The 6 Best Nature & Parks in Changlang District, Arunachal Pradesh

Reviewed By manisankarbpl - Kolkata (Calcutta), India

The month was October 19. Three of us one a physician, the second a surgeon and the third an anesthesiologist decided to visit a long desired trekking expedition to Namdapha National Park. But due to some law and order issues the trip was shelved. Again in January 20 as the situation improved we decided to venture into the wilderness. Reaching Dibrugarh by flight and then to Miao in Arunachal Pradesh. Miao is the entry to Namdapha National Park. After a quick lunch at The Miao Jungle Camp courtesy Shri Phupla Shingpo we proceeded to Deban and put up at the Inspection Bungalow Deban. A very beautiful site by the Noa Dihing river. The place is surrounded by lush green rain forest. The Place derives it's name from Nam means water and dapha means origin (river originates from the Dapha Bum glacier). The next day was spent birding around Deban. There are many species of birds like the green magpie, restarts stonechats, bushchats, broadbills, parrotbills, sultan tit, hornbills (wreathed, large, brown, and rufous necked), forktails, wagtails, yuhina, togans, bulbuls of different varieties. The 3rd day we started our jungle trek after an early breakfast and crossed the Noa Dihing river. Our trek took us through dense forest with howling of the Hullock Gibbons in the background. We had a simple lunch of fried rice at Haldibari camp and then trudged on to Hornbill camp . We used the trek to birding having visualised many birds capturing photographs. We put up tent for the night at Hornbill camp . It was an exhilarating experience. Next day we woke up early in anticipation of seeing the birds and we were awarded to our fullest. There was the large niltava, Asian fairy bird, red headed trogon, different types of thrushes, woodpeckers. After a quick breakfast we started on a 13km trek for Ranijheel enroute bulbuliya. It was a tough downhill trek challenging every muscle and sinews. We were awarded with views of the different species of hornbills, After a 13 km trek we reached Farm base. The next day we set out for Ebong over the bolder filled river bed of the Namdapha river. It was a 6-7 km trek but walking over the bolders was challenging. We saw the black storck, Greater comourants, the writhed hornbills flying high, the rock thrush, pied and fulvous breasted and little kingfisher. At Ebong we set up tent on the river bed. We had a bath in the river in the open. It was very exhilarating and relaxing. We had some birding time as the sun was still up. A flock of writhed hornbills settled on a tree top and gave us ample time to photograph. After a simple dinner we creeped into our sleeping bags Next morning was important as we were in the lookout for the critically endangered white bellied heron.... And thanks to our guide we had the fortune to sight one and also a one to one duel with a fish eagle. After breakfast we had a long way to Baloksht . It was a tough strenuous trek over 17 river bridges, bolders to Baloksht. We were lucky enough to sight the Gossander ducks which are supposed to nest somewhere nearby. From Baloksht the trek to Deban was the last leg of the trek It demanded every ounce of our energy. On the way it started to rain. In these parts a rain can lead to flooding of the rivers and wash away the bridges which are rickety bamboos held together by bamboo ropes. The climb up the hill from the river bed was formidable and treacherous and we climbed up slipping and falling trying to save the camera gear. At last we reached Deban on the day 6. After lunch we proceeded to the Jungle Camp Miao had a good bath and shave and fresh clothes. We stayed overnight had a sumptuous dinner courtesy Mr Phupla Singpho. The next day back to kolkata after a brief birding session near Deban river. It was an exhilarating experience worth repeating.