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Context :

Recently, A camera trap has captured a Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) inside Dehing Patkai National Park in Assam . It is  a rare species classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

About Dehing Patkai National Park

• Location: it is situated in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam.
• Geographical Features:
  • Located in the Dehing Patkai Landscape.
  • It is Positioned at the foothills of the Patkai Hill Ranges, on the banks of the River Dehing (a tributary of the Brahmaputra).
  • It is Adjacent to the Namdapha Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Nickname: it is also Known as the ‘Amazon of the East’ due to its vastness and dense forest.
• Area: The park covers an area of 65 sq.km of tropical lowland rainforests.
• History:
  • Declared a Wildlife Sanctuary on 13th June 2004.
  • Upgraded to a National Park by the Government of Assam on 13th December 2020.
• Climate:
  • The region experiences a tropical climate with an annual rainfall of more than 4,000 mm.

Cultural Significance

• The park is home to more than a dozen ethnic groups, including both indigenous Assamese communities and other groups:
  • Indigenous Groups: Tai Phake, Khamyang, Khampti, Singpho, Nocte, Ahom, Kaibarta, Moran, and Motok.
  • Other Groups: Burmese and non-indigenous Nepali

Flora and Vegetation

• The park is primarily a deciduous rainforest with a mix of semi-evergreen and lush green vegetation.
• Dominant Flora:
  • Hollong (Dipterocarpus macrocarpus)
  • Nahor (Mesua ferrea)
  • Mekai
  • Paroli
  • Simul
  • Various orchids, ferns, cane, and bamboo

Fauna and Biodiversity

• Mammals:
  • Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) – Vulnerable (IUCN Red List)
  • Slow Lorises
  • Pig-tailed Macaque
  • Stump-tailed Macaque
  • Capped Langur
  • Indian Leopard
  • Asian Elephant
  • Royal Bengal Tiger
  • Gaur (Indian Bison)
  • Himalayan Black Bear
  • Barking Deer
  • Chinese Pangolin

Dehing Patkai National Park remains one of the most ecologically rich and culturally significant protected areas in India, housing unique wildlife and an incredibly diverse ecosystem.

Source: Northeasttoday