Extraordinary and unique wildlife encounters that make Northeast India more memorable

Due to its fair share of lush greens and thick jungles with ample marshes and water resources, Northeast India is home to a breath-taking amount of rare species of plants, animals, and birds. Attracting nature lovers and wildlife admirers, Northeast India gives one a chance to witness some of the most magnificent creatures and mesmerising sights. So, when you plan your next visit to the seven sister states, ensure that you get a chance to see the wildlife marvels listed below. Be there to witness the epic journey of one of the world’s smallest raptors

Every year, from late September till the end of November, the Doyang reservoir in Nagaland, India, gets its due share of attention as tourists flock to witness the spectacular stopover of almost one million Amur Falcons on their longest winter migration of almost 22,000 km from the Amur region of Northeast Asia to Southern Africa and back.

After arriving in Nagaland, they spend around two months feasting on insects. Pangti, a small village closest to the Doyang reservoir, is famous for its Amur Falcon roosting site. The congregation of these raptors is a sight to behold as Doyang reservoir probably hosts the single largest congregation of Amur falcons recorded anywhere in the world.

In 2012, Pangti received global criticism over the reported killing of thousands of the migratory Falcons which come to roost here. A year later, Pangti made headlines again, and the number of Amur Falcons hunted in the region that year had gone down to zero. The village locals have recounted the story of this transition from hunting to conservation in the documentary The Pangti Story, which won a National Film Award in 2018 in the category of Best Environmental Film. Amur Falcons are a protected species because of many conservatory efforts and global outcry over the years.

Amur Falcons breed in Southeast Russia and northern China, migrating to the west through India and across the Arabian Sea to southern Africa, where they spend their winters. They make a roundtrip of at least 20,000 km every year and travel between their breeding and wintering grounds. In between, they also take a break near the western coast of India before starting their non-stop flight to Southern Africa and Kenya.

Amur falcons also congregate in other parts of North Eastern India, like the Tamenglong district in Manipur during the passage migration.

Spot the lovely Shirui Lily, endemic to the Shirui hills of Manipur

The State Flower of Manipur, Shirui Lily, also called Siroy Lily or Lilium Macklinae, is a rare pinkish-white flower found only in the Shirui Hills range in the Ukhrul district of Manipur, approximately 83 kilometers away from Imphal. The flower was named after Jean Macklin, the wife of Dr. Frank Kingdon Ward, who spotted the flower in 1946 while collecting botanical specimens.

The Shirui Hills is known for this unique species of land-lily, which grows at the height of about 8,500

ft above sea level. The flower is today considered an endangered species. The Lily plant is about a foot tall, and its flower resembles a bell shape. It blooms only from April to June every year. They blossom at their best from 15th May to 5th June, marking it as its peak season and is the best time to visit. The hills of Shirui commands a panoramic view of the district of Ukhrul, and during flowering seasons the bright lilies cover the stretch of the Shirui Hill range. The scenic view of the hill range covered with lilies makes it a wonderful picture-perfect location. The Sirohi National Park in the vicinity protects and preserves the enthralling lilies plants, including the other flora and fauna of the region.

Before the pandemic, The Shirui Lily Festival used to be organised to celebrate the State Flower of Manipur. The event is a part of Manipur Tourism’s efforts to develop and implement sustainable and responsible tourism in the State and save and increase awareness about Manipur’s Shirui Lily found only in the Shirui Hills.

Keep a lookout for the spectacular Hornbills

The Northeast region of India has the highest diversity of Hornbills, with five species out of the nine species of hornbills in India.

The Great Hornbill, the largest member of the hornbill family, occurs in north, northeast, and south India, apart from Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. Great pied hornbill has impressive size and colour, found in the Himalayan Forest, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast India. It is the state bird of both Kerala and Arunachal Pradesh.

Within India, the rarest hornbills, the Wreathed Hornbill, Rufous-necked Hornbill, and the Whitethroated

Brown Hornbill or Austen’s Brown hornbill are restricted to Northeast India, showing their biogeographical affinity with South-east Asia.

The wreathed hornbill is found in Northeast India with some geographical variation in the appearance of Southeast Asia. The wreathed hornbill looks fierce and not cute. Its cherry-red eyes, almost bare nape and neck, short tail, black wings, a pop of color on the throat, and a large bill make them look intimidating. However, that makes them easily identifiable.

With its huge size, colourful plumage, and conservation status of vulnerable, it is no wonder that the Rufous-necked Hornbill is amongst one of the top birds sought by birders to complete their sighting record list. Like many other hornbills, Rufous-necked depends greatly on mature, large trees for feeding and nesting, as well as large expanses of forest.

The brown hornbill species is also found in the forest of Northeastern Indian states, from lowland plains to deciduous forests. Namdapha National Park of Arunachal Pradesh is the best place to see brown hornbill in India along with Rufous-necked hornbill, Wreathed hornbill and great pied hornbill.

Oriental pied hornbill is found in northern and eastern India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, Peninsular Malaysia, etc. Like other hornbill birds, this species is also known for its distinctive beak and casque. The oriental pied hornbills are large, frugivorous, canopy-dwelling birds, inhabiting tropical and subtropical moist lowland forests.

Discover more at the only wildlife sanctuary floating on a lake

Afloat on the waters of the Loktak Lake in Manipur, the Keibul Lamjao National Park is the world’s only floating wildlife sanctuary. The park is a wetland ecosystem known for the patches and rings of biomass called phumdis. These phumdis are floating mats of soil, plants, and organic matter at various stages of decomposition, all naturally bundled together. Part submerged, part floating, they are the elements that impart uniqueness to the Loktak ecosystem. These floating meadows dot Two-thirds of the saucer-shaped lake. Tourists who opt for boat rides in the waterways within the phumdis can step on them and feel them pulsate.

The lake provides livelihood for as many as 4,000 fishermen and their families, who live along its banks in small huts. The Meitei people of Manipur consider the lake their mother and the giver of life. According to the folklore of the Meitei, Manipur’s culturally dominant indigenous group, the lake was home to India’s very own Loch Ness monster, a mythical horned python called Poubi Lai.

Loktak is also Northeast India’s largest freshwater lake. Like a jewel in a crown, it is positioned almost centrally in the state of Manipur, which shares a border with Myanmar. The lake ecosystem lies within the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot, with a diverse range of flora and fauna. The Lake is located about an hour’s drive away from the capital city of Manipur, Imphal. The Loktak Lake, other than its popular Sangai deer, houses more than 700 species of flora and fauna- aquatic and on the ground. Whether it is the diversity of migratory birds or the unique indigenous animals, the region’s natural wildlife is truly astounding.