Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary Arunachal Pradesh

Owing its name to Mehao Lake, located within the reserve, Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most popular wildlife places in Arunachal Pradesh. The sanctuary was established in 1980 and is home to many species of wild animals including the Bengal tiger, hoolock gibbon, leopard and clouded leopard.The best way to explore the vicinity of the Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary will be undertaking a 12-km long trek that will take approximately 4-7 hours. Idu Mishmi Tribe (belonging to Tibeto-Burmese region), and Adi Tribe are the major tribes that dominate the areas. Also, here one can find good Nepali population. They are the one who are responsible for maintaining all the orchards in the region.

A paradise for the wildlife and nature lovers, Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Lower Dibang Valley, a district of Arunachal Pradesh. It was in 1980, the region was declared as the wildlife sanctuary, and home to many species of wild animals including the Bengal tiger, hoolock gibbon, leopard and clouded leopard. In 2014, hoolock gibbons, the sole ape species in India, were translocated to Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary. Apart from the mammals, the rich and diverse fauna of the Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary is inclusive of two hundred species of birds, thirteen snake species, 232 species of butterfly, and six fish species.Apart from trekking, there's no other way to witness the beauty of the park. Also during the trekking tour, you can meet and greet Idu Mishmi Tribe, and Adi Tribe.

Major flora and fauna spotted in the Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary are:

Flora:

Terminalia myriocarpa, Altingia excelsa, several Albizzia species, Duabanga grandiflora, Dillenia indica, Mesua ferrea, Phyllostachys bambusoides, Dendrocalamus giganteus and Bambusa pallida. At the highest point of the sanctuary, one can spot medicinal plants like Mishmi Teeta (Coptis teeta).

Fauna:

The Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary is home to around sixty species of mammals and several other animal species. Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata), wild dog (Cuon alpinus), spotted linsang (Prionodon pardicolor), Himalayan Black Bear (Selenarctos thibetanus) and Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) are some of the prominent species found in the national park. During the winter season, snow leopard (Uncia uncia) also appear. Not to forget are bird species like Purple Woodpigeon (Columba punicea), Rufous-necked Hornbill (Aceros nipalensis), Blyth's Tragopan (Tragopan blythii) and the rare and enigmatic Wedge-billed Wren-babbler (Sphenocichla humei).