Our journey to a wild and relatively unexplored National Park in India, Namdapha National Park, started early in the morning. There was a well maintained road from Digboi in Assam to Jagun Check Gate in Arunachal Pradesh. But the road thereafter was horrible. Miao, a small town in Changlang district and our entry point to Namdapha National Park was only 40 Km from Jagun check gate but it took us around 2½ hours to reach there. It was a difficult journey mostly on the rocky surface to Miao. Our accommodation in Namdapha National Park and the tourist permits were made in advance through Mr. A.K. Das, an officer in the Office of the Field Director, Namdapha National Park at Miao in Arunachal Pradesh. So, we stopped at Miao to collect the permits and after a short halt we resumed the journey on a jungle road to Deban where our accommodation was booked in Forest Rest House. Deban was further 26 Kms from Miao which connects with Miao by a muddy jungle road.
Entry Gate to Namdapha National Park
We entered to a zone where no mobile network was available. In the jungles, we were cut off from rest of the world. Oh, it’s not only that, we were cut off from electricity too! Yet we were so engaged with the nature that we hardly felt their absence.
That’s the road to Deban Forest Rest House
Forest Rest House at Deban
It was mid-noon when we made it to Deban. Here, the caretaker of the rest house cooks and provides foods to the visitors against a nominal charge. He told us that our lunch would be ready within an hour. So, we decided to explore the nearby areas. Down to the hill where the rest house locates, flows the river Now-Dihing or Noa-Dihing. We went down to the river bed, walked along the river, crossed the bamboo bridge and took lots of pictures. There was nothing more to do and coming back for the lunch was the only option.
Noa-Dihing or Now-Dihing River at Namdapha National Park
On a Bamboo Bridge over river Noa-Dihing at Namdapha National Park
Our group photo at Noa-Dihing River side- Namdapha National Park
Namdapha National park is one of a few where no safaris are available and the only means to explore it is on foot. Next morning, we awoke early with a hope to spot varieties of butterflies, birds and Gibbons. Yes, it was much satisfying as we saw Indian great pied hornbill, Writhed hornbill, Trogon, Slaty back forktail, red start bird, gray-backed shrike and Hollock Gibbon.
Photo Galleries of Namdapha National Park
Butterfly
Butterfly
Butterfly
Hollock Gibbon
Indian Great Pied Hornbill
Indian Great Pied Hornbill
Trogon Bird
Writhed hornbill
Red Start Bird
Slaty back forktail
Gray-backed shrike
You know the name of it :-)
Entry Permits, Tourist Permits and Booking of Forest Rest House : To enter Arunachal Pradesh one needs to obtain inner line permits from the Office of the Resident commissioner, Arunachal Pradesh in Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati or Dibrugarh. The Tourist Permits are issued by The Field Director, Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Miao-792122, Changlang District, Arunachal Pradesh. We took the help of Mr. A.K. Das Office of the field Director, Namdapha National Park, Miao. He is available at +91-94366-32806. Mr. Das is a very helpful officer. He responds well in telephone and also does everything to get in advance tourist permits and booking of Forest Rest House at Deban. He responds too by email which is fdnamdapha@gmail.com
What expect to see at Namdapha National Park? If you like jungles and wish to spend some moments or days in solitude and serenity, it is one of the best places. You may perhaps see all those I mentioned and sighting any wild animal would be a surprise gift.
So this time Anupam Da is in nature’s lap…by the way all the pics are amazing and post is also very good…good job Dada!
Best wishes for your upcoming journeys.
Thank you Arun
Anupam,
Simply fabulous. Nice reporting and plenty of lively photos graced the travelogue. Reminded my journey to the place during mid ’90s. My best wishes towards your making more such trips.
Santanu
Thank you Santanu. Glad that you liked it.
Anupam,
The place seems to be a hidden treasure… Enjoyed reading your travelogue…
Yes, it is Minakshi. Glad that you liked it. Thank you for dropping by :-)
What a lot of nice bird pictures you have given us ! Thanks Anupam.I was intrigued by your comment that you were cut off from electricity too but did not notice its absence because of your involvement with nature. That sounds great.I have heard of a place near Salem ( Tamil Nadu ) where the denizens have opted to live without electricity , to be close to nature . Panchavatti, is , I believe the name of the farm community and its in Karumandrai, close to Salem. Like to check out the place but am still wondering how its possible to do without one’s electricity powered creature comforts….
Thank you very much Sugita
Eye-catchy pictures, beautiful log and a great place to virtually tour for us! Thank you Anupam for the log!
The national park looks unrealistically beautiful and serene. Am sure you have no regrets for the cut off from the modern inevitable comforts like the cell phone and electricity. I think electricity would make it a different experience, but anyways, what you have seen and felt is surely an experience second to none!
Looking forward to more from you!
Best.
Thank you for your kind words, Archana :-)
Very nice article on Namdapha National Park its very beautiful park and full of natural beauty.
Thank you Saniya :-)
Wow. What pics. I looked it up on Maps, and its pretty close to the Indo-China border. May be that is the reason, some of the names like Nao Dhi-ing seems to have some sino influence. 140 KMs from Dibrugarh, must be one of the remotest place (from distance) from Delhi.
May be if the road project (India – Burma – Thailand) project picks up, these place might become more accessible.
Thank you very much for sharing this with us. I saw a big hornbill recently at Dublin Zoo but seeing one in a natural habitat is simple awesome.
Look forward to hear back from you. Thanks again.
Dear Nandan,
The area saw no development in last decades when central Govt took little initiatives to include development of North East in their agenda. But some development work has already been taken place in last two years with the new Govt in the Centre. Like you, I too hope that these places will become more accessible and more infrastructural development will take place.
Anyways, Thank you for your appreciation :-)
Dear Anupam
Sorry for being late to the party. Really enjoyed the pictures and the experience that you shared.
Thanks
Beautiful post Anupam as usual . Again superb pictures :).. Just logged in after a long time and started checking your post…
Good views and picture whichever near natural so happy Thank if you given details where ,How we reach Nearest post you must write so good
it is unfortunate that the birds are heard but rarely seen and just forget about animals or tigers the forest is supposed to salter the experience now a days is horrible refer to this march 2018 tour to this wonder land. The charges are multiplied per day basis even for entry charges, vehicle charges and the room rent is multiple timed those mentioned on the internet/ social media. bad indeed. it seems the authority DOESNOT ENCOURAGE VISITORS !!!!
Exciting place, splendid images. In fact its good that there’s no mobile network or electricity as it gives you no option but to be a part of the surroundings. The dense green cover itself is enticing.
I served over 8 years (two tenures) in the Nagaland , Mizoram & Tripura but somehow missed visiting Namdapha National Park. It has all the thrills and the experiences of the roads & tracks less travelled. The pictures are breathtaking & the eerie silence inviting. I end with my favourite quote while my mind seems wholly taken up with reminiscences of my favourite Robert Frost’s this famous stanza:-
‘The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep’.
Very informative post. Can you pls suggest me, to viait there, where should I get any guide? Can you share car driver contact ? Waiting for your reply. I am planning to visit Namdhapa. A little help from your side will be highly appreciated.