Meghalaya National Parks


The Meghalaya National Parks are famous for their variety in flora and fauna. These National Parks in Meghalaya not only provide an opportunity of discovering the wilderness of the nature, but is also noted for the panoramic view of the picturesque hills that they offer. Meghalaya is a store house of natural wonders. Blessed with magnificent natural beauties, majestic fog covered mountains with gigantic peaks and valleys with a superb collection of floras and faunas, the north eastern state Meghalaya is a perfect tourist destination.

Meghalaya is rich in wildlife. The National Parks at Meghalaya are the preserved haven for some of the most exotic animals like elephants, tigers, leopards, jungle cats, golden cats, bears, hoolocks, different types of monkeys, wild-boars and capped-langurs. Thousands of rare and beautiful birds enhance the appeal of the forests.

Dense forests along with an enormous collection of valuable floras is a specialty of the Meghalayan sanctuaries and National Parks which evoke all the eminent naturalists, zoologists and botanists of different states to show their interest in the Meghalayan collections. Many important medical trees have also been found in the National Parks of Meghalaya.

Stretching over an area of 200 sq. kms, Balpakram National Park and the The Nokrek National Park are the two major National Parks of Meghalaya. Variety of natural vegetation of these forests make them great habitats for many an exotic animal. The scenic beauty of these parks are equally mesmerizing.

Balpakram National Park

Balpakram National Park was established in the year 1987 after the whole Balpakram district was declared as the National Park. Balpakram National Park of Meghalaya is one of the favorite national parks among adventure enthusiasts who like to explore the wild life and flora of various regions. The national park comprises of various species of flora and fauna.

Balpakram National Park at Meghalaya is spread over an area of 220 square kilometers at a height of 3000 feet and comprises of the whole Balpakram hills and its adjoining areas in the South Garo Hills District. Balpakram National Park in Meghalaya is approachable only through roads. You can take up any local transport from Baghmara to reach the wildlife park. The nearest railway station is Guwahati railway station.

The main attractions at Meghalaya Balpakram National Park are butterflies, wild bison, wild cow and elephants, etc. The national park also hosts a wide range of wild life species which are diminishing in numbers and are facing the danger of getting extinct. So if you like to explore the wildlife, Balpakram National Park is the perfect venue in the north eastern region.

Apart from wildlife, Balpakram National Park is also renowned for various herbs and shrubs which are used for making medicines as they have got various medicinal values in them. The wide range of flora and fauna of Balpakram National Park attracts several zoologist, naturalists and botanists to this wildlife park. The best time to visit Balpakram National Park is anytime in between April to June when the park glows with the beauty of various flora which are at full boom during that time. During this season you can also check out the various species of colorful butterflies.

Nokrek National Park

Nokrek National Park is also known as Nokrek Biosphere Reserve. The most distinguishing feature about Nokrek National Park of Meghalaya is that it is one of its kind biosphere reserve in the whole north eastern region of India. The national park is one of the most secluded jungles in the sub-Himalayan terrain.

Nokrek National Park at Meghalaya is situated in the district of Garo Hills and is only 2 kilometers away from Tura Peak. The place is accessible by road, so you can take any local transport from Williamnagar which is only 15 kilometers away from Nokrek National Park. The nearest railway station is Guwahati Railway Station.

Nokrek National Park in Meghalaya supports large number of species of various reptiles, invertebrate animal, mammals and avi-fauna such as Clouded Leopard, Golden Cat, Wild Buffalo, Serow, Capped Langur, Fishing-Cat, Pangolin, Green Pigeon, etc. The national park also comprises of various animals who are found very rarely or whose species are facing the danger of getting extinct.

Nokrek National Park is completely hilly. The rock composition of Nokrek National Park comprises of granulites, amphibolites, gneisses, migmatites and banded iron irrupted by ultra basic bodies. The soil at Nokrek National Park in Meghalaya varies from sandy, clayey and red loam. Mainly the soil comprises of organic matter and nitrogen but it lacks phosphate and potash. The area of Nokrek National Park is full of sedimentary rocks such as shales, pebbles and sand stones.

You can visit Meghalaya Nokrek National Park during any time of the year. Another advantage of visiting this national park is that you can also check out the very famous Siju Caves made up of limestone. What more, you also get a chance to visit Nophak Lake and Simsang river Game Reserve which are situated nearby.

Siju Bird Sanctuary

Siju Bird Sanctuary is one of the finest parks for birds in the north eastern region. Located in the hilly regions, Siju Bird Sanctuary of Meghalaya is a perfect destination for people who like watching birds of different species. The sanctuary has been made so that the birds do not feel caged and are not disturbed by any human. The entry of the Siju Bird Sanctuary is beautifully decorated by rock formations.

Siju Bird Sanctuary in Meghalaya lies under the district of South Garo Hills near the Siju caves on the opposite side of Simsang river. The nearest city to Siju Bird Sanctuary is Baghmara. The Bird sanctuary is approachable through roads as the nearest railway station and airport are in Guwahati. You can get down there and catch a bus for Shillong from where you can take up another bus to reach Siju Bird Sanctuary.

The Meghalaya Siju Bird Sanctuary is a favorite destination for children. The sanctuary apart from the common birds, also is a home to many unique as well as those birds which are facing the danger of getting extinct. Such birds are taken more care of because their death would mark the end of those particular species.

Though you can visit Siju Bird Sanctuary at Meghalaya during anytime of the year, the best time to visit it would be winters when you can find a lot of foreign birds migrating to the sanctuary to escape the cool or hot weather of their respective native land. If you are planning to visit Siju Bird Sanctuary in winter, then do look out for Siberian duck who lands here. Other tourist attractions near Siju Bird Sanctuary is the Siju caves which are made up of limestones. You can also visit Nokrek National Park, Simsang River Game Reserve and Nophak lake.

Nongkhyllem Sanctuary

Nongkhyllem Sanctuary is one of the very renowned wildlife sanctuaries in the north east. Nongkhyllem Sanctuary of Meghalaya is spread over an area of 29 sq. kms. and thereby houses a large number of animals including reptiles, mammals, avian, rodents, etc. The sanctuary still retains the natural look of the forest.

Nongkhyllem Sanctuary of Meghalaya is situated in the Ri-Bhoi district near Lailad village. The sanctuary is accessible through road. You can take up the Guwahati Shillong National Highway number 40 and get down at Umling and then along Umling Patharkhmah road take another bus or cab to Lailad village.

Nongkhyllem Sanctuary in Meghalaya is one of its kind as it hosts a wide range of flora and fauna. The sanctuary supports various species of fauna including those facing the danger of extinction. They include Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Bison, Himalayan Blcak Bear, Clouded Leopard, etc. Among the birds, the rare species that are found here and are facing the danger of getting extinct are Brown Hornbill, Manipur Bush Quail, Rufous Necked Hornbill, etc.

Nongkhyllem Sanctuary at Meghalaya extends you the opportunity to explore the wildlife of the north eastern region. Moreover, you also get to see some exclusive flora and fauna which are not the original inhabitants of India but were brought from foreign lands. Other attractions near Meghalaya Nongkhyllem Sanctuary is the Nongpoh and Baghmara town. The best time to visit this sanctuary would be during winter and spring when the flora is in full boom and the sanctuary also witnesses the presence of foreign birds.

Last Updated on 15/06/2013

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