Wildlife Sanctuaries of Mizoram

At present Government of Mizoram have notified six protected areas viz. Dampa Tiger Reserve, Phawngpui National Park, Murlen National Park, Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary, Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary and Lengteng Wildlfie Sanctuary.

PLACES TO VISIT

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^o13'12" - 92^o27'27" East and 23^o32'42" - 23^o41'36" North and altitude 200m - 1200m 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 tlâng and Chhawrpial tlâng 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 variety of birds. There are 10 villages around the Tiger Reserve, with a population of roughly 10,000 tribals mostly Mizo, Chakma and Tuikuk tribes and practising 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. It is reported that inside this Tiger Reserve some insurgent outfits like Bru National Liberation Front (BNLF - Tuikuk insurgent) are frequently killing animals.

Murlen National Park

The Murlen National Park is situated about 245 km east of Aizawl, the State Capital of Mizoram at 23^o32' - 23^o42' north and 92^o13' - 92^o27' east. This Park lies close to the Indo-Myanmar border. It is significant because of its proximity to the Chin Hills. It covers and area of approximately 200 sq. km and ranges in altitude from 400m to about 1900m above MSL. Large tracts of relatively undisturbed Sub-Tropical evergreen/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 five 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 Government. Range Officer with headquarters at N. Khawbung and four Beat Officers under the control of DFO, Wildlife Division, Aizawl, manage the Park.

Phawngpui National Park

It is situated in South-Eastern Mizoram at 22^o39' north and 93^o02' east adjacent to Myanmar, with an area of 50 sq. km. The highest peak in Mizoram, the Phawngpui (2360m) 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, practising jhum system which threats fire hazards in this Park during fire season. The Park is managed by Range Officer with headquarter at Sangau and five Beat Officers under the control of DFO Chhimtuipui Forest Division, Lawngtlai.

Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary

It is situated in South-Western Mizoram at 92^o45' to 92^o50' east and 22^o21' to 22^o30' 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 200m to about 1200m 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, hoolock gibbon, rhesus macaque, leaf monkey, common langur, etc. It is also surrounded by 7 villages. The sanctuary is managed by Range Officer with headquarter Ngengpui, and 5 Beat Officers under the control of DFO Chhimtuipui Forest Division.

Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary

It is situated in eastern Mizoram adjacent to Murlen National Park. The area was recently issued preliminary notification by the State Govt. on 4.4.'99. The approximate total area of the sanctuary is 120 sq. km and ranges from 400m to 2300m 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, hume's bartailed pheasant, kaleej pheasant, hoolock gibbon, rhesus macaque, wild boars, etc. It is temporarily managed by Range Officer with headquarter at Ngopa under the control of ACF (Chief Wildlife Warden Office), Aizawl.

Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary

This sanctuary is situated approximately 170 km from Aizawl, in the central part of Mizoram at 92^o55' to 92^o59' east and 23^o04' to 23^o10' north. It covers an area of about 41 sq. km and ranges in altitude from 400m to 1300m. Sub-tropical and semi-evergreen forest types are found in the sanctuary and the common wild animals found are leopard, barking deer, sambar, serrow, hoolock gibbon, wild boar, etc. In 1997 one tiger was reported from the protected area.

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