In recent news, the cultivation of large cardamom in the Namdapha National Park has been declared illegal by the Changlang district administration. This move has brought attention to this unique national park, making it necessary to delve into its key features and facts.
About Namdapha National Park
Namdapha is not just a national park but also the name of a river that originates from within the park. This river meets the Noa-Dehing, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, and flows in a North-South direction through the middle of the park.
The park enjoys a varied climate depending on the location. The mountainous part experiences a mountain type of climate while the low-lying plains and valleys have a tropical climate.
Location
The park, covering 1,985 sq km, is located in the State of Arunachal Pradesh and it is the fourth largest national park in India. It lies close to the Indo-Myanmar-China trijunction and is nestled between the Dapha bum range of the Mishmi Hills and the Patkai range.
Legal Status and Biodiversity
Established as a national park in 1983, Namdapha was declared as a Tiger Reserve the same year. It enjoys a place on the Tentative Lists of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.
Namdapha is rich in biodiversity with more than 1000 floral species and over 1400 faunal species. It is particularly known for being the only park in the world that houses all four feline species of big cats – the Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard, and Clouded Leopard. Also, critically endangered species like the Namdapha flying squirrel and Hoolock Gibbons, the only ‘ape’ species found in India, reside here.
Vegetation
The park’s vegetation is characteristic of tropical evergreen forests.
Other Protected Areas in Arunachal Pradesh
Apart from Namdapha National Park, the state also boasts several other protected areas including Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary, Mouling National Park, Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary, Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Eagle Nest Wildlife Sanctuary.
Previous Year Questions in UPSC Civil Services Examination
In the 2015 UPSC Civil Services Examination, a question was posed regarding the climate variation of different national parks. The question was, “Which one of the following National Parks has a climate that varies from tropical to subtropical, temperate and arctic?” The options were Khangchendzonga National Park, Nandadevi National Park, Neora Valley National Park, and Namdapha National Park. The answer is Namdapha National Park.
In the 2013 exam, candidates were asked to match pairs of biosphere reserves, lakes, and national parks with their locations. One of the pairs was Namdapha National Park: Dafla Hills, which was incorrectly matched. The correct match is Namdapha National Park: between the Dapha Bum range of the Mishmi Hills and the Patkai range.
