Efforts to save Namdapha national park

DIBRUGARH, March 14: The Namdapha National Park, located in the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, is unique in the world because of its wide altitudinal variation, ranging from 200 metres to 4500 metres above sea level. This 1985 square kilometre park is also home to four species of big cats: tiger, leopard, clouded leopard and snow leopard. Such variety is nowhere to be found in the country, in natural conditions. Namdapha's sprawling valley of dense evergreen rainforests lie in the misty blue hills along the turbulent Noa Dehing river. This river criss-crosses the park and is fed by several tributaries, chiefly the Deban, Namdapha, M'pen and Koravaiwa rivers. To create an effective group of environmental activists, Nature's Beckon has been working hard for bio-conservation in Northeast India. As part of this objective, the group has been organising nature orientation and training camps at various places of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The most recent of these camps was held at Namdapha from February 18 to 20 this year, which was attended by 28 members of the group. This was Nature's Beckon's 48th nature orientation camp, and the campers were based at the picturesque Deban camp. The group's chief coordinator, Mridu Paban Phukan was in overall charge of the camp and was assisted by Popi Santana Bharali and Bimal Gogoi, regional coordinators of Nature's Beckon. The assistant field director of Namdapha Project Tiger Reserve and National Park, A Gupta Choudhury, participated in the camp as a resource person. Santanu Choudhury, a scientist with the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehra Dun, was another resource person. At the camp, the participants trekked about 50 kms inside the park. The campers were taught techniques of bird watching and identification of wild animals. In spite of having a dedicated staff of foresters, the Namdapha national park has some inherent problems. Like poaching, illegal encroachment and narcotics trade inside the park. The staff strength of 15 to police a huge area of about 2000 square kilometres is akin to asking for too much. Nature's Beckon has sent out a request to the Arunachal Pradesh government to increase this staff strength. Nature's Beckon has also commenced a Hornbill Conservation Drive at four important Arunachali towns.