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Wildlife Sanctuary In Meghalaya
The state of Meghalaya in NorthEast India have 4 wildlfie sanctuaries in it. These 4 wildlife sanctuaries are Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, Baghmara Pitcher Plant Sanctuary, Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary and the Siju Wildlife Sanctuary.
Wildlife Sanctuary In Meghalaya Map
4 Wildlife Sanctuary in Meghalaya
1. Nongkhyllem wildlife sanctuary
- Date of Notification: 25 March 1981
- Area: 29.00 km2
Located in the Ri-Bhoi District, about 53 km from Shillong and 51 km from Dispur, the Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary spans an area of 29.00 sq.kms, it falls within the Eastern Himalayan Global biodiversity hot spot.
Dominant vegetation includes tropical wet evergreen and semi-evergreen forests containing sal, teak, rosewood and Albizzia trees. Major fauna include Asian elephants, deer, wild boars, big cats, primates and birds.
A study conducted by J.Joseph in 1982 recorded approximately 1036 taxa of vegetation belonging to 639 genera of 159 families in an area of about 200 sq.kms.
When it comes to avian diversity, Shri Anwarruddin Choudhury’s bird survey conducted between April 1996 and October 1998 identified over 400+ species of birds within this sanctuary. Furthermore, this survey documented the presence of endangered species such as the Rufous Necked Hornbill.
2. Baghmara pitcher plant sanctuary
- Date of Notification: 24th May 1984
- Area: 0.02 km2
The Baghmara Pitcher Plant Sanctuary (BPPS) is located in the South Garo Hills District of Meghalaya. Established in 1984, it is the only sanctuary in Meghalaya dedicated to the in-situ conservation of the pitcher plant.
The Nepenthes Khasiana is an endemic species found only in India and specifically in Meghalaya. The conservation value of this Wildlife Sanctuary In Meghalaya extends beyond protecting this rare plant; it also provides a home for various small animals such as squirrels, foxes, mongoose, lizards, and snakes. Additionally, the sanctuary also safeguards against soil erosion and acts as a water source for surrounding villages.
3. Narpuh wildlife sanctuary
- Date of Notification: 10th June 2014
- Area: 59.9 km2
The Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary was notified on June 10th, 2014 and spans an area of 59.9 square kilometers in the East and West Jaintia Hills districts of Meghalaya. It receives over 6,000 mm of rainfall annually from the southwest monsoon, enabling the growth of tall evergreen and semi-evergreen forests. These forests are critical habitat for 92 bird species such as the Oriental Pied Hornbill and Great Pied Hornbill, 199 butterfly species, and 35 mammals including endangered species like Hoolock Gibbons, Slow Lorises, Serows, and Leopards.
The sanctuary harbors a rich biodiversity of flora, including tree species like Castanopsis indica, Dysoxylum sp., Syzygium sp., and shrubs such as Mahonia pycnophylla and Polygala arillata. Many snakes can be found here as well, including the King Cobra, Common Krait, Common Vine Snake, and Reticulated Python
4. Siju wildlife sanctuary
- Date of Notification: 30th March 1979
- Area: 5.18 km2
The Siju Wildlife Sanctuary is Meghalaya‘s oldest sanctuary, notified on March 30th, 1979 spanning 5.18 square kilometers in the Garo Hills. It is bordered by the Simsang River on the west and Balpakram National Park on the east. Siju forms part of the Balpakram-Baghmara and Siju-Rewak elephant corridors where Asian elephants migrate. The area was originally declared a Reserved Forest in 1906 by the Lieutenant-Governor of East Bengal and Assam. Siju is named after the Garo village located here dominated by the ‘Attong’ subtribe.
The tropical moist forests of Siju provide key habitat for Barking deer, Sambar, Wild Boar, Clouded Leopard, Hoolock Gibbon, and Slow Loris among other mammals. Over 200 species of birds reside here or migrate through the sanctuary including the Grey Hornbill and Spoonbill. Reptiles like the Rock Python, King Cobra and Green Pit Viper also inhabit the dense forests. Many rare plants can be found including Shorea robusta, Tectona grandis, Terminalia myriocarpa and Schima wallichii.
