CHANGLANG, Arunachal Pradesh

Main Attraction: Big Cat-Tiger at Namphada National Park

NAMPHADA, a Tiger Reserve and National Park, is a true wilderness and enchanting beauty of lush green vegetation, impenetrable and pristine virgin forest covering an area of 1985.23 sq.kms located in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh along the international boundary with Myanmar. Namphada National Park is located at a few kilometers away from Miao amidst misty blue hills along the turbulent Noa-Dihing river in the sprawling tropical rain forest. It was declared as Tiger Reserve by the Government of India in 1983.

The beautiful forest possesses great biodiversity of Flora and Fauna. It is believed that a comprehensive survey of species and its genetic variation of the National Park may take as long as 50 years to know its botanical resources. There are more than 150 timber species available in the forest. The Pinus merkusi and Abies delavavi available in the forest are not found elsewhere in India. One of the rarest and endangered orchids, the Blue Vanda is found in this park. A popular local medicinal plant called Mishimi Teeta (Copti teeta) which is used by the local tribal for all kinds of diseases is available but its export has been banned.

Namphada is the only the only park in the world to have four Feline species of big cat namely tiger (Panthera Tigris), Leopard (Panthera Pardus), Snow Leopard (Panthera Uncia) and Clouded Leopard (Neofelis Nebulosa). A number of primate species such as Assamese macaque, pig-tailed macaque, stump-tailed macaque and a number of distinctive Hoolock Gibbons (Hylobates Hoolock) which is a highly endangered and only ‘ape’ species found in India dwells in this impenetrable virgin forest. Elephant, black bear, Indian Bison and several species of deer, reptiles and a variety of arboreal animals are also found in the park. Amongst the bird species, the most notable are the White winged Wood Ducks, the great Indian Hornbills, jungle fowls and pheasants which flop their noisy way through the forest. The inaccessibility of the greater portion of the park has helped to keep the forest in their pristine and virgin in its natural form. The lush green undergrowths are thick and intertwined like cobwebs of canes, bamboos, wild bananas and a variety of vegetations. The grandeur of the wet tropical rain forest is the breeding ground for varieties of animals and birds which is remarkable and worth seeing.

Brief History

The Changlang District came into existence on the 14th November, 1987 covering an area of 4,662 Sq. Km. The district is situated in a unique geographical setting bounded in the East and South by Myanmar. The main river – Noa – Dihing rises in the Patkai Hills flows westernly and then a northernly course and meets the Lohit river. Changlang Disrtict has reached the present stage in its present set – up through a gradual development of administration. Prior to 14th November, 1987, the district was a part of Tirap District.

Prior to 1914, Tirap was a part of Lakhimpur District of Assam. In 1914, North – East Frontier Tract and Lakhimpur Frontier Tract were formed from the Lakhimpur District. In 1919, the name of the central and eastern section of the North – East Frontier Tract was changed into Sadiya Frontier Tract. In 1943, the Tirap Frontier Tract was formed comprising of certain areas from Sadiya Frontier Tract and Lakhimpur Frontier Tract. In 1954, it was renamed as Tirap Frontier Division and later in 1965 changed into Tirap District. In 1972, the present Changlang District was placed under the charge of an Additional Deputy Commissioner with its headquarters at Changlang. The two sub-divisions of the then Tirap district i.e. Changlang and Miao, were combined to form the new District under the Arunachal Pradesh Reorganization of Districts Amendment Bill, 1987. The Government of Arunachal Pradesh formally declared the area as a new district on 14th November, 1987 and named as Changlang district which became the 10th district of the state. The name “CHANGLANG” is derived from the local word ‘CHANGLANGKAN’ meaning a hill – top where people discovered the poisonous herb that is used for poisoning fish in the river.

The climate of the district varies from hot in Bordumsa area to severe cold in the hills of Vijoynagar area. The district is predominantly inhabited by the Tangsas, the Singphos and the Lichus.