Nameri National Park

Nameri National Park

The Nameri National Park is a treasure trove of exotic flora and fauna.

NAMERI NATIONAL PARK: LOCATION

The Nameri National Park located in Assam extends northwards into the neighboring north-eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh.

This extension is known as the Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary.

Together, the wildlife area constitutes 1000 sq km.

OTHER TOURIST DESTINATION SPOTS NEAR NAMERI NATIONAL PARK

You can proceed to two other wildlife tourist destination spots from the Nameri National Park.

Both are in Assam, and interestingly enough each one is barely three hours drive from the Nameri National Park. One is the Orang Wildlife Sanctuary – located on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River. The other is the Kaziranga National Park – the World Heritage Site which is the habitat of the Great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros.

Moreover, the Nameri National Park is just 30 km away from the famous Tipi-based Orchid Centre in Arunachal Pradesh.

NAMERI NATIONAL PARK: MILESTONES

The first step to upgrade this natural wildlife location was taken on October 17, 1978 when it was declared as a Reserved Forest.

It was after eight years – on September 18, 1985 – that the Nameri Reserved Forest was declared a sanctuary. The total area under the Nameri Reserved Forest was 137 sq km.

The third milestone in the upgradation of the Nameri Reserved Forest was on February 27, 1997. The Nameri Reserved Forest was awarded the provisional notification of the status of a National Park. Another aspect during this declaration was that the total area of the Nameri Reserved Forest was extended by another 75 sq km. As a result, the aggregate area expanded to 212 sq km.

Notification of the ‘National Park’ title to the Nameri Reserved Forest was published on September 9, 1997. This time, the total area under the Nameri National Park encompassed 200 sq km – a reduction of 12 sq km.

The fourth development was on March 1, 2000 when the Nameri National Park was given the status of a ‘Declared Tiger Reserve.

NAMERI NATIONAL PARK: CONNECTIVITY

The Nameri National Park is well connected.

The nearest airport is Tezpur. You can hop on to a tourist bus up to Tezpur. Here you will have to again board a bus or hire a cab to Balipara.

The road to the Nameri National Park is the one that takes you to Bomdila in Arunachal Pradesh. The only difference is that your cab will take a right turn at the ‘Hathi Check gate’. Drive for a few moments and you reach the premises of the Nameri National Park.

The Nameri National Park is just one hour drive from the cultural hub Tezpur and 4.5 hours away from Jorhat.

The Nameri National Park is approximately 2.5-hour drive from the world famous Kaziranga National Park.

You can also go for an exhilarating five hour drive to the Nameri National Park from Guwahati – gateway to the North East.

NAMERI NATIONAL PARK: BIO-RESERVE TROVE

The Nameri National Park is the treasure trove of a varied species of flora and fauna.

The Nameri National Park is not only the destination spot of the bird watchers, the tiger conservationists but also of the botanists.

This is primarily because the Nameri National Park is indeed a biodiversity hotspot.

NAMERI NATIONAL PARK: FLORA & FAUNA

The Nameri National Park is home to many exotic plants and trees.

Mention may be made of the many medicinal plants and shrubs.

The 200 sq km Nameri National Park prides of exotic multi-colored orchids on branches of deciduous trees moist with dew or rain.

The river bank is dotted with grasslands. These are along narrow strips lying open to the vast sky. These carpets of Nameri National Park are also filled up with bamboo and cane groves.

NAMERI NATIONAL PARK: FANTASTIC FAUNA SPECIES

The Nameri National Park is home to a small endangered animal called the Hispid Hare. The mammoth pachyderms – elephant and the Great Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros – have also made the Nameri national Park their habitat.

The tiger family including the leopard and the Dhole (wild dog) likes to saunter among the tall grassland which it deems as its domain.

The other frequently encountered majestic animals in the Nameri National park are the wild boar, Himalayan Bear, sloth bear, bison, Muntjac, Malayan Giant Squirrel, besides the capped langur bison, and the sambar.

The Nameri national Park is also home to different species of deer like.

NAMERI NATIONAL PARK: AN AVIAN MUSEUM

Avid bird watchers from across the globe congregate at the Nameri National Park to do their case studies.

This is primarily because more than 350 species of birds flock here. Some of them are exotic to the Nameri national Park others are foreign tourists here on a seasonal jaunt.

Mention may be made of the resident and migratory avian species like the Blacked Necked Storks, Fishing Eagles, King Vultures, hill mynas, horn bills, plovers, bulbuls, bluebird bee eaters, babblers and the barbets besides the ubiquitous exotic cuckoo among others.

Mentionably, the Nameri National Park is the home to four species of the horn bill.

HOME TO RARE SPECIES OF REPTILES & INSECTS

If you are a keen botanist, you can spend fruitful time in this biodiversity hub studying the many reptiles. The natural environ of the Nameri National Park is ideal for such case studies.

Among the prominent reptiles are the Assam Roof Turtle or the Kachuga Sylehtensis

The insects of Nameri national park include the innumerable species of multihued butterflies, moths, and the lantern fly.

Notably, a large-sized Atlas Moth was recorded in the Nameri National Park. The wingspan of this Atlas moth was 10 inches. 

NAMERI NATIONAL PARK TOUR SURPRISES

What can be more fantastic than to savor the rare feeling of being far from the madding crowd? It is a pleasure guaranteed as you loll amidst Mother Nature and wildlife in their pristine glory!

The tour package to Nameri National Park is packed with a varied fare.

The surprise factor is that you will get several options packaged into one!

There is nature safari, eco-tourism, adventure tourism and also cultural tourism.

You can opt for rafting on the swift flowing Jia Bhoreli River. You can also do controlled angling on the river as you flow down the majestically scenic river.

Rafting and regulated angling are also allowed on the Kapili and the Manas rivers.

You can do rafting on rubber rafts and after wearing safety jackets as you navigate the rapids.

While rafting you can come across the seasonal aquatic avian like Brahmini Ducks, Mallard, Merganser, Cormorants, the Great Stone Plover among others.

TOUR MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

The best means to have this is to contact the tour operators, and sieve out the best one.

You can also ask for some permutations and combinations from the tour operators. They agree to provide you the extra touch, of course in lieu of some extra dough.

THE HERITAGE JAUNT

Above all, you would love the heritage jaunt into the economic hangover of the British rule, viz., and the tea estates that dot the surroundings.

You will come across undulating hills and plains carpeted with the lustrous green tea plants dotted with tall trees and the well furnished Assam-type well furnished bungalows amidst the well manicured lawns blooming with flowers.

You would be transported into the bygone days of the British rule by the stupendous décor, embellished teak wood furnishings, exotic China mud crockery and the uniformed waiters that serve you the meal.

Take a conducted Get to know how two leaves and a bud are taken through various stages to make the raw material that is used for the refreshing cup of tea.

Chill out at the tea estates’ clubs or play a tennis game or golf as well. The recreational facilities of the tea estates are wonderful.

THE CULTURAL COURSE

The primary attraction of the tour to the Nameri National Park is ‘Nature safari’ which is a part of culture tourism.

You will get acquainted with the colorfully vibrant and culturally rich tribal cultures and heritages particularly of the Mising community.

You will also have a tour of a typical Assamese village.

You can buy cane and bamboo handicrafts, handlooms, weaving tapestries, taste local delicacies including cuisines.

The cultural troupes of the villages will also present you a glimpse of their dances and songs.

REGULATED ANGLING WHAT EXACTLY IS IT?

Regulated angling is with reference to the endangered ‘Golden Mahseer’. It is also known as the tiger of the Himalayan Rivers. The Golden Mahseer is a fierce game fish.

The rivers of Nameri National Park are habitats of this wonderful fish which can grow up to as much as 100 kg and its body can be a s long as 60 inches.

The meaning of regulated angling is that you cannot eat the fish that you fish out of the river. The Rules state you will have to go for angling the Mahseer with a scientific angling rod. You can only have it measured. After the measurement of the captured mahseer is done, the game fish is released into the river.

In fact, an annual angling competition is held at the nearby eco camp.

POTASALI ANGLING CAMP EXPERIENCE IT TO LIVE IT

The Potasali eco-camp is quite famous for its wonderful facilities.

The Potasali eco camp is set against the backdrop of the Himalayan river, Jia Bhorali, and the sylvan tropical forests in the Eastern Himalayan foothills.

The Potasali eco camp is adjacent to the Nameri National Park (NNP).

The Potasali eco-camp was established in 1994.

The funding of the Potasali eco camp was done by the North East Council – a nodal body under the Central Government.

The purpose was to transform the place into a tourist destination spot. The purpose has been served as it is one of the most sought after packages by tourists – Indian as well as foreign.

The Potasali eco camp is located 38 kilometres from the nearest town of Tezpur in Sonitpur district of Assam.

This eco-camp is the brainchild of one of the illustrious families of Assam, namely that of Jyoti Prasad Agarwalla – the doyen of Assamese filmdom.

FOOD & LODGING FACILITIES AT POTASALI ECO CAMP

The lodging facilities are quite up to date. There are honeymoon cottages as well.

Visiting the Potasali eco camp during the tourism season is a must for all tourists. You will be able to pass nights in well furnished camps or in typical Assamese hutments within the natural surroundings.

The gurgling sound of the waters or the sounds of the night and the jungle conjure up a magical aura while the secure environment of the camp gives you total relaxation and peace of mind.

POTASALI ANGLING COMPETITION

The annual angling competition-cum-camping at the Potasali eco-camp is jointly organized by the Department of Forest, Government of Assam and the A(B)ACA (the Assam (Bhoreli) Angling & Conservation Association).

The A(B)ACA members overlooking the Potasali eco camp have formed a board of trustees. These members are nature conservationists from the nearby town of Tezpur.

The angling competition is held in November every year.

Hundreds of anglers congregate at this spot in the wintry days to take part in the week-long angling and camping extravaganza.