Dihing Patkai National Park

Why in News?

A male tiger was recently camera-trapped in Assam’s Dihing Patkai National Park, highlighting the park’s rich biodiversity.

About Dihing Patkai National Park

Location: The park is located in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam. It lies at the foothills of the Patkai Hill Ranges, along the banks of the Dehing River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra. It is also adjacent to Namdapha Wildlife Sanctuary.

Landscape: The park forms part of the Dehing Patkai Landscape, which is characterised by dipterocarp-dominated lowland rainforests. It is famous for containing one of India’s largest stretches of tropical lowland rainforest.

Historical Background: Dihing Patkai was declared a wildlife sanctuary on 13 June 2004. The Government of Assam upgraded it to a national park on 13 December 2020.

Vegetation and Flora

The park contains deciduous and semi-evergreen rainforest vegetation, along with lush green flora.

Important plant species include Hollong, Nahor, Mekai, Paroli and Simul. The park also supports a variety of orchids, ferns, cane and bamboo.

Fauna

Dihing Patkai National Park supports rich wildlife diversity. Important species found in the park include the Slow Loris, Pig-tailed Macaque, Stump-tailed Macaque, Capped Langur, Indian Leopard, Asian Elephant and Royal Bengal Tiger.

Tribal and Local Communities

The region is home to several indigenous communities, including the Tai Phake, Khamyang, Khampti, Singpho, Nocte, Ahom, Kaibarta, Moran and Motok communities. The source also mentions Burmese and non-indigenous Nepali populations.