Nature’s Bounty: Explore 6 Gorgeous National Parks in Nagaland

Where Flora and Fauna are rich, the vegetation is natural and abundant, and life is innate and joyful; you can expect many National parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries there. One such lush place is Nagaland in Northeast India.

One of the seven sister states of North East India, Nagaland is a green paradise. The Sister States, mainly because they are dependent on each other and richly similar in their biodiversity, yet Nagaland has found a special place in the list and heart of the wildlife seekers and attracts nature lovers the most amongst all travellers.

While Mainland India sees a rise in metropolises across the four zones, Nagaland, a quaint town, is happy being quiet as nature’s child. And that is what makes Nagaland one of the most bio-diverse regions in India.

With indigenous tribal culture and sprawling landscapes, Nagaland is also a haven for wildlife lovers and photographers, where they can find 350 species of wild orchids, exclusive and endangered species amongst other birds and animals.

National Parks and Wildlife sanctuaries together cater to conserving the wildlife and their ecosystem and preserving the natural habitat and landscapes.

Let’s read in detail about the 6 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Nagaland.

1. Ntanki National park

• History: Established by British administrators in 1923 by carving out a forested area of around 180 KM initially, the Intonki forest reserve was enlarged by 20 Km further in 1927. In 1975, the government of Nagaland declared it as Ntanki Wildlife Sanctuary which followed its up-gradation to Ntanki National Park in 1993.
• Landscape: It is covered with lush, thick rain forests and downpour woodlands, making it a natural habitat of reptiles, bugs, well-evolved, and flying creatures.
• Fauna: There are Tigers, sloth bears, wild dogs, flying squirrels, python, golden langur, with main attraction towards wild buffaloes (that depicts ‘Mithun’ sun sign in Indian zodiac signs) along with rarely witnessed, hoolock gibbon, found nowhere else on the planet.
• Location: 37 Km away from Dimapur, Ntanki National Park is set up in the town of Peren. The nearest landmark is Beisumpuikum village, from where a 7-Km trail will take you to the gates of the forest camp.

• Best time to visit: Visiting the park between November and February is most suitable to take a soul-searching trail amidst lush grass and semi-tropical trees with trekking and camping opportunities.

2. Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary

• History: Established in the year 1983 by the government of Nagaland, Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over an area of 640 hectares. It was planned to preserve Blyth's Tragopan, a vulnerable pheasant.
• Landscape: Thiswildlife sanctuary is set up on the slopes of Saramati Mountain. Being remote and less accessible, hence less disturbed with the abundance of biodiversity. The place also receives heavy rainfall that adds to the beauty and diversity of the wildlife.
• Flora and Fauna: With vibrant flora like pine, Amari, oaks, sasi, and tigers, leopards, golden cat, hornbill, amongst the animals, Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary is home to equally rich vegetation.
• Location: 30 Kmfrom the nearest township of Pungro, in the Kiphire sub-district of Tuensang district, close to the Indo-Myanmar border, lies Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary on the slopes of Saramati Mountain. It is connected with a well-motorable road from major destinations in Nagaland.
• Best Time to visit: November to March is the best time to embark on the rawest Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary.

3. Pulie Badze Wildlife Sanctuary

• History: Pulie Badze Wildlife Sanctuary was constituted in 1980 as a protected area for wildlife. It is named after a folklore character, ‘Pulie’.
• Landscape: Also built as a catchment area catering to the needs of Kohima city,Pulie Badze Sanctuary is atop a hill, surrounded by lush greenery and streams, and also shares a part of Mt. Japfu (second highest peak in Nagaland). The vantage point gives a panoramic view of Kohima city.
• Fauna: Enriched with immense flora and fauna, this wildlife sanctuary is home to a wide variety of birds like Blyth's Tragopan, white-naped Yuhina. You can also find plenty of medicinal plants and bamboo trees, adding diversity to its flora and making for an exciting trek.
• Location: One of the best wildlife sanctuaries in Nagaland is located in the capital city Kohima, near the Jyotsoma village, a half-hour hike at the end of a motorable road takes you to the spot.
• Best Time to visit: Despite being a peak season in October to May, it is good to plan your trip to Kohima then. The weather is pleasantly cool with the opportunity to witness the famous Hornbill festival for wildlife lovers.

4. Rangapahar Wildlife Sanctuary

• History: Established in 1961 and declared as a reserve forest in 1986 at Dimapur, Rangapahar Wildlife Sanctuary kept losing the designated land due to land encroachment until 1986, and today it is nestled securely and spread across 49.4 acres of land.
• Landscape: Securedon the plains of Dimapur city, the amazing landscape offers a safe shelter to various wild animals.
• Fauna: The placeboasts of jungle majesties like a wild goat, chital, bear, deer, etc. People can witness Triple Falls (beautiful streams falling from 280 ft into a natural pool) and Langpangkong caves.
• Location: A quite easily accessible spot for travellers, as many buses and auto-rickshaws will drop you at the forest entrance from Dimapur city centre.
• Best Time to visit: You can visit this beautiful sanctuary any time throughout the year as the temperature remains consistent. However, it is good to avoid the monsoon season between June and September to avoid patchy, torrential rains.

5. Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary

• History: Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary was decided in 1989 when the village council agreed to protect the forest of the Khonoma watershed. Following which an independent Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary trust was madethat made village Khonoma, India’s first green village and one of the best places to visit in Nagaland.
• Landscape: As apart of the Duzkou valley through which Duzkou, a tributary of the River Barak, flows down to form a small valley, it is a well-preserved subtropical broadleaf forest nearby the valley.
• Fauna: The sanctuary is full of birds like Blyth’s Tragopan, Spot-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Striped Laughingthrush, Rusty-capped Fulvetta, and animals like Ferret Badger, Marbled cat, Back-striped Weasel, etc.
• Location: Located in the historical village of Khonoma, just 20 Km from the state capital Kohima. Several modes of transport are available from Kohima towards the winding and uphill road leading to Khonoma.
• Best Time to visit: The tranquil place can be visited any time of the year except the monsoon season, due to the breeding of insects, which can be unpleasant and harmful.

6. Nagaland Zoological Park

• History: Set upin 2008 with a mission to expand the rich ecology of Nagaland, Zoological Park in Dimapur district is recognised as a medium zoo by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), New Delhi.
• Landscape: Spread across176 hectares, the park is in a low-lying area and on a rolling plateau, making it a convenient place for all species, especially aquatic birds.
• Fauna: Nagaland’sbiggest zoo consists of over 100 district species compromising of mammals like panther, bats, leopard, crocodile, along with Hawk, Hornbill, Falcons, and venomous cobras and python as birds and reptiles, respectively.
• Location: The Zoo is located 6 Km away from the Dimapur district and Rangaphar railway station, 10 Km away from Dimapur airport. Buses, taxis, and auto-rickshaws transit to and from the zoo throughout the day.
• Best Time to visit: During the pleasant weather time in the months of October to March, you can plan an adventurous trip to this zoo with family and kids.

Visiting National parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries are always fulfilling to the heart as you witness raw nature and develop a connection amongst other species that share this planet with us. In addition, it provides recreational opportunities and builds knowledge about these natural habitats.

These extravagant and gorgeous National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Nagaland are crowns that the magnificent sister state proudly put and make itself stand out on the world map for travellers. Make sure these are included when you search for the best Nagaland tour packages or customise your own itinerary through our trip advisors.