Dehing Patkai National Park UPSC

Dehing Patkai National Park, also known as the Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary, is a protected area located in the state of Assam, India. The Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary is also known as the Jeypore Rainforest.

Dehing is the name of the river that flows through this park and Patkai is the hill at the foot of which the national park lies. It is part of the larger Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve, which encompasses both forested areas and grasslands.

The Dehing Patkai National Park is characterized by its evergreen rainforests, which are among the last remaining lowland rainforests in India.

Table of Contents

Location
History
Area
Hills
River
Tribe
Flora
Fauna
UPSC Questions

Dehing Patkai National Park Location

Dehing Patkai National Park is located in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam, India. The national park is situated in the eastern part of Assam, near the border with Arunachal Pradesh.

It is located within the larger Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve, which spreads across the coal- and oil-rich districts of Upper Assam (Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts). The oldest refinery of Asia in Digboi and ‘open cast’ coal mining at Lido are located near the sanctuary.

Nearest Airport:

Dibrugarh Airport is the nearest airport, at a distance of approx. 103km from Dehing Patkai National Park.

Nearest Railway Station:

Nearest railway station is Naharkatia which is around 8 km from the park.

Dehing Patkai National Park History

The history of Dehing Patkai National Park is closely linked to the region's natural and cultural heritage. Here is a brief overview:

1. Early Human Habitation: The region surrounding Dehing Patkai National Park has a long history of human habitation. Indigenous communities, such as the Tai Phake, Khamti, and Singpho tribes, have been residing in this area for generations, maintaining a close relationship with the surrounding forests and wildlife.

2. Protected Forest Area: The area that encompasses Dehing Patkai National Park was initially designated as a Reserved Forest in 1924 under the British Raj. It was aimed at conserving the region's natural resources, including its diverse flora and fauna.

3. Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary: In 2004, the area was officially declared the Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary, recognizing its ecological significance and the need for conservation.

4. Established as a National Park: On 13 December 2020 Government of Assam upgraded it into a national park. On 9 June 2021 Forest Department of Assam officially notified it as a national park.

Dehing Patkai National Park Area

Dehing Patkai National Park covers an area of approximately 231.65 km2 (89.44 sq mi).

The park area is characterized by its evergreen rainforests, which are among the last remaining lowland rainforests in India.

Dehing Patkai National Park is a part of the 937 sq. km Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve that includes the British-era coal mines and oil refinery town Digboi.

Dehing Patkai National Park Hills

Dehing Patkai National Park is situated in the Patkai hills region, which is a mountain range that extends across parts of Assam, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast India and Upper Burma region of Myanmar.

The Patkai hills, also referred to as the Purvanchal range, are part of the larger Indo-Myanmar biodiversity hotspot and are known for their rich biodiversity and scenic landscapes. While the park itself is predominantly comprised of lowland rainforests, the surrounding region features rolling hills and valleys that contribute to the overall topography of the area.

Dehing Patkai National Park River

Dehing river flows through Dehing Patkai National Park. It flows through the southern part of the Dehing Patkai National Park. It is an important waterway that nourishes the surrounding forests and supports the diverse flora and fauna in the area.

The river originates in the Eastern Himalayas (the Patkai Hills) in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Dehing River is a tributary of the Brahmaputra River.
It is about 380 kilometres long.
It flows through Tinsukia and Dibrugarh Districts in Assam to its confluence with the Brahmaputra at Dihingmukh.
Its watershed covers about 6,000 square kilometres.
The Dehing has created number of oxbow lakes in the area.

Dehing Patkai National Park Tribe

Dehing Patkai National Park is home to several indigenous communities or tribes who have been living in the region for generations.

There are more than a dozen different ethnic groups living in the Dehing Patkai Forest region including the indigenous Assamese communities, particularly Tai Phake, Khamyang, Khampti, Singpho, Nocte, Chutia, Ahom, Kaibarta, Moran , Motok, Burmese, and Nepali people. Tea-tribes were brought by the British to work in the tea plantations.

(1) Tai Phake:

The Tai Phake community is one of the major indigenous tribes residing in the vicinity of Dehing Patkai National Park. They have a distinct culture and language and have traditionally practiced agriculture and weaving. The Tai Phake people have a deep connection with the natural environment and are known for their traditional knowledge of the forest.

(2) Khamti:

The Khamti tribe is another indigenous community found in the area surrounding the national park. They originally migrated from Myanmar (formerly Burma) and settled in parts of Assam. The Khamti people have their unique language, customs, and cultural practices. They are known for their expertise in silk weaving and traditional craftsmanship.

(3) Singpho:

The Singpho tribe is also present in the region near Dehing Patkai National Park. The Singpho people have a distinct cultural identity and have traditionally been involved in agriculture, tea cultivation, and handicrafts. They have their own language and follow their indigenous religious practices.

Dehing Patkai National Park Flora

Dehing Patkai National Park, with its rich and diverse ecosystems, is home to a wide variety of flora. The park's evergreen rainforests and the surrounding areas harbor an abundance of plant species.

Dehing Patkai National Park harbours the largest stretch of lowland rainforests in India. It is believed to be the last remaining contiguous patch of lowland rainforest area in Assam.

Some of the notable flora found in Dehing Patkai National Park include:

(1) Dipterocarp Trees:

The park is known for its dipterocarp trees, which are dominant in the lowland rainforest ecosystem. These tall and majestic trees are characteristic of the region and play a vital role in providing habitat for various wildlife species.

(2) Canopy Trees:

The park's rainforests feature a dense canopy formed by a variety of tree species. Trees like Hollong (Dipterocarpus macrocarpus), Sam (Artocarpus chaplasha), Nahor (Mesua ferrea), and Simul (Bombax ceiba) are commonly found in the park, contributing to the overall canopy cover.

(3) Orchids:

Dehing Patkai National Park is renowned for its orchid diversity. Numerous species of orchids, including terrestrial and epiphytic varieties, can be found in the park. Orchids such as the Lady's Slipper Orchid (Paphiopedilum sp.) and the Vanda spathulata are among the many orchid species present.

(4) Ferns and Mosses:

The park's moist and shaded environment provides a favorable habitat for various ferns and mosses. Ferns like Adiantum spp., Dryopteris spp., and Pteris spp., as well as mosses, liverworts, and lichens, contribute to the understory vegetation.

(5) Medicinal Plants:

The forests of Dehing Patkai National Park also host several medicinal plants. Species like Rauvolfia serpentina (Indian Snakeroot), Acorus calamus (Sweet Flag), and Curcuma aromatica (Wild Turmeric) are known for their medicinal properties and are of cultural and economic importance.

Dehing Patkai National Park Fauna (Dehing Patkai National Park Animals)

Dehing Patkai National Park, with its diverse habitats and rich rainforest ecosystem, supports a wide range of fauna. The park is home to numerous species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Here are some notable fauna found in Dehing Patkai National Park:

Mammals:

Bengal Tiger
Leopard
Clouded Leopard
Asian Elephant
Hoolock Gibbon
Chinese Pangolin
Dhole or Asian Wild Dog
Himalayan Black Bear
Malayan Sun Bear
Slow Loris
Assamese Macaque
Stump-tailed Macaque
Pig-tailed Macaque
Rhesus Monkey
Capped Langur
Crab-eating Mongoose
Small-toothed Palm Civet
Binturong
Jungle Cat
Leopard Cat
Asian Golden Cat
Marbled Cat
Gaur
Red Giant Flying Squirrel
Crestless Himalayan Porcupine
Asiatic Bush-tailed Porcupine
Chinese Pangolin
Flying Fox
Wild Pig
Sambar
Barking Deer
Malayan Giant Squirrels

Note- It is the only sanctuary in India which is home to seven different species of wild cats - tiger, leopard, clouded leopard, leopard cat, golden cat, jungle cat and marbled cat.

Birds:

White Winged Wood Duck
White-cheeked Hill Partridge
Kaleej Pheasant
Grey Peacock Pheasant
Oriental Darter
Lesser Adjutant
Pied Falconet
Slender-billed Vulture
White-backed Vulture
Greater Spotted Eagle
Besra
Black Baza
Osprey
Pale-capped Pigeon
Green Imperial Pigeon
Mountain Imperial Pigeon
Red-breasted Parakeet
Oriental Bay Owl
Tawny Fish Owl
Great Pied Hornbill
Brown Hornbill
Wreathed Hornbill
Yellow-vented Warbler
Hill Myna
Scaly Thrush

Reptiles:

King Cobra
Monocled Cobra
Reticulated Python
Green Pit Viper
Indian Rock Python