Kamlang Tiger Reserve UPSC

Kamlang Tiger Reserve is a protected area located in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. The reserve is named after the Kamlang River, which flows through it.

The terrain of Kamlang Tiger Reserve is characterized by dense forests, hills, and valleys, making it a suitable habitat for wildlife. The reserve is located in the Eastern Himalayas, and its elevation ranges from 200 meters (656 feet) to 4,572 meters (15,000 feet) above sea level.

The primary objective of Kamlang Tiger Reserve is the conservation and protection of the Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), which is an endangered species.

Table of Contents

Location
History
Area
Hills
River
Lake
Tribe
Flora
Fauna

Mammals
Birds
Reptile

UPSC Questions

Kamlang Tiger Reserve Location

Kamlang Tiger Reserve is located in the south-eastern part of the Lohit District of Arunachal Pradesh in India. It is surrounded by the Kamlang River on the Northern side and Namdapha National Park on the Southern side.

Nearest Airport:

The nearest airport to Kamlang Tiger Reserve is the Dibrugarh Airport (also known as Mohanbari Airport), which is located in Dibrugarh, Assam. The airport is approximately 180 kilometers (112 miles) away from the reserve.

Nearest Railway Station:

Regarding the nearest railway station, the Tinsukia Junction Railway Station is the closest one to Kamlang Tiger Reserve. It is located in Tinsukia, Assam, at a distance of approximately 170 kilometers (106 miles) from the reserve.

Kamlang Tiger Reserve History

Kamlang Tiger Reserve has a relatively short history, as it was established as a protected area relatively recently. Here is a brief overview of its history:

1. Wildlife Sanctuary: In 1989, Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary was established as a protected area. It served as a sanctuary for various wildlife species, including the Bengal tiger.

2. Tiger Reserve Status: In 2016, Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a tiger reserve under Project Tiger, a conservation program in India aimed at protecting the Bengal tiger and its habitat. With this declaration, it became Kamlang Tiger Reserve, officially recognized as the 50th tiger reserve in India.

Kamlang Tiger Reserve Area

Kamlang Tiger Reserve covers an approximate area of 783 square kilometers (302 square miles). This area encompasses the protected forest and wildlife habitat within the reserve's boundaries. The reserve area consists of dense forests, hills and valleys.

Kamlang Tiger Reserve Hills

Kamlang Tiger Reserve is located in the Eastern Himalayas, which is characterized by its hilly terrain. The reserve itself is surrounded by hills and is home to numerous hill ranges that contribute to the diverse landscape and ecosystem of the area.

Kamlang Tiger Reserve River

Kamlang Tiger Reserve is traversed by the Kamlang River, which flows through the reserve. The river holds significant importance in the ecosystem of the reserve as it provides water for wildlife and supports a diverse range of aquatic species.

The Kamlang River originates from the Mishmi Hills in Arunachal Pradesh and passes through various parts of the reserve. It adds to the natural beauty of the area with its clear waters and is surrounded by lush green vegetation along its banks.

Kamlang Tiger Reserve Lake

The Kamlang Tiger Reserve has a number of elevated water bodies, including Glow Lake.

Glow Lake:

Glow Lake is one of the elevated water bodies located within Kamlang Tiger Reserve. It covers an area of approximately 8 square kilometers. The lake is situated amidst the hills and forests of the reserve, adding to the scenic beauty of the region.

Kamlang Tiger Reserve Tribe

The Kamlang Tiger Reserve is surrounded by the traditional lands of various tribal communities in the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. The Mishmi, Digaro Mishmi, and Miju Mishmi are some of the tribal communities that reside in the vicinity of the reserve.

Kamlang Tiger Reserve Flora

The flora of Kamlang Tiger Reserve is incredibly diverse due to its location in the Eastern Himalayas. The reserve is home to a wide variety of plant species, including the following:

(1) Tropical Evergreen Forests:

The lower elevations of the reserve are covered by tropical evergreen forests. These forests feature a dense canopy of tall trees, with species such as Dipterocarpus, Terminalia, Syzygium, Mesua, and Canarium. They also support a variety of climbers, epiphytes, and understory plants.

(2) Subtropical Broadleaf Forests:

As the elevation increases, the vegetation transitions to subtropical broadleaf forests. These forests consist of species such as Castanopsis, Altingia, Michelia, Engelhardtia, Lithocarpus, and Rhododendron.

(3) Alpine Vegetation:

At higher elevations, the reserve is characterized by alpine vegetation. This includes dwarf shrubs, grasses, mosses, lichens, and various alpine flowering plants adapted to the cold and harsh climate.

(4) Bamboo Groves:

Bamboo is abundant in the Kamlang Tiger Reserve, particularly in the foothills and lower elevations. Species like Melocanna baccifera and Dendrocalamus hamiltonii are commonly found.

(5) Medicinal Plants:

The reserve also houses a variety of medicinal plants that are used by the local communities for traditional healthcare practices. These include species like Aconitum heterophyllum, Datura metel, Picrorhiza kurroa, and Swertia chirata, among others.

Kamlang Tiger Reserve Fauna (Kamlang Tiger Reserve Animals)

Kamlang Tiger Reserve is home to a rich and diverse array of wildlife species. The reserve's varied habitats, including forests, hills, and rivers, provide suitable conditions for a wide range of fauna.

Here are some of the notable animal species found in Kamlang Tiger Reserve:

Mammals:

Royal Bengal Tiger
Common Leopard
Clouded Leopard
Marbled Cat
Leopard Cat
Snow Leopard
Asian Elephant
Wild Boar
Sambar
Barking Deer
Black Giant Squirrel
Golden Cat
Malayan Sun Bear
Slow Loris
Stump-tailed Macaque
Pig-tailed Macaque
Assamese Macaque
Rhesus Macaque
Capped Langur
Hoolock Gibbon
Leaf Muntjac
Takin

Birds:

White-bellied Heron (Critically Endangered)
Great Hornbill
Rufous-necked Hornbill
Beautiful Nuthatch
Slenderbilled Vulture
White-bellied Heron
Greater Spotted Eagle
Blyth’s Tragopan
Snowy-throated Babbler
Beautiful Nuthatch
Ward’s Trogon
Blackish breasted Babbler
Rusty-bellied Shortwing

Reptiles:

King Cobra
Assam Roofed Turtle
Indian Rock Python
Reticulated Python
Monitor Lizards