Environment

Elephant Spotted in Namdapha National Park After 12 Years: A Boost for Conservation in Arunachal Pradesh

🐘 A Remarkable Return

• On January 13, 2025, a camera trap in Namdapha National Park captured an adult male elephant in the Kathan region.
• This is the first elephant sighting in the park since 2013.
• Officials hail the sighting as a positive sign of ecological resilience and a call to action for renewed conservation.

📍 About Namdapha National Park

• Located in Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh.
• Covers 1,985 sq. km.
• Declared a National Park in 1983.
• Part of the Himalayan biodiversity hotspot.
• Home to:
  • 1,000+ plant species
  • 1,400+ animal species
  • Northernmost lowland evergreen rainforests in the world.
• Elevation range: 200m to 4,571m — supporting a rich array of ecosystems.

📜 Historical Migration Routes

• Elephants once migrated freely between Namsai (India) and Myanmar.
• Since 1996, traditional corridors like 52nd Mile have been encroached upon.
• Loss of corridors has trapped elephants in northern Namdapha, increasing human-wildlife conflict.

🚨 Human-Elephant Conflict

• Villagers in fringe areas face crop losses and property damage.
• Encroachment into migration paths is the leading cause.
• Forest Department urges community cooperation and conflict mitigation strategies.

🌿 Why Namdapha Matters

• Features tropical evergreen, subtropical, and temperate forests.
• Houses rare species like:
  • Clouded leopard
  • Hoolock gibbon
  • Red panda
• Declared an Eco-Sensitive Zone in 2024, highlighting its ecological importance.

🛡️ What’s Next?

• Authorities call for:
  • Reopening traditional corridors
  • Strengthening community engagement
  • Enhanced patrolling and monitoring
• The elephant’s return is not just a biological milestone, but a symbol of hope for the park’s revival.