Saturday, December 21, 2024

Seven Iconic Animals Of Arunachal Pradesh And Where To See Them

The northeast Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh is home to some of the remotest places in the country that are home to great biodiversity. From regal-appearing butterflies to gorgeous high-altitude tigers to rare melodious songbirds, that state's collection of wildlife is as unique as it can get. Come discover seven iconic animals that call Arunachal Pradesh home and learn where you can find them when visiting this paradise on Earth.

Kaiser-i-Hind

The Kaiser-e-Hind butterfly. Image credit: Vkchandrasekharanlic via Wikimedia Commons.

This out-of-the-world beauty became the state butterfly of Arunachal Pradesh in 2021. The name of the butterfly is as royal as its appearance. It means "Emperor of India." This swallowtail butterfly attains a wingspan of 90 to 100 mm and sports a beautiful shimmering green colour with bright yellow patches. The Kaiser-i-Hind, although extremely rare, has a range stretching from Nepal to northeast India all the way to Vietnam. In India, it is found across six Eastern Himalayan states at altitudes ranging from 6,000 to 10,000 feet. They prefer densely forested areas. In Arunachal, the Kaiser-i-Hind has been spotted in the Talle Valley, Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, Ziro Valley, Luyor Pass, and more recently in Mechukha. Habitat loss and poaching to supply dead butterflies to collectors threaten the survival of this rare winged beauty.

Tiger

A Bengal tiger. Image credit: Seemaleena, via Wikimedia Commons.

Arunachal Pradesh is home to three tiger reserves—Pakke, Namdapha, and Kamlang—which together house only around nine tigers. Unfortunately, the tiger population of Arunachal has dipped from 29 as per the 2018 census to just 9 in 2022. NTCA has thus created a special task force to protect the tiger habitats in the state. There are also tigers in the remote Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, home to the Idu-Mishmi tribe. These people consider the tiger to be their sibling and, hence, refrain from killing the animal. However, reaching these tigers is extremely arduous as the valley is highly remote, and the terrain is challenging. NTCA has recently drafted a plan to establish a tiger reserve in the area, but the local Idu-Mishmis are protesting this move as they believe that it will hamper their rights to access the forest.

Arunachal Macaque

Arunachal macaque on a camera trap in Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary
Arunachal macaque on a camera trap in Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary. Image credit: Nandini Velho via Wikimedia Commons.

This endangered primate species is extremely rare, with only around 250 mature individuals surviving in the wild. It is one of the highest-dwelling macaque species, found at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 3,500 m. Currently, its only confirmed extant population is from Arunachal Pradesh, but it could survive in Bhutan and China as well. It is found in the Tawang District and in parts of the West Kameng (Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary) district in Arunachal Pradesh. The Arunachal macaque lives in a variety of habitats, including conifer forests, broadleaf forests, open scrub forests, and even agricultural areas. Hunting by non-locals for their meat and retaliatory killings by locals for agricultural damage are the primary threats to the species in Arunachal Pradesh.

Namdapha Flying Squirrel

The Red Giant Flying Squirrel from Namdapha National Park.
The Red Giant Flying Squirrel from Namdapha National Park closely resembles the Namdapha Flying Squirrel. Image credit: Prashanthns via Wikimedia Commons.

After 42 long years, scientists from the wildlife conservation organisation Aaranyak spotted the Namdapha Flying Squirrel in Arunachal Pradesh last year. It was last reported from the state in 1981. The scientists observed the critically endangered rodent for over an hour in 2023 and identified it based on its prominent ear tufts, distinguishing it from the similar-looking Red Giant Flying Squirrel. The Namdapha National Park offers the best chance to spot this squirrel, which is endemic to Arunachal Pradesh. The Namdapha flying squirrel is an arboreal, crepuscular species found in the dry, deciduous montane forests near flowing waterbodies.

Bugun Liocichla

Bugun Liocichla
A Bugun Liocichla in Arunachal Pradesh. Image credit: Muk.Seh via Wikimedia Commons.

A critically endangered beautiful songbird finds new hope in Arunachal Pradesh, where it was first spotted in 1995 and described for the first time in 2006. Till now, only 14 individuals of this species have been identified in the Braiduah village area in the West Kameng district near the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary. In 2024, the local Bugun community showed a great example of selflessness when they donated a part of their land, around 1,470 hectares of forest, to the government to create a protected area for these birds and other wildlife. Thus, the Braiduah Community Reserve was established to protect the land against tree felling and hunting, and allow the Bugun Liocichla to thrive.

Mishmi Takin

Parc Animalier d'Auvergne
A Mishmi takin on a rocky slope. Image credit: Parc Animalier d'Auvergne.

The endangered Mishmi takin is a goat-antelope takin subspecies native to parts of northeast India, China, and Myanmar. It lives in elevations ranging from 2,000 to 4,500 meters and can easily navigate through dense high-altitude forests and rocky outcrops. The takin is well-adapted to survive the frigid environment of its habitat and has a broad snout with a network of air cavities designed to warm the air reaching the lungs. It is threatened by habitat loss and hunting for bushmeat in parts of its range. In Arunachal Pradesh, the Dibang Valley is a stronghold of this species. In 2024, the takin was also spotted in the Kamlang Tiger Reserve in Lohit and Anjaw districts.

Ward's Trogon

A Ward's trogon. Image credit: Mark Gurney via Flickr.com.

Arunachal Pradesh is a paradise for birdwatchers. Many species of birds of all shapes and sizes and, of course, colours, occur here, including many rare and threatened species. The Ward's trogon is a strikingly beautiful bird with bright red plumage on the breast that stands out as a stark contrast to the surrounding greenery in the cloud forests of the state. Ward's trogon is a near threatened species with the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary being a great place to observe these birds in the wild. 




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