Tiger Reserves are statutorily designated areas aimed at conserving tigers and ensuring their viable population. The Tiger Reserves in India are established under Project Tiger. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), established in 2005, administers the Project Tiger and Tiger Reserves in India.
This article will tell you all you need to know about the Kamlang Tiger Reserve, to aid you in preparation for your UPSC Exam.
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Why is Tiger Reserve in the News?
- The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has recently designated the combined areas of Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary located in Chhattisgarh as a Tiger Reserve.
- This makes it the 53rd Tiger Reserve in India and the 4th in Chhattisgarh.
- Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary (Rajasthan) is the 52nd Tiger Reserve in India.
- India had 50 Tiger Reserves till 2020. With 3 new additions in 2021, the count is now 53. Kamlang Tiger Reserve was the 50th Tiger Reserve of India.
IAS aspirants must also read about the Species in News for UPSC Prelims for their reference.
About the Kamlang Tiger Reserve
1. Topography
The Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1989. It is named after the Kamlang River that flows through it. The reserve is situated in the south-eastern part of the Lohit District of Arunachal Pradesh and covers 783 square kilometers (302 square miles) in area. It is surrounded by the Lang River on the Northern side and Namdapha National Park on the Southern side. It is one of the 12 protected areas in Arunachal Pradesh.
The park has a number of elevated water bodies, including Glow Lake. The lake covers an area of 8 square kilometers and is accessible only by trekking. The pristine lake is one of the major attractions of the sanctuary. However, the lack of a proper trekking route prevents most tourists from witnessing the beautiful lake.
2. Wildlife at Kamlang Tiger Reserve
Kamlang Tiger Reserve is rich in flora and fauna and is home to many rare and endangered plants and animals. Though small in area, the reserve houses four big cat species of India- tiger, leopard, clouded leopard, and snow leopard. The reserve is reported to have 61 species of mammals, 105 species of bird, and 20 species of reptiles.
The most commonly found animals in the sanctuary include elephants, tigers, Leopard, Hollock gibbons, Stump tailed macaques, Capped Langur, Boar, Civets, Deer, Hornbill, Giant, and flying squirrels. Of the fifteen species of primate in India, six species are found in Kamlang Tiger Reserve. These are
- Capped langur (Trachypithecus pileatus)
- Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta)
- Stump-tailed macaque (Macaca arctoides)
- Assamese macaque (Macaca assamensis)
- Eastern hoolock gibbon (hoolock leuconedys)
- Bengal slow loris (Nycticebus bengalensis)
The Kamlang Tiger Reserve is rich in flora too. The upper reaches of the reserve have Alpine vegetation, while the lower reaches have tropical and evergreen forests. It produces trees like Canarium resiniferum, Amoora wallichii, Gmelina arborea, and Terminalia chebula. There are about 150 tree species in the area. What’s more, the park houses a wide variety of bamboos, herbs, grasses, shrubs, and about 49 species of orchids.
3. Inhabitants of Kamlang Tiger Reserve
Mishmi, Diagro Mishmi, and Miju Mishmi are the local inhabitants residing around the periphery of the Kamlang Tiger Reserve. They claim themselves to be the descendents of “King Rukmo” of “Mahabharat .”These inhabitants believe in the myth of an unseen God whom they call “Suto Phenkhenynon jamalu.”
4. Best Time to Visit Kamlang Tiger Reserve
The climate around the Kamlang Tiger Reserve remains pleasant throughout the year. Hence, one can visit the park at any time of the year. However, most tourists prefer visiting the reserve from October till March. Nature is at its best during this time at Arunachal Pradesh, and the park is lush green with new vegetation. This further enhances the scenic beauty of the Kamlang Tiger Reserve.
Get more interesting facts about the National Animal of India in the linked article.
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