Situated in the eastern foot hills of the Great Himalayas, Assam is one of the states in India rich in biodiversity. The thick dense evergreen forests, fertile soil, unpolluted air are some of the natural factors that promote the sustainability of wild life in this region. There are rare varieties of animals, plants that constitutes amazing environment that never fails to provide everything needed by any true nature lover. Nameri national park in Assam that is enriched with natural beauty located between the border or state of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. It situates in the Sonitpur District of Assam covering an area of 200 sq km, km away from 35 Tezpur that falls under the IUCN category 11 National park. It also borders the northern boundary of Pakhui National park of Arunachal Pradesh.
There are multiple choices to reach Nameri. Road, rail and air transports are the normal courses of transport depending on the choices of the travelers. Domestic airlines and Indian air line gives connection flight to all cities in India form Guwahati or the flights can accessed from the Saloni airport in Sonitpur district that situates 181 km away from Tezpur in Guwahati, which is 35 km away from Nameri. Rangapara railway station provides rail transport that is located 81km away from Nameri Park within Sonitpur District. Regular road transport is available from Tezpur through shuttle bus services to and from the park.
Though Nameri is renowned for its biodiversity, it is famous as one of the Tiger Reserves. It was declared as Reserve Forest in the year 1978 and in 1985 designated as Sanctuary with adding an area with an extent of 137 sq km that was the part of Naduar Forest Reserve. Again an addition 75 sq km was made in November 1998 when it was officially declared as National Park.
Nameri is blessed with rich flora and fauna. Rare species of cane and bamboos gives added charm to the park. It has clump forming bamboo and other plant species of Ajar, urimpoma, rudraksha, bhelou, hatipolia akhekan, amari and bonjolokia among identified 600 plant species.
Another remarkable attraction of the park is the presence of pure water as park is full of rivers. Fishing in these rivers is done under the instruction from the department of forests. Masheer Fish which is also known as “ The Tiger of Himalayan Rivers”, is a major attraction to any visitors that would grow up to 3-9 feet. Even during the British Reign the Jia Bhoroli river was famous for Golden mahseer angling. The soil is fertile due to the abundance of large and small rivers in the park.
The fauna of the park consists of wide range of mammals including tiger, leopard, elephant, clouded leopard, gaur, wild pigs, Burmeese ferret badger, capped langur, dhole, hispid hare, barking deer, sloth bear, sambar and slow lorris. Reptile population include king cobra, Indian cobra, monitor lizard, pit viper, myanmareese python and common blind snake. Amphibians include Assam roofed turtle, Indian soft shell turtle, keeled box turtle, South east Asian leafed turtle and Indian Flap shell turtle.
The best time to visit the park is during November to April. The Tourism activity in the region is administered by Ministry of environment and Forests of India through Assam Tourism department. Tourist lodges under the department is provided at Bhalupong , 21 km away from the park. Accommodation inside the park is in the tented camps with basic amenities and non attached modern toilets. The Potasali eco camp provides delicious food too for the visitors. Inside park activities include rafting, elephant riding, wild life trekking and tent camping for adventurous visitors. Wild life trekking and elephant rides are accompanied by the authorized forest guards. River rafting is provided in the jia Bharali river located in south eastern side of the park. Restricted rafting is provided excluding 13 km and 3 hours angling under the wild life protection act as this area is designated as the save the tiger project with the intention to provide natural habitat for tigers.
The enriched natural beauty with extra ordinary flora and fauna gives any visitor guaranteed amazing and unforgettable experience in Nameri.