Silent Valley (Wilderness) Tours

SIMILIPAL
Introduction

Situated in the District of Sonitpur, the Nameri is the third National Park of Assam. The Pakhui (Pakke) Sanctuary of Arunachal Pradesh adjoins the Park on its North-Eastern point. The area is criss-crossed by the river Jia- Bhoroli and its tributaries namely the Diji, Dinai, Doigurung, Nameri, Dikorai, Kharietc. A few jheels (during the rainy seasons) also dot the area. The Jia - Bhoroli river and the tributaries display devilish look when the incessant downpour in the upper reaches during the rainy season make it swell. The in-accessibility and continuity with neibouring forest areas has helped the wildlife of Nameri to flourish. There is a good prey -base in the form of -Sambar,Barking deer, Hog Deer, Wild Boar and gauri. About 3000 domestic cattle also form part of this prey base for Tiger and Leopards.
The inaccessibility and continuity with the neibouring forest areas have helped the wildlife of Nameri to flourish. There is a good prey base in the form of Sambar, Barking deer, Hog Deer, Wild Boar and Gaur. About 3000 domestic cattle also form part of this prey base for Tiger and Leopards.
Nameri and the adjoining forest areas, declared reserved for a considerable time, also qualify to be an Elephant Reserve. The Elephant population estimated in 1997 was 225.
Nameri and Sonai-Rupai are only Protected Areas in the North Bank of the Brahmaputra in the Civil District of Sonitpur, Lakhimpur and Dhemaji.

Legal Status
Reserved Forest declared on 17-10-1878
Nameri Sanctuary (137 sq. km.) on 18-09-1985
Provisional Notification of National Park (212 sq.km. ) on 27.02.97
Final Notification of National Park (200 sq. km.) on 09.09.1998 in Assam Gazette.

Area of the Tiger Reserve
Core Area- (Nameri National Park) = 200 sq. km
Part of Naduar Reserve Forests Tezpur Sub Division
upto Ghiladhari River = 80 sq. km
Buffer Area - Part of Balipara Reserve Forests Area in between
Jia-Bhoroli River and Rangapara - Bhalukpung
Railway line = 64 sq.m
Total Area = 344 sq. Km.

Forest Types and Composition
Assam Valley Tropical Evergreen Forests - IR/C 2b Mesua Sub type.
Assam Alluvial Plains semi Evergreen Forests- 2B/C I. A.
Phoebe- Anoora association
Sub Himalayan light Alluvial Semi- Evergreen Forests 2B/I.S.I
Mekahi Sub Type.

Eastern Alluvial Secondary Semi Evergreen Forests- 2B/2.S.
Cane Brakes- 2B/E.I.
Wet Bamboo Brakes 2B/K.2.
Northern Secondary Moist Mixed, Deciduous Forests - 3C/ 2.S.I.
Low Alluvial savanna Wood Land- 3/ I.S.I.
Eastern Hollock Forests -3/I.S.2b.
4.D/SSI Eastern Seasonal Swamp Forests.
Eastern Dillenia Swamp Forests- 4D / SS Dillenia Altingia Association.
Eastern wet Alluvial Grass land- 4.D / 2.5.2.

Habitat- Flora Fauna
The habitat of Nameri is made up of tropical evergreen, Semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests with cane and bamboo brakes and narrow strips of open grassland along rivers. Grassland comprise of less than 10% of the total area of the park while the semi-evergreen and moist deciduous species dominate the area. Some notable species are Gamari, Titachopa, Amari, Bogipoma, Ajar, Urium poma, Bhelou, Agaru, Rudraksha, Bonjolokia, Hatipolia akhakan, ahollock, Nahor, Siya Nahar, Simul, Bonsum etc. Orchoids include Dendrobium, Cymbidium, Ladies Sleeper etc. Tree Fern,Lianas, creepers are some of the specialties of this forests.
The most prized and most significant finding is the White Winged Wood Duck which has a flourishing population in Nameri confirmed officially in 1995. Till now 315 avian species have been recorded in the Park.

Few notable among them are:- (Mammals) More than 30 species: Tiger, Leopard, Black Panther, Clouded Leopard, Lesse Cats, Sloth Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Elephant, Indian Bison, Dhole, Sambar, Barking Deer, Dog Deer, Fox, Hispid Hare, Indian Hare, Capped Langur, Slow Loris, Assamese Macaque, Rhesus Macaque, Himalayan yellow Throated Martin, Malayan giant Squirrel, Flying Squirrel, Wild Pig etc.

(Bird)315 Sps.: White winged wood duck, Great Pied Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Rufous Necked Hornbill, Black Stork, Ibis Bill, Large Whistling Teal, Common Mergernser, King Vulture, Long Billed Ring Plover, Khallej Pheasant, Hill Myna , Pin tailed green Pigeon, Himalayan pied Kingfisher, Three Toed kingfisher, Fairly Blue Bird Etc.

Reptiles: King cobra, cobra, Pit Viper, Russels Viper, Banded Krait, Python, Rat Snake, Assam Roof Turtle, Malayan Box Turtle, Keeled Box turtle, Asian Leaf Turtle, Narrow Headed soft Shelled Turtle, Indian soft Shelled Turtle. Fishes Golden Mahseer, Shaort gilled Mahseer, Silghoria. Number of tiger as per latest count (2002 count): 26

Constrains
There are as many as 25 Reserved Forests in these three districts where departmental logging is allowed. Habital shrinkag due to encroachment has put immense pressure on tiger population to move and seeka safer place. Hence there are local reports that the tiger concentration in Nameri has increased in the past few years. As a result o tiger population, Nameri is in need of a better conservation and protection measures.

The number of revenue villages in the core area: Nil
The number of revenue villages in the core area: Nil
Area covered by the villages: Nil
Human Population : 1000 nos. of Taungya villagers. They are occupying 10 sq. km of periphery of Nameri National Park. It is under the Process of shifting them outside the National Park.
Cattle Population 3000 nos they are under the process of rehabilitation.
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