Must Visit National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries in Nagaland

Connect to the Natural World of Nagaland’s Wild

Remoteness is not a new thing for the people of Nagaland and travelers seldom finds that alluring and attractive. Scattered in the wild flora and fauna of these magnetic dark hills is the best place to be for wildlife and human race to experience something worth a while.

Indulge to Nagaland’s blooming picturesque landscapes and vegetation as it lies within the eighteen biodiversity hotspot in the world. Nagaland is a land that represents unimaginable beauty with more than 350 species of wild orchids and some notable rare species.

If you are lucky you can get a glimpse of this uniqueness as you ride the picturesque roads of the hills, Or get your itineraries ready and visit the below mentioned parks:

Ntangki National Park

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In a land filled with mystic and exotic landscape Ntangki National Park is located in small district Peren 35 kilometers from the busiest city of Nagaland, Dimapur. Situated near the border of Assam and Nagaland, it is one of the finest protected wildlife reserves in the state that spreads with an area of 202.02 sq km. It hosts a breathing ground for some exotic wild animals for instance animals like Hoolock Gibbon the second largest of the Gibbons, Palm Civets who likes to lead a solitary lifestyle, Sloth Bear known to be excellent climbers apart from their slow and clumsy nature, Wild Dogs who are known to move in packs are endangered species, Golden Langur one of the most endangered primate species of India, including some common animals like the Tiger, Python, Flying Squirrel, Monitor Lizard to name a few. There is a range of colorful and mesmerizing birds in the national park like the great hornbill which is regarded as an important bird by the people of Nagaland, and pheasants, a broad winged bird Black stork, White Breasted Kingfisher, Khaleej etc. Mithun and semi-domesticated Gaur adopted by Nagaland government as an official seal are also found here.

Falling in love with the Ntangki-Dhansari Valley the ‘then’ Deputy Commissioner of Nagaland J.H. Hutton created a reserved forest in 1920. The name of the park came from Zemi dialect of Zeliangrong tribe of Nagaland. Ntangki is a reserve for the betterment of the wild and conserve biodiversity, the reserve strictly outlaws activities like developmental, poaching, hunting forestry, etc the surrounding of the national park is maintained with well marked boundaries. Ntangki National Park was declared and brought into existence in the year 1993 and was also declared as an elephant reserve on 2nd February 2005.

The lush green forest and semi tropical trees of the Northeast region beautifully cover the entire park, its rich natural vegetation comprises various species of plants and trees that are hard to find anywhere else in India. Made of thick rain forest it makes an ideal place for mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects. Some important trees found surrounding the deciduous and tropical vegetation are Bamboo, Mahogany, Palms, Timber and the list goes on without ends. The hills of Nagaland prove to be major attraction for adventure lovers and there are many hiking trails around the National Park. Gorgeous landscapes and hills, cliffs and streams of the forest offer an excellent opportunity for mountain hiking and trekking expeditions. It is a fitting place for bird watching and camping in the woods.

Accommodation: The Ntangki National Park houses lodging facilities for tourists and one can certainly feel close to nature. Other accommodation includes PWD inspection bungalow and circuit house that are located near the park that are met for lodging purposes. The valley of abundance and its captivating surroundings is a spiritual experience and a journey to wanderlust.
How to Reach: The Ntangki National Park is easily accessible from Dimapur city which will guide you via road through the meandering roads of Nagaland. You can book a prepaid cab one way if you wish to stay the night or book a cab for the entire journey. The best months to visit the park are from the fall to spring-November to April. If you wish to visit the National Park directly from Dimapur Railway Station, you can try the Regional Taxi Stand located near the station. Dimapur can be reached through air as well where you can connect direct flights from Kolkata, Imphal. Various airlines like Air India, JetKonnect and Jet Airways fly to Dimapur Airport.

Nagaland Zoological Park

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Sublime weather all year round, Nagaland can host from different auspicious festivals to grand events. Its cool weather that exceeds not more than 35 degrees in summer is a great place to make your legs useful. Nagaland has an exquisite getaway spots for trekking, mountaineering or simply camping from valleys like Dzukou valley to Mount Japhu. Nagaland Zoological Park is one such spot to entertain, learn, and explore the heavenly.

This scenic park is located on the outskirts from the city center of Nagaland, Dimapur at about a distance of 6 kilometers in Rangapahar. The zoo provides a supreme spot for activities and sightsee some display of wild animals. The late Zoological park which was staged in the capital of Nagaland Kohima which is now located on the edge of Dimapur city at Rangapahar Wildlife Sanctuary. Due to its warmer climate it gives a sub tropical feel to the species. The Rangapahar Wildlife Sanctuary is looking forward to being converted into Deer Sanctuary as it houses different varieties of Deers including Sambar Deer, Spotted Deer and Barking Deer to name a few. Apart from deers you can catch a glimpse of chitals, wild goat, bear and many other animals in the reserve. The zoo gets plenty of water resources from the Dhansiri River bordering the site.

Nagaland is known to have several medicinal plants around the region and you can find it all in the park itself, a numerous collection of plants is kept well maintained at the Herbal Garden inside the zoo. The parks objective is to promote zoo not only as a breeding ground for animals but also an institution for conservation awareness for the people of the states and outside. An institutional ground for students learning medicine and scientific study of fauna and hence create awareness on wildlife conservation. At present the Zoological Park is operating breading center for endangered pheasant Tragopan. The forest reserve and zoo is famous for its plans variety which is of great medicinal importance.

The Park gratifies the many birds that fly above the reserve, get to see some unique and endangered birds flapping around the clear blue sky. This destination is certainly birdwatchers paradise. There are many endangered species that we may only see them through images or paintings but this wildlife reserve and sanctuary has some species conserved which are rarely seen by anyone. Apart from all the animals and plants the places you can visit in the premises are the library, Eco-Park, Museum, Biodiversity data base center, and Nature Interpretation Center. This is truly a paradise for animals with sufficient playground, tree groves and friendly people.

Accommodation: This national park is no stranger to the visitors where every year they zestfully walk the pavements of the park rubberneck to one’s advantage seeing some graceful and vicious wild. The park opens from 9 am to 4 pm and the best months to visit the sanctuary is between October to March. You can lodge in the city where hotel and guest houses are found in plenty.
How to Reach: Rangapahar Reserve Forest is one of the touristic spots in Dimapur and getting to the Zoological Park is not so difficult. The roadways to North East’s Dimapur is well connected to Northern states of India and you can find regular buses and taxis to communicate to the Reserve Forest. However arriving to the city at first place it is well connected via road, air, and rail from all major cities.

Amidst the wanderlust pristine terminals of animal kingdom some honorable mentions found in the states are mentioned as we read:

Pulie Badze Wildlife Sanctuary

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PulieBadze Wildlife Sanctuary is an important reserve in Kohima Town. With an area of 9.23 sq km it is adjacent to the two renounced peaks Dzukou Valley and Japhu Peak of Nagaland. The high hill of the sanctuary is home to some rare and endangered birds like the Avifaunal species like Blyth’s Tragopan a globally threatened bird and Dark Rumped Swift. This reserve is also important to avifauna conservation in southern Nagaland.

Mount Puliebadze is also a strategic location of the Japanese and Kohima battle that took place in the year 1944. You can take a hike to the mountain top from Jotsoma near kohima and get a glance of the beautiful town. The Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary are two important protected areas that are next to Dzukou Valley. All these sites are important to the conservation of avifauna in southern Nagaland.

A must do and see place in Nagaland for photography enthusiasts, home to various animals and birds this stage works as an open air platform to unique birds to fly. This majestic Pulie Badze Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in a refreshingly easy to the eyes field enclosed by green scenery and lush streams.

Where: Kohima, Nagaland

Fakim Sanctuary

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Situated in the hills near the border of India Myanmar Fakim Sanctuary is a beautiful wildlife preserve in the state of Nagaland. This sanctuary is blissfully covered in rich vegetation and green meadows filled with numerous flora and fauna. Some rare species of flora and fauna are seen here including some attractions of the sanctuary like Tiger, Slender, Loris, Panther, Himalayan bear, Jungle cat Barking deer, Hoolock gibbon etc.

The state gifted by nature has rare species of birds like the Great Hornbill, Tragopan, Jungle Fowl, and Doves. The ideal time to visit the sanctuary is during the winter season, the best months to set your foot in these regions are from November to February. Meandering brooks, narrow valleys, cool breeze, wildlife and a zest for adventure is all that will surround you.

Located close to Myanmar border it falls in the Pungro circle headquarter in Nagaland covering 642 hectares of land. Fakim Sanctuary can be reached in connivance and ease by connectible transports from all major cities to Dimapur, Nagaland. By connecting National Highway 39 via road towards Guwahati is recommended and tourists can avail local buses and taxis for here.

Attractive, mystic, undulating forests of the hills are always radiating with charming people and animals that are on the verge of extinction. Blend with its rich culture its abounding nature and experience Nagaland shimming through cloudless sky. The time is right and we will make it viable for you, if you enjoyed reading this blog please share. Contact us at +91-9212553106/07 or send us an email at info@tourmyindia.com to get suitable packages for your Northeastern adventure.