civet, wild boar, and the gaur.

Eagle Nest Wildlife Sanctuary

The deep valley along the Kameng River, which is filled with avian fauna such as the hornbill, eagle, kingfisher, pheasant, duck, etc., is the Eagle Nest Wildlife Sanctuary. Spread over 217 square kilometres, its lush tropical vegetation seems like paradise on earth. From beyond Bomdila, the sanctuary's border stretches up to the Diji Nallah. The sanctuary is also home to the Bugun Liocichla (Liocichla Bugunorum), a critically endangered passerine bird species found only here. The species has been named after the local Bugun tribe. The other rare birds found here are Ward's Trogon (Harpactes wardi) and Black-tailed Crake (Porzana bicolour).

Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary

Spread over 4,149 square kilometres and altitudes varying from 1,800 mean sea level to 5,000 (mean sea level) the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary has numerous perennial rivers and streams. It also has a snow-fed Kahaiwhite lake near the international Indo-China boundary. The entire sanctuary turns colourful during the flowering season in May and June and is an impressive sight. Here you will also have the opportunity to spot animals such as the goral, takin, serow, musk deer, the rare snow leopard, and the clouded leopard.

Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary

The sanctuary derives its name from the Kamlang River, which flows through it and later joins the mighty Brahmaputra. Situated in the southeastern part of the Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh, the sanctuary has the famed Namdapha National Park on its south and several water bodies at the height of 600 msl and above, the most significant one being the Glow Lake. The fauna of the sanctuary includes all four big cats Tiger, leopard, clouded leopard, and snow leopard. The Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary is also home to the Hindu pilgrimage centre, the Parasuram Kund. It is populated by the Hishmi, Digaru, and Mizo tribes, who claim descent from King Rukmo in the epic Mahabharata.

Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary And Tiger Reserve

Hemmed in by the Pakke River and Kameng River and covering an area of 861.95 square kilometres, the Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve falls in the East Kameng district. The sanctuary is home to, of course, the magnificent tiger and also to the keepers of the forest, the elephants you may also spot barking deer and the hog deer. Another common sight in the sanctuary is the bird, the hornbill.