The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has recently announced the plan to designate the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh as a tiger reserve. This announcement has sparked concerns within the Idu Mishmi tribe who believe this will impede their access to the forest.
Understanding The Idu Mishmis
Idu Mishmi is a sub-tribe of the larger Mishmi group, predominantly inhabiting the Mishmi Hills of Arunachal Pradesh and parts of neighbouring Tibet. They reside in the districts of Dibang Valley, Lower Dibang Valley, Upper Siang and Lohit. As per census data from 2011, the tribe’s population is approximately 12,000. Their language, also known as Idu Mishmi, is considered endangered by UNESCO.
The Idu Mishmis are recognised for their skills in weaving and craftsmanship. They have a deeply-rooted connection with the region’s diverse ecosystem, and their animist traditions have resulted in unique wildlife conservation practices. Their cultural beliefs attribute a significant role to tigers – according to their mythology, tigers are regarded as their elder brothers.
Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary: A Closer Look
Located in India’s northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary is named after the Dibang River flowing through it. It is recognised as a biodiversity hotspot and falls under the Eastern Himalayas Endemic Bird Area.
The sanctuary boasts a wide variety of plant life, including tropical evergreen forests, subtropical broadleaf forests, alpine meadows and sub-alpine coniferous forests. Some notable tree species found here are oak, rhododendron, bamboo, and fir.
It hosts several rare and endangered animal species like the Mishmi takin, musk deer, goral, clouded leopard, snow leopard, and tiger, along with bird species like the Satyr tragopan, Blyth’s tragopan, and Temminck’s tragopan. Apart from its rich flora and fauna, the sanctuary is also inhabited by indigenous communities such as the Idu Mishmi.
Established in 1998 for biodiversity preservation, the sanctuary’s conservation efforts have included mapping tiger habitats and counting tigers. The proposal to declare the sanctuary as a tiger reserve is an expansion of these efforts. However, the sanctuary currently faces threats like habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. The proposed tiger reserve is expected to offer better protection to the wildlife and their habitats.
Other Protected Regions in Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is home to several other protected areas that contribute to its biodiversity. These include the Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary, Namdapha National Park, Mouling National Park, Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary, Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary and Eagle Nest Wildlife Sanctuary.
Scrutinizing Biodiversity Hotspots
“Biodiversity hotspot” is a term introduced by British biologist Norman Myers in 1988. It describes a biogeographic region distinguished by exceptionally high levels of plant endemism and significant habitat loss. To be classified as a hotspot, a region should meet two strict criteria: It must contain at least 1,500 species of endemic vascular plants (constituting more than 0.5% of the world’s total) and it must have lost at least 70% of its original habitat.
While most of the currently recognised 36 biodiversity hotspots are located in tropical regions, there are exceptions like the Eastern Australian temperate forests and the Succulent Karoo in South Africa. India is home to four of these hotspots – the Himalayas, the Western Ghats, the Indo-Burma region and the Sundaland which includes the Nicobar group of Islands.
