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National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Arunachal Pradesh

Explore Arunachal Pradesh National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries with district-wise list, flora, fauna, oldest, largest, smallest, and newest details

National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Arunachal Pradesh – Complete District-Wise Guide

Explore Arunachal Pradesh’s National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries with district-wise list, flora, fauna, oldest, largest, smallest, and newest details.

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Introduction

Arunachal Pradesh, located in the easternmost part of India, is home to rich and diverse ecosystems. With dense forests, alpine meadows, tropical rainforests, and snow-clad peaks, the state boasts significant wildlife biodiversity. As of 2025, it houses 2 National Parks and 11 Wildlife Sanctuaries, playing a critical role in the conservation of rare and endangered species, including red pandas, clouded leopards, and hornbills.

These protected areas are essential for students preparing for competitive exams like APPSC, UPSC, State Forest Services, and other general awareness tests.

List of National Parks in Arunachal Pradesh (with District & Key Facts)

There are two National Parks in Arunachal Pradesh Namdapha National Park and Mouling National Park.

1. Namdapha National Park (Changlang District)

Namdapha is the largest National Park in Arunachal Pradesh and the third-largest in India. Spread across 1,985 sq km, it is located in the Changlang district and was declared a National Park in 1983. It is the only park in India where all four big cats — the tiger, leopard, snow leopard, and clouded leopard — coexist. It also hosts elephants, red pandas, and the park also features a rich variety of butterflies, orchids, and birds like hornbills, partridges and over 500 bird species. The park lies within the Eastern Himalayas biodiversity hotspot and has dense tropical forests, making it ecologically crucial.

2. Mouling National Park (Upper Siang, West Siang, East Siang)

Mouling National Park spans 483 sq km and was notified in 1986. It covers parts of the Upper Siang, West Siang, and East Siang districts. The terrain is mountainous and mostly unexplored due to its remoteness. The park is famous for its population of red pandas, takin, and rare orchids. The vegetation ranges from tropical forests to alpine meadows, and it serves as the catchment for the Siyom River, a major Siang tributary.

List of Wildlife Sanctuaries in Arunachal Pradesh (with District & Key Facts)

Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary – East Kameng

One of the oldest sanctuaries in Arunachal, Pakke WLS was established in 1977. Spread over 862 sq km, it is best known for its hornbill conservation efforts. Elephants, barking deer, and giant squirrels are common here. It is now part of the Pakke Tiger Reserve.

Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary – Dibang Valley

This is the largest wildlife sanctuary in the state, covering a vast area of 4149 sq km. Located in one of the most remote areas of Arunachal, it is home to snow leopards, Mishmi takin, red goral, and Himalayan black bear. The sanctuary’s altitude ranges from tropical forests to high alpine ecosystems.

Eagle’s Nest Wildlife Sanctuary – West Kameng

Known globally for birdwatching, Eagle’s Nest covers 217 sq km and is a part of the Kameng Elephant Reserve. More than 450 bird species have been recorded here, including the rare Bugun liocichla and Ward’s trogon. It is also home to red pandas, leopards, and other Himalayan fauna.

Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary – Papum Pare

Covering 140 sq km, this sanctuary lies close to the state capital. Established in 1978, it features tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests. The sanctuary supports species like capped langurs, hoolock gibbons, deer, and rich floral biodiversity.

Kane Wildlife Sanctuary – West Siang

The smallest sanctuary in the state, Kane WLS was declared in 2007 and covers just 55 sq km. Despite its size, it is ecologically important, preserving hill forest habitat for mammals like civets, macaques, and a variety of birds.

Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary – Lower Dibang Valley

Mehao WLS, notified in 1980, spans 281 sq km around Mehao Lake. It includes diverse terrain from riverine belts to sub-tropical forests and is home to clouded leopards, flying squirrels, and over 100 bird species.

Sessa Orchid Wildlife Sanctuary – West Kameng

Established in 1989, this unique sanctuary is dedicated to the conservation of over 200 species of wild orchids. It also supports mammals like red panda and serow. The sanctuary lies within the Sessa-Bhalukpong biosphere zone.

Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary – Lohit

Established in 1989 and covering 783 sq km, Kamlang Sanctuary lies adjacent to Namdapha NP. The sanctuary boasts rich biodiversity, including elephants, wild boar, and reptiles. It is also rich in orchid varieties and medicinal plants.

Daying Ering Wildlife Sanctuary – East Siang

Located on the floodplains of the Siang River, this sanctuary is known for its birdlife, especially migratory birds such as cranes, ducks, and storks. It was established in 1978 and covers an area of 190 sq km, with both riverine and wetland habitats.

Talle Valley Wildlife Sanctuary – Lower Subansiri

This sanctuary, declared in 1995, spans 337 sq km and is known for its temperate broadleaf forests. The sanctuary has populations of Himalayan black bear, wild cats, and endangered pheasants.

Yordi-Rabe Supse Wildlife Sanctuary – West Siang

Established in 1996, this lesser-known sanctuary covers 398 sq km. It contains dense forest regions that are not easily accessible and are believed to host a number of endemic plant and animal species.

Wildlife Sanctuary District(s) Area (sq km) Year Key Species/Features
Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary East Kameng 862 1977 Hornbills, elephants
Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary Dibang Valley 4149 1992 Snow leopards, musk deer
Eagle’s Nest Wildlife Sanctuary West Kameng 217 1989 Bird paradise, red panda
Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary Papum Pare 140 1978 Hoolock gibbons, orchids
Kane Wildlife Sanctuary West Siang 55 2007 Smallest WLS, hill fauna
Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary Lower Dibang Valley 281 1980 Clouded leopard, orchids
Sessa Orchid Wildlife Sanctuary West Kameng 100 1989 Over 200 orchid species
Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary Lohit 783 1989 Hoolock gibbons, rare orchids
Daying Ering Wildlife Sanctuary East Siang 190 1978 Migratory birds, riverine eco
Talle Valley Wildlife Sanctuary Lower Subansiri 337 1995 Eastern Himalayan fauna
Yordi-Rabe Supse Wildlife Sanctuary West Siang 398 1996 Lesser-known sanctuary

District-Wise Categorization of Protected Areas

  • Changlang: Namdapha National Park, Kamlang Wild Life Sanctuary
  • West Kameng: Eagle’s Nest Wild Life Sanctuary, Sessa Orchid Wild Life Sanctuary.
  • East Kameng: Pakke Wild Life Sanctuary
  • Papum Pare: Itanagar Wild Life Sanctuary
  • Dibang Valley: Dibang Wild Life Sanctuary
  • Lower Dibang Valley: Mehao Wild Life Sanctuary
  • West Siang: Kane  Wild Life Sanctuary, Yordi-Rabe Supse Wild Life Sanctuary
  • East Siang: Daying Ering Wild Life Sanctuary
  • Lower Subansiri: Talle Valley Wild Life Sanctuary
  • Upper Siang/West/East Siang: Mouling National Park

Superlatives – Oldest, Largest, Smallest, Newest

  • Oldest Sanctuary: Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary (1977)
  • Largest Sanctuary: Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary (4149 sq km)
  • Smallest Sanctuary: Kane Wildlife Sanctuary (55 sq km)
  • Newest Sanctuary: Kane Wildlife Sanctuary (Notified 2007)

Flora and Fauna of Arunachal Pradesh’s Protected Areas

Common Fauna

Big cats: Tiger, snow leopard, clouded leopard
Herbivores: Mishmi takin, red goral, Himalayan serow, wild boar
Primates: Hoolock gibbon, capped langur
Birds: Hornbill, Bugun liocichla, pheasants, eagles, storks
Amphibians and reptiles: Pit vipers, frogs, turtles.

Common Flora

Evergreen, semi-evergreen, and alpine forests
Bamboo, cane, rhododendrons
Over 500 species of orchids (Sessa Orchid Sanctuary)
Medicinal and aromatic plants

Importance for Competitive Exams

Knowledge of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Arunachal Pradesh is essential for exams like APPSC, UPSC, SSC, and Forest Services. Questions frequently focus on their location, area, establishment year, and unique flora or fauna. Students are advised to remember the district-wise distribution and superlatives for quick recall during exams.

Disclaimer

This post is intended for general knowledge and educational use. While we’ve made every effort to ensure accuracy, some information or answers may be incorrect or outdated. We recommend cross-checking with official or updated sources where necessary.

If you spot any mistakes or have suggestions for improvement, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below — your feedback is always welcome!

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