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Current Affairs 2023

Namdapha National Park - UPSC Current Affairs

Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve is a natural wonder spanning India and Myanmar, with diverse flora and fauna, including rare orchids and medicinal plants. It is the only park in the world with four big cat species, as well as a variety of primate, bird, and arboreal species. Its inaccessibility has helped keep the park in a pristine state, and there are many beautiful camping sites worth exploring.

Mar 18, 2023

3 min read

Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve is a natural wonder that lies between India and Myanmar. The park is spread over an area of 1985.23 square kilometres and has diverse flora and fauna. The botanical resources here are yet to be comprehensively surveyed, but more than 150 timber species have been discovered. Some of the rarest and endangered orchids are also found here, including the Blue Vanda. Mishimi Teeta, a local medicinal plant used by tribal communities for all kinds of ailments, is also available in this park.

 

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Namdapha National Park is famous for its diverse wildlife. It is the only park in the world that has four species of big cats, including the Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard, and Clouded Leopard. The park is also home to various primate species, such as the Hoolock Gibbons, which is the only "ape" species found in India. The park also has elephants, black bears, Indian Bison, several species of deer, reptiles, and a variety of arboreal animals.

 

The bird species here are also quite diverse. The White-winged Wood Duck is a rare and endangered species found here, along with the great Indian hornbills, jungle fowls, and pheasants. The park has more than 450 species of birds.

 

The inaccessibility of the park has helped to keep the forests in their pristine and virgin state. The lush green undergrowths are thick and intertwined like cobwebs of canes, bamboos, wild bananas, and other vegetation. The wet tropical rainforest is a breeding ground for varieties of animals and birds. The Faunal group inhabiting soil, ground, litter, under stone, decaying woods, and grasslands in Namdapha has around 1285 species.

 

There are various camping sites located in the park that are worth exploring. Deban is a beautiful forest camp on the bank of the river Noa-Dihing, located within the boundary of Namdapha National Park. One can enjoy the scenic beauty of overlooking Noa-Dihing river here. Firmbase, located on the Noa-Dehing River bank 25 km from the Deban Forest lodge, is a popular camping site full of nature’s splendours. Hornbill, just 9 km from Deban, is a homing ground for hornbills. Haldibari, located 5 km away from Deban, is a picturesque camping spot that lies across the Noa-Dehing river and can be reached by boat. Bulbulia is another enchanting camping site overlooking a large aquifer and derives its name from its several natural springs. Camera Point offers a vantage point for a breathtaking view of Namdapha and its lush green landscape. Moti Jheel is another beautiful spot that provides grazing pasture for various animals.

 

In conclusion, Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve is a place of great biodiversity that needs to be protected. Its pristine forests, diverse flora and fauna, and beautiful camping sites make it a must-visit destination for nature lovers. The park is still not fully explored, and it may take years to complete a comprehensive survey of its botanical resources.

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