Wildlife protected areas of Mizoram
At present State Government have notified seven Protected Areas Viz. Dampa Tiger Reserve, Phawngpui National Park, Murlen National Park, Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary, Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary, Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary and Tawi Wildlife Sanctuary.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE WILDLIFE AREAS DAMPA TIGER RESERVE: The Dampa Tiger Reserve is situated in the Western part of Mizoram State on the International border with Bangladesh about 127 km. from Aizawl, the State Capital of Mizoram at 92°13’12″ – 92°27’27″ East and 23°32’42″ – 23°41’36″ North and altitude 200 m – 1200 m above MSL. The Tiger Reserve consists of Moist deciduous Forests at the lower reaches and Evergreen & Semi-evergreen Forests with the Natural grassland at higher altitudes. Dampa is the largest Sanctuary of the State notified in 1985 and was declared Tiger Reserve in 1994. It covers an area of approximately 500 sq. km. The virgin Forests of Dampa tlang and Chhawrpial tlang are the unique Natural features of the Sanctuary.
The important wild animals found in the Tiger Reserve are Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Gaur (Indian Bison), Wild dog, Sambar, Barking Deer, Sloth Bear, hoolock gibbon, Leaf monkey, Common langur, Rhesus macaque, Giant squirrel, Porcupine, Slow loris, Jungle cat, Wild boar etc. and varieties of Birds.
There are 10 Villages around the Tiger Reserve, with a population of roughly 10,000 tribals mostly Mizo, Chakma and Riang tribes and practicing jhum system for their livelihood. The Tiger
Reserve is managed by Field Director (ACF rank) at headquarter W. Phaileng, two Range Officers at Teirei and Phuldungsei and ten Wildlife Beats.
MURLEN NATIONAL PARK : The Murlen National Park is situated about 245 km. East of Aizawl, the State Capital of Mizoram at 23°32′ – 23°42′ North and 92°13′ – 92°27′ East. This Park lies close to the Indo-Myanmar border. It is significant because of its proximity to the Chin Hills. It covers an area of approximately 200 sq. km. and ranges in altitude from 400 m. to about 1900 m. above MSL. Large tracts of relatively undisturbed Sub-Tropical evergreen I Sub-Montane Forests are found in this Park.
The important Wild animals and Birds found in the Park are- Tiger, Leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, Hoolock gibbon, Sambar, Barking Deer, Ghoral, Serrow, Rhesus macaque, Wild boar, Hume’s Bartailed Pheasant, Kaleej Pheasant, and many others varieties of birds and Orchids.
There are 5 Villages around the Park with a population roughly 4000 and one Village namely
Murlen with 70 families situated inside the Park in the core area. Shifting of Murlen Village outside the Park is under active process by the State Govt. Range Officer with headquarters at N. Khawbung and four Beat Officers under controlling of DFO Wildlife Division, Aizawl, manage the Park.
PHAWNGPUI NATIONAL PARK: The Phawngpui National Park is situated in South- Eastern Mizoram at 22°39′ North and 93°02′ East adjacent to Myanmar, with an area of 50 sq. km. The highest Peak Mizoram, the Phawngpui (2360 m.) is located within this Park. The general Forest type in the Park is Montane Sub- Tropical Forest. Though not in a substantial, some Oak dominated primary Forest Patches are still available in certain parts of the Park and are separated by secondary growth in various stages.
The important Wild animals and Birds found in this Park are Ghoral, Serrow, Barking Deer, Sambar, Leopard, Blyth’s Tragopan, Kaleej Pheasant, Hoolock gibbon, Common langur, Rhesus macaque, Stump tailed macaque and Varieties of Birds and Orchids.
The Park is surrounded by five Villages with a population roughly 3500, practicing Jhurn system which threats fire hazards in this Park during fire season. the Park is managed by Range Officer with headquarters at Sangau and five Beat Officers under controlling of DFO Chhimtuipui Forest Division, Lawngtlai.
NGENGPUI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY: The Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary
is situated in South – Western Mizoram at 92°45′ to 92°50′ East and 22°21′ to 22°30′ North. It is close to Indo-Myanmar and Indo-Bangladesh border. The total area of the Sanctuary is 110 sq. km. and ranges in altitude from 200 m. to about 1200 m. above MSL. Virgin Sub -Tropical / Evergreen / Semi evergreen Forests are found in the Sanctuary. The Wild animals found in this Sanctuary are – Tiger, Clouded leopard, Elephant, Gaur, Barking Deer, Sambar, Wild boar, oolock gibbon, Rhesus macaque, Leaf monkey, Common langur, etc. It is also surrounded by 7 tribals Villages. The Sanctuary is managed by Range Officer with headquarters Ngengpui, and 5 Beat Officers under controlling of DFO Chhimtuipui Forest Division.
LENGTENG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY: The Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Eastern Mizoram adjacent to Murlen National Park. The area was previously issued preliminary notification by the State Government on 4.4.99. The approximate total area of the Sanctuary is 120 sq. km. and ranges in altitude from 400 m. to about 2300 m. above MSL and
is considered second highest Peak in Mizoram. In the Eastern side large tracts of virgin Sub-Tropical evergreen and Sub-Montane Forests are found in this Sanctuary. The important Wild animals and Birds found in this Sanctuary are Tiger, Leopard, Sambar, Barking Deer, Ghoral, Serrow, Hurne’s Bartailed Pheasant, Kaleej Pheasant, Hoolock gibbon, Rhesus macaque, Wild boars, etc. It is temporary managed by Range Officer headquarters Ngopa under Controlling of ACF (Chief Wildlife Warden Office), Aizawl.
KHAWNGLUNG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY: The Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary is situated approximately 170 km. from Aizawl, in the Central part of Mizoram at 92°55′ to 92°59′ East and 23°04′ to 23°10′ North. It covers an area of about 41 sq. km. and ranges in altitude from 400 m to 1300 m. Subtropical and Semi-evergreen Forest types are found in the Sanctuary and the common Wild animals found are Leopard, Barking Deer, Sambar, Hoolock Gibbon, Wild Boar etc. In 1997 one Tiger was reported from the Protected Area.
TAWI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY : The Tawi Wildlife Sanctuary was declared Wildlife Sanctuary in the year 1978 by preliminary Government Notification vide No. FOR 15 C/74-78/21 Dt. 29.11.78 and final Government Notification yet to be issued by the Government. The Sanctuary is situated about 101 km. from Aizawl, the State Capital of Mizoram, in the Central part of the State. It covers an area of about 50 sq. km and ranges in altitude from 400 m to 1300m from Mean Sea Level. The Sub-tropical and Semi-evergreen Forests are found in the upper reaches and mixed Bamboo forests in the lower reaches. The major animals found in this Sanctuary are – Tiger, Leopard, Barking deer, Sambar, Hoolock Gibbon, Rhesus Macaque, Wild Boar and varities of birds.
Written by Lalremruata
A man with hobby of reading, writting
The best of the 2008 trail camera footage to be played at the shot shows this year!