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Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh
 Itanagar
The capital of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar is also known as
'the Land of the Dawnlit Mountains'. It is located to the
east of Tawang and has been identified with Mayapur, a city
dating back to the 14th -15th century AD. The major attractions
of Itanagar include the Itafort, Buddhist monastery, Jawaharlal
Nehru Memorial Museum, and the Ganga lake (Geykar Sinyi) and
the Zoo. It is also ideal for boating, canoeing and angling
on the river Dikrong.
Tawang
Tawang, perched at a height of over 10,000 ft, is world-renowned
for its 400 year old Buddhist Monastery, one of the biggest
monasteries in India. The Monastery was founded by a monk,
Mera Lama, a contemporary of the fifth Dalai Lama. Before
the establishment of the Monastery, Tawang was a centre of
Tantric religion. The Tawang Monastery is also known as the
‘Galden Namgyal Lhatse’. The ‘Parkhang’ hall of the monastery
houses the library which boasts rare hand written and block-printed
Thankas or manuscripts of revered books like ‘Tangym’, ‘Kangyur’
and ‘Sungbhum’. The other uncommon works of Buddhist literature
include 108 gold-embossed manuscripts of the ‘Teaching of
Lord Buddha’ and 225 volumes of the explanations of Buddha’s
teachings covered with specially designed moth - proof silk
adorned with paintings. The monastery complex also includes
a towering 18 ft high gilded statue of the Buddha. There is
also a craft centre, which produces exquisite woollen carpets.
Tawang is also suitable for trekking and hiking.
Dirang
It is a sub-divisional headquarters in the West Kameng district.
The attractions of this place are apple orchards, sheep breeding
farms and natural hot springs. It is ideal for trekking.
Tipi
On the banks of the Bharali river at an altitude of 190 mts
is Tipi, an orchidarium with more than 7500 orchids, such
as the Dainty Lady's Slipper or Dendrobium. Arunachal has
the widest range of orchids in the country, and at Tipi, scientists
are creating new, hybrid species employing the latest techniques
of biotechnology. This place is also ideal for rafting, and
angling on the river Kameng. Another 40 kms away is the Orchid
Park at Sessa.
Bomdila
The headquarters of the West Kameng District, Bomdila is located
at a breathtaking height of 2,530 mts, commanding majestic
views of the Himalayan landscape and several snowy peaks.
The region boasts many apple orchards and Buddhist monasteries,
'Gompas'. there is also a crafts centre that produces exquisite
carpets of varying designs. Around Bomdila are fine trails
for trekking enthusiasts.
Bhalukpong
Headquarters of the Bhalukpong circle, Bhalukpong is ideal
for rafting and angling on the river Kameng. It also has an
orchid centre.
Pasighat
Headquarters of the East Siang district, it is located on
the banks of the river Siang. The Lali Wildlife Sanctuary
is the highlight of the region. The place is also ideal for
rafting, boating and angling on the river Siang.
Tezu
Tezu is the headquarters of the Lohit district. The Parasuram
Kund is a holy place of the Hindus, where pilgrims from all
over the country come for a holy dip. The place is also ideal
for rafting and angling on the river Lohit.
Namdhapa
The Namdhapa National Park is famous for the extremely elusive
snow leopard, and the clouded leopard. Three major rivers
drain this area and flow into the Noa Dihing, a tributary
of the Brahmaputra. Some of the inhabitants of the Park include
the gaur or mithun, elephant, Himalayan black bear, takin,
the wild goat peculiar to the Patkoi range, musk deer, slow
loris, binturong and the red panda. Several primate species
like the Assamese macaque, pig-tailed macaque, stump-tailed
macaque and the hoolock gibbon can be found in the area. The
inaccessibility of a major portion of the Park has helped
in preserving the pristine quality of the region. The Park
is also a Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger.
The best time to visit the Park is from October
to March.
The nearest rail-head
is Ledo (56 km) and the nearest airport
is Dibrugarh (163 km).
The Government Tourist Lodge, Miao and Rest House at Namchik
are the available means of accomodation.
Contact: Field Director,
Project Tiger, P.O. Miao, Dist. Tirap, Arunachal Pradesh.
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