Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Entertainment | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

SANCTUARY SPOTLIGHT

Mouling National Park

Declared a National Park in 1986, Mouling is known for its three varieties of goat — antelopes, locally known as takin, coral and serow. Situated in the Eastern Himalayan province of Arunachal Pradesh, Mouling is a bio-diversity hotspot with a complex hill system comprising forests — a mix of tropical wet evergreen, semi evergreen, subtropical broad-leaved hill forests, montane wet temperate forests and bamboo.

The landscape covers mountainous land with step slopes covered with dense vegetation. It is watered by a number of small brooks and 13 streams that finally join the Siang River. Thick cane and bamboo brakes along the wet banks of the streams at lower altitudes and the strong currents make this park a little difficult to approach.

You'll find velvety moss carpets, luxuriant tree ferns, screw pines as well as creepers, climbers and herbaceous flora. And, of course, beautiful orchids.

Area: 483 sq. km. in the West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh

Best time to visit: November to April

Animals: Takin, serow, goral, clouded leopard, black bear, red panda, pheasant, buffalo, tiger, panther, elephant, hog dear, barking deer, sambar, python and several species of birds.

How to get there:

Road: North Lakhimpur, Itanagar, Likabali, Pasighat, Along (30 km)

Rail: North Lakhimpur and Silapathar or Morkongselak (40 km)

Air: Lilabari at Tezpur (230 km)

Where to stay: At circuit houses, inspection bungalows or at private hotels in Along.

Contact: The Divisional Forest Officer, Mouling National Park, P.O. Jengging, Upper Siang District, Arunachal Pradesh

Deputy Commissioner, Along Ph: 037832 - 22221.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail