Biodiversity & Environment
Pakke Tiger Reserve
- 24 Feb 2020
- 3 min read
Why in News
The Government of Arunachal Pradesh is planning to build a 692.7 km highway through the 862 sq km Pakke Tiger Reserve (PTR) in East Kameng district, Arunachal pradesh.
- Named the East-West Industrial Corridor, the highway aims to connect Arunachal Pradesh with Assam. However, the project makes no mention of compensation for people likely to be displaced.
- It has been argued that corridor will also be a threat to the adjoining Nameri Tiger Reserve in Assam.
Pakke Tiger Reserve
- Pakke Tiger Reserve (declared in 1999 - 2000) lies in the foothills of the eastern Himalaya in the East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. It is also known as Pakhui Tiger Reserve.
- It falls within the Eastern Himalaya Biodiversity Hotspot.
- It is home to over 2000 species of plants, 300 species of birds, 40 species of mammals, 30 species of amphibians and 36 species of reptiles. Many species of the flora and fauna are globally threatened, and PTR is one of the last remaining strongholds left for these species.
- It is known for its amazing sightings of four resident hornbill species.
Hornbill in India
- India is home to nine species of hornbills. The northeastern region has the highest diversity of hornbill species within India. Five hornbill species are found here, with the northeast being the exclusive habitat for three of them, the wreathed hornbill (Aceros undulatus), the brown hornbill (Anorrhinus austeni) and the Rufous-necked hornbill (Aceros nipalensis). The other two species, the great hornbill (Buceros bicornis) and the Oriental pied hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris) also occur in other parts of India.
- The great hornbill is the state bird of Arunachal Pradesh and Kerala. It is ‘vulnerable’ under the IUCN Red list.
- The Hornbill festival celebrated in Nagaland is named after the bird – Hornbill which is the most revered and admired bird for the Nagas.
Nameri Tiger Reserve
- Nameri Tiger Reserve (declared in 1999-2000) is located in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas in the Sonitpur district of the state of Assam.
- It is on the interstate border with Arunachal Pradesh. The Pakke Tiger Reserve of Arunachal Pradesh adjoins it on its north-eastern point.
- The river Jia-Bhareli (a tributary of Brahmaputra River) with its tributaries, the Nameri, Upper Dikorai and Bor Dikorai flow through the Reserve.
- Besided Tiger, the reserve is also home to the sambar, barking deer, wild boar and bison.
