NAMERI NATIONAL PARK & ITS ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
In the Sonitpur District of Assam, India there is the third
national park which is about 40 kilometres from Tezpur and 235 kilometres from
Guwahati is known as Nameri
National Park. It is in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas and linked
up with The
Pakhui (Pakke) Sanctuary of Arunachal Pradesh on its North-Eastern point.
Both the National Park covers the area of over 1000 kms. The Forests are soggy
deciduous forests with cane & bamboo brakes, half-evergreen and narrow
pieces of open meadow long rivers. Nameri National Park is also
famous of getting over 300 species of birds and termed as “Birder’s
Paradise”.
In the Eastern Himalayas Nameri National Park is
located. Adjoining northern boundary with Pakhui National Park (810 sq. km) it
is 200 sq. km in area. Nameri is really on the edge of a huge wilderness area. Nameri National Park and Pakhui
Wildlife Sanctuary has been declared as Tiger Reserve under Project
Tiger. You need to cross the snow-fed Bhorelli River to reach
the Park and walks are permitted (which is not permitted in Kaziranga
NP). The habitat is diverse more close to Manas National Park (which can
also be visited nowadays). Sighting of wild animals is difficult but
over 350 species of birds’ dwelling place. Known to be a good place to sight
the White-winged Wood Duck, you can view Wreathed hornbill, Ibis bill
(uncommon), Sultan Tit, Ruddy Kingfisher, White-throated Fantails,
Yellow-bellied and Long-billed Ringed Plover.
By tradition acknowledged for its Golden Mahseer. The Bhorelli flows along the
southern periphery of the Park. Its record on rod and line was a 24.5 kg (52lb)
golden Mahseer. Now Angling is not permitted and banned. November is the
best time to visit as well as during February & March. Angling is now
banned.
There are several places to stay Wild Mahseer Lodge
[Addabarie Tea Estate]. This is a 62 year planter’s bungalow owned by
George Williamson Ltd but now recently open to visitors. The tea estate is
known as Addabarrie Tea Estate. And lies 25 km north of Tezpur. The Nameri National Park is 18
km (good road) away. (25 minutes). The other is Eco Camp which is a
tented camp facility and good and lies near the Park's entry (walking
distance). So does Jia Bhorelli Camp situated next to Eco Camp. Near these
two camps the capped langur is easily sighted.
If you stay in Eco Camp suggested that on arrival opt for
boating on River Jia
Bhorelli. First drive by surface from Eco Camp or whichever lodge
will be organizing your boating towards Bhalukpong. The road is horrible
and needs major repairs it is the only road leading to Bomdila (occupied
by the Chinese in 1962) Tawang and the important Arunachal district of West
Kameng.
It was this very route by which the Dalai Lama fled
Tibet. It takes forty minutes on this bad road to the boat launching point
upstream. Get on to a specialized rubber dinghy at 16th Mile (oared
by expert boatmen) and ride downstream for 2 and half hours. Key
species include Ibis bill along the shingle banks, the rare wintering
Long-billed Plover, Crested Kingfisher, Great Thick-knee, Pallas’s Fish-eagle,
Small Pratincole and Great-crested Grebe. Other species include
White-capped Water-redstart, Daurian and Hodgson’s Redstart, Blue Whistling
Thrush, Blue Rock Thrush, etc. Disembark and return to Eco Camp by
car while returning dusk sets in and vocalizing of brown fish owl
and brown hawk owl can be heard and large tailed night jar can be sighted. A
day's programme could be of this nature: - before breakfast at
5.30 am onward to cross the river (by wooden boat). Nameri National Park
cannot be approached by vehicles as it is so located that you need to approach
it from the south and the River Bhorelli flows along its southern
periphery. Disembark at Potasali 400 m from river bank. After a short casual
walk (1 km) it will take 20-30 minutes as birding activity will be entailed in
this woodland. Usually birders go to Moniram Beel narrow small water body
inside the woodland and try to view white winged wood duck. Return for
breakfast. After breakfast you could skip this and proceed to Guwahati airport
max 4 hours.
The route from Kaziranga to Nameri presents a diversity of
rural scape. You will come across wet grassland landscape tea garden, you will
get a short stretch of hill road, woodland and will cross the Brahmaputra
by way of a surface bridge. (To reach this point from our place will take 1
hour 10 minutes) From Kaziranga you will move west for 45 km and then take the
road north cross the Brahmaputra and will by-pass a town called Tezpur situated
on banks of the river having hillocks and 6th-8th century AD stone ruins with
rock inscriptions of civilized settlement. From Tezpur town he will move north
towards the Eastern Himalayan foothills of Arunachal Pradesh and
about another 34 km you will arrive Nameri area.
Reasons To Visit:
1.
Since Jai Bhoroli River flowing through Nameri National Park and it is
symbolized by hills of deciduous forests there is a reason to visit.
2.
As a Birder’s paradise of more than 300 species
of birds found in the Park. Four species of Hornbills, Bee Eaters, Babblers,
Barbets, Ibis, Plovers, Bills, and large quantity of Mainas etc. are found in
the national park.
3.
The total world population of 700 White Winged
Wood Duck, alone in Nameri
National Park it is found 50 in numbers. White Winged Wood Duck is a rare
and endangered species.
4.
Nameri
National Park is also known as the residence of Assam Roof Turtle,
Multicoloured butterflies and insects like the Lantern fly etc.
5.
If one talks about Mahseer angling than it is
related with Jai Bhoroli River of Assam which is the home of the Golden
Mahseer. Any angler if catches The Tiger of Indian Rivers it is being prized
(Subject to permit issued).
6.
Often we have heard about Jeep Safari but seldom
one hears WALKING SAFARI. I call it one of the reasons to visit Nameri National Park is to have
Walking Safari to the National Park to a point from where you can see the
birds, animals etc.
Know It:
Permits: It is mandatory to take permit if
anyone wishes to do angling which has to be booked in advance. Documents
required are ID proof passport copy (overseas and Indian Nationals), voters ID,
Pan Card, driving license}.
Domestic tourist can get up early morning and go for WALKING
SAFARI. The vehicle will take you to Jai Bhoroli River; a small boat
will take the other side of the river, you have to walk for fifteen on the sand
& reach the National Park Check Point. And from there again half an hour
walks to enter into the National Park till the watch tower. Spent one hour
inside the forest on the top of watch tower and see the birds and butterflies.
Don’t forget to take a binocular while going for WALKING SAFARI.
There are only 3 options to stay at night in Nameri National Park. A group of
more than 30-35 persons is not possible t accommodate at one time.
NAMERI ECO CAMP: This
is the best possible camp / tent where we can accommodate the guest. The total
number of inventory is 12 tents of different sizes. One family can easily stay
in each tent. There is also a large playing area for the children with children
amenities. The staffs are very friendly and service no issue.
JAI BHORALI
WILD RESORT: The second option is Jai Bhoroli Wild Resort with
separate cottages scattered in a large area. Entrance is very good and the
guest will love to see at first sight. The rooms are average in size and
maximum 3 people can easily accommodate in the cottages. The total inventory is
8 cottages.
WILD MAHESEER: This
is one the premium property near Nameri
National Park for the guest to stay. But this is little far from the
National Park. It takes approx. 40 minutes to reach to the national park from
the resort. The rooms are like Bungalows which has given different names.
Mostly for Luxury packages this bungalows are recommended to stay. Or one can
provide accommodation on demand.
Courtesy:
CATWALK HOLIDAYS PRIVATE LIMITED
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