North East India is a breathtaking treasure trove of nature’s wonders, known for its rich and diverse flora and fauna. This region, situated in the Eastern Himalayas and Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, offers a unique combination of varied altitudes, climates, and landscapes. As a result, North East India is home to some of the most exotic and rare species of plants and animals found nowhere else on the planet. From dense rainforests to high-altitude mountain ranges, the region boasts an astonishing range of biodiversity, attracting nature lovers, botanists, and wildlife enthusiasts from around the globe.
In this blog, we will explore some of the most beautiful and rare plants and animals that thrive in different regions of North East India, offering insights into the best times to visit these pristine habitats and enjoy the unparalleled natural beauty.
1. Kaziranga National Park, Assam: The One-Horned Rhinoceros Sanctuary
One of India’s most iconic wildlife sanctuaries, Kaziranga National Park in Assam is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is internationally renowned for its thriving population of the endangered one-horned rhinoceros. The park is a sanctuary not just for rhinos but also for Bengal tigers, elephants, wild water buffalo, and various bird species.
Kaziranga is covered with vast stretches of tall elephant grass, tropical forests, and marshland. These dense grasslands provide a safe haven for large herbivores and support a wide range of plant life, including unique aquatic plants in the park’s numerous wetlands.
The park’s most famous inhabitant is the one-horned rhinoceros. Other notable species include Bengal tigers, wild elephants, swamp deer, and hoolock gibbons. Bird species like the Bengal florican and migratory birds such as pelicans and black-necked storks can also be seen.
Best Time to Visit: November to April. During these months, the park remains open, and the chances of wildlife sightings are higher due to the dry weather.
2. Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh: The Kingdom of Big Cats
Namdapha National Park, located in the far eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh, is a haven for wildlife lovers and one of the most biodiverse regions in India. It is the only park in India where four species of big cats – the snow leopard, clouded leopard, common leopard, and Bengal tiger – are found.
The park’s varied altitudes (ranging from 200 to 4,500 meters above sea level) create diverse habitats. Namdapha is a dense tropical rainforest home to a wide variety of orchids, ferns, and temperate plant species.
Apart from the four big cats, Namdapha is home to red pandas, Mishmi takins, Asiatic black bears, and rare primates like the hoolock gibbon. Birdwatchers can also spot hornbills, kingfishers, and many endemic bird species.
Best Time to Visit: October to April. The winter months offer a clearer view of the snow-clad peaks and better chances of spotting animals due to the cold weather.
3. Manas National Park, Assam: A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Manas National Park is situated at the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas along the Assam-Bhutan border. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its natural beauty and diverse wildlife. Manas is also a Biosphere Reserve and a Tiger Reserve, making it a hotspot for conservation.
The park boasts a wide range of ecosystems, from alluvial grasslands to semi-evergreen forests. It is home to a variety of plant species, including numerous medicinal plants and wildflowers.
Manas is a sanctuary for several endangered species, including the Bengal tiger, Indian elephant, golden langur, pygmy hog, and Assam roofed turtle. Bird species such as the giant hornbill, pied falconet, and migratory waterfowl can also be spotted here.
Best Time to Visit: October to April. The park’s beauty is at its peak, and wildlife sightings are abundant during the dry season.
4. Sessa Orchid Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh: The Land of Orchids
Sessa Orchid Sanctuary is located in the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh and is one of the most unique places to witness the diverse flora of North East India. This sanctuary is home to more than 200 species of orchids, making it a botanist’s paradise.
The sanctuary’s terrain is predominantly covered with dense tropical and subtropical forests, which support an incredible variety of orchids. Some of the rare and exotic orchids found here include Paphiopedilum fairrieanum and Dendrobium nobile.
The sanctuary is also home to several species of wildlife, such as the red panda, barking deer, and flying squirrels. Birdwatchers can find hornbills, parakeets, and warblers amidst the foliage.
Best Time to Visit: March to May. This is the blooming season for orchids, and visitors can witness the sanctuary’s vibrant display of flowers.
5. Keibul Lamjao National Park, Manipur: The World’s Only Floating National Park
Located on the Loktak Lake, Keibul Lamjao National Park is a unique marvel of nature. It is the world’s only floating national park, famous for its unique floating islands of vegetation, known as phumdis, and for being the last refuge of the endangered Sangai deer (also known as the dancing deer).
The park is characterized by its floating vegetation of phumdis, a dense mass of organic matter and plants that form islands on the lake. The park also contains aquatic plants and grasses that support its floating ecosystem.
The star species of Keibul Lamjao is the Sangai deer. Other notable animals include hog deer, wild boar, and large Indian civet. Migratory birds also flock to the park, especially during the winter months.
Best Time to Visit: October to March. This period offers the best weather for exploring the park and witnessing the Sangai deer in their natural habitat.
6. Dzukou Valley, Nagaland: The Valley of Flowers
Dzukou Valley, located at the border of Nagaland and Manipur, is often referred to as the “Valley of Flowers of the North East.” Famous for its breathtaking landscapes, this valley blooms with a variety of wildflowers, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and trekkers.
During the monsoon season, the valley is carpeted with blooming flowers such as lilies, rhododendrons, and several rare species of orchids. The valley’s lush greenery and vibrant flowers make it a mesmerizing sight.
While the valley is best known for its floral beauty, it is also home to wildlife such as the Asiatic black bear, leopards, and hill foxes. Several species of butterflies can also be spotted fluttering among the flowers.
Best Time to Visit: June to September. This is when the valley is in full bloom, and visitors can enjoy the vibrant display of flowers.
7. Nokrek National Park, Meghalaya: A Red Panda Habitat
Nokrek National Park is located in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya and is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The park is known for its population of red pandas and rich biodiversity, including a wide variety of flora.
The park’s dense tropical and subtropical forests are home to numerous medicinal plants, wild citrus species, and orchids. The area is also known for its rich variety of bamboo and palm trees.
Nokrek is famous for its red pandas, which thrive in the park’s lush forests. Other notable wildlife includes the western hoolock gibbon, clouded leopard, and Asian elephant. Birdwatchers can spot species like hornbills, magpies, and parakeets.
Best Time to Visit: October to April. These months offer pleasant weather and a greater chance of spotting wildlife, especially the elusive red panda.
8. Balpakram National Park, Meghalaya: The Grand Canyon of India
Balpakram National Park, also located in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya, is often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of India.” The park is renowned for its stunning landscapes and its rich flora and fauna, including several rare species of plants.
Balpakram is home to a wide variety of medicinal plants, some of which are considered sacred by the local tribes. The park also features dense subtropical forests, grasslands, and bamboo groves.
The park is a haven for wildlife, including the clouded leopard, marbled cat, golden cat, and barking deer. The park is also home to several species of bats, many of which are rare or endangered.
Best Time to Visit: October to April. The weather is ideal for trekking and wildlife spotting during these months.