Nameri National Park, located in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas in the Sonitpur District, is one of India’s most offbeat wildlife destinations. Located about 35 km from Tezpur, Nameri National Park shares its boundary with Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh. The national park covers an area of 212 sq km, and is one of the most impressive yet less-explored wildlife parks in India.
Nameri’s history as a wildlife park dates back to 1978, when it was first declared a reserve forest. Later, in 1985, it went on to become a wildlife sanctuary, followed by 1998, when it got the status of a national park. Finally, in the year 1999-2000, Nameri was declared as a Tiger Reserve. Today, Nameri is one of the four Tiger Reserves in Assam.
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Nameri National Park’s flora and fauna
Nameri National Park is a haven for a variety of plant species. The dense forest is unlike any other. Here, the forest is interspersed with grasslands, and houses a number of tree species including teak and wild banana.
Photo courtesy: CanvaAs you explore the area, you will find that Nameri’s landscape is characterised by the meandering Jia-Bhoroli River, the lifeline of Nameri. One can safely say that this river plays a major role in the park’s rich ecosystem.
Speaking of the ecosystem, the park’s primary attraction is its diverse wildlife. Nameri National Park is home to species like the Bengal tiger, Indian elephant, clouded leopard, and various species of deer.
Not to forget, the forest also supports over 300 species of birds. The area is great for birdwatching throughout the year. When it comes to birds, there is a star resident here at Nameri. Avid birders from all over the country come to see this bird but whether everyone succeeds in spotting this one, that’s a topic for another day. We are talking about the very shy and extremely rare, critically endangered white-winged wood duck. You’ll have to be incredibly lucky to spot this one. For many birders, this bird is the one that got away.
Photo by: Pallav Pranjal, Creative Commons Attribution Licence
Nameri National Park, like almost all national parks, not only in India, but across the world, faces challenges, despite its protected status. Habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching are some of the main issues that the national park is facing right now.
What do you think is the solution here?
Nameri National Park, without a doubt, stands as a great example of nature’s resilience and beauty. Its conservation means protecting several species of plants, animals and birds.
Source : Times of India
