Are you looking for a unique and offbeat destination to experience the thrill and beauty of wildlife and nature? If yes, then you should definitely visit the Dampa Tiger Reserve in Mizoram, one of the least known but most diverse and rich tiger reserves in India. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about this amazing place, such as its history, geography, flora, fauna, attractions, activities, and how to plan your trip. Read on to discover why the Dampa Tiger Reserve is a must-visit for wildlife and nature lovers.
Why Visit Dampa Tiger Reserve
The Dampa Tiger Reserve is a hidden gem of wildlife and nature in Mizoram, a state in Northeast India. It is the largest and oldest wildlife sanctuary in the state, covering an area of 500 sq km. It was established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1985, and later recognized as a tiger reserve in 1994 under the Project Tiger scheme. It is also a part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, one of the 36 global hotspots of biodiversity in the world.
The Dampa Tiger Reserve is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including some rare and endangered species. The reserve has tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, bamboo thickets, grasslands, and wetlands, which provide habitats for different kinds of plants and animals. Some of the important wild animals found in the reserve are the tiger, the clouded leopard, the hoolock gibbon, the Asian elephant, the gaur, the sloth bear, the sambar, the barking deer, the wild boar, and the Malayan giant squirrel. The reserve also has more than 300 species of birds, such as the hornbill, the peacock pheasant, the partridge, the eagle, the falcon, and the owl. The reserve also has amphibians, reptiles, fish, and insects, making it a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts.
The Dampa Tiger Reserve also offers many attractions and activities for visitors, such as scenic views, trails, watchtowers, safaris, and birdwatching. The reserve has three main entry points, namely Teirei, Damparengpui, and Phuldungsei, from where visitors can access different parts of the reserve. The reserve has several watchtowers, such as the Chawrpial, the Sathuai, the Subalong, and the Dampatlang, from where visitors can get a panoramic view of the forest and the wildlife. The reserve also has several trails, such as the Chawrpial Trail, the Sathuai Trail, the Subalong Trail, and the Dampatlang Trail, which are suitable for trekking and hiking. The reserve also offers jeep and elephant safaris, which are the best ways to explore the reserve and spot the wildlife. The reserve also has a rich birdlife, which can be enjoyed by birdwatchers and photographers.
How to Plan Your Trip to Dampa Tiger Reserve
If you are planning to visit the Dampa Tiger Reserve, here are some practical and useful tips that will help you make the most of your trip.
The best time to visit the reserve is from November to March, when the weather is pleasant and dry, and the wildlife is more active and visible. The reserve is closed from June to September, due to the monsoon season, which makes the roads and trails inaccessible and risky.
The entry fee for the reserve is Rs. 20 per person, and Rs. 100 per vehicle. The safari fee is Rs. 500 per person, and Rs. 1000 per elephant. The permit and ticket for visiting the reserve can be obtained from the Forest Department office at Teirei, Damparengpui, or Phuldungsei, or from the Mizoram Tourism office at Aizawl.
The rules and regulations for visiting the reserve are as follows:
- Visitors must carry a valid permit and ticket, and show them at the entry and exit points.
- Visitors must follow the instructions and guidance of the forest staff and guides, and respect the rights and customs of the local communities.
- Visitors must not litter, smoke, make noise, or disturb the wildlife and the environment in any way.
- Visitors must not carry any weapons, firecrackers, alcohol, or drugs into the reserve.
- Visitors must not feed, touch, chase, or harm the wildlife in any way.
- Visitors must not collect, damage, or remove any plant, animal, or mineral from the reserve.
- Visitors must not venture into the restricted or dangerous areas of the reserve, or stay beyond the permitted hours.
- The accessibility and transportation of the reserve are as follows:
- The nearest airport to the reserve is the Lengpui Airport, which is about 130 km away from the reserve. The airport is connected to major cities like Kolkata, Guwahati, and Imphal by regular flights. From the airport, visitors can hire a taxi or a bus to reach the reserve.
- The nearest railway station to the reserve is the Silchar Railway Station, which is about 200 km away from the reserve. The station is connected to major cities like Guwahati, Kolkata, and Delhi by regular trains. From the station, visitors can hire a taxi or a bus to reach the reserve.
- The nearest city to the reserve is Aizawl, which is about 120 km away from the reserve. Aizawl is the capital and the largest city of Mizoram, and has many attractions and facilities for tourists. From Aizawl, visitors can hire a taxi or a bus to reach the reserve.
The accommodation and food options near the reserve are as follows:
- The reserve has a forest rest house at Teirei, which has basic amenities and facilities for visitors. The rest house can be booked in advance from the Forest Department office at Teirei, or from the Mizoram Tourism office at Aizawl. The rest house charges Rs. 500 per night for a double room, and Rs. 300 per night for a single room.
- The reserve also has a few homestays and guest houses near the entry points, which are run by the local communities. The homestays and guest houses offer a comfortable and authentic stay experience for visitors, and also provide home-cooked meals and local delicacies. The homestays and guest houses charge Rs. 500 to Rs. 1000 per night for a double room, and Rs. 300 to Rs. 500 per night for a single room.
- The reserve also has a few hotels and restaurants near the entry points, which offer a range of amenities and services for visitors. The hotels and restaurants charge Rs. 1000 to Rs. 2000 per night for a double room, and Rs. 500 to Rs. 1000 per night for a single room. The hotels and restaurants also serve a variety of cuisines, such as Indian, Chinese, Mizo, and Continental.
What to Expect from Your Visit to Dampa Tiger Reserve
Visiting the Dampa Tiger Reserve is an unforgettable and rewarding experience for anyone who loves wildlife and nature. Here are some of the things that you can expect from your visit to the reserve.
- The challenges and difficulties of visiting the reserve are as follows:
- The reserve is remote and rugged, and requires a lot of physical and mental stamina and endurance to explore and enjoy. The roads and trails are rough and steep, and the weather can be unpredictable and harsh. The wildlife can be elusive and dangerous, and the forest can be dense and dark. The reserve is not for the faint-hearted or the unprepared, and requires a lot of planning and preparation.
- The reserve is also not very well-developed or well-maintained, and lacks many facilities and amenities for visitors. The reserve has limited accommodation and food options, and no electricity, internet, or phone connectivity. The reserve also has limited staff and guides, and no medical or emergency services. The reserve is not for the luxury-seekers or the comfort-lovers, and requires a lot of flexibility and adaptability.
The thrill and excitement of visiting the reserve are as follows:
- The reserve is an adventure and a discovery, and offers a lot of opportunities and possibilities for visitors. The reserve has a lot of diversity and richness, and surprises and delights visitors with its wildlife and nature. The reserve also has a lot of mystery and mystery, and challenges and tests visitors with its wildlife and nature. The reserve is for the curious and the courageous, and requires a lot of curiosity and courage.
- The reserve is also a wonder and a wonder, and gives a lot of joy and satisfaction to visitors. The reserve has a lot of beauty and serenity, and inspires and awes visitors with its wildlife and nature. The reserve also has a lot of learning and awareness, and educates and enlightens visitors with its wildlife and nature. The reserve is for the passionate and the respectful, and requires a lot of passion and respect.
The beauty and serenity of visiting the reserve are as follows:
- The reserve is a paradise and a sanctuary, and provides a lot of peace and tranquility to visitors. The reserve has a lot of natural scenery, sounds, and smells, and soothes and calms visitors with its wildlife and nature. The reserve also has a lot of harmony and balance, and connects and bonds visitors with its wildlife and nature. The reserve is for the soulful and the spiritual, and requires a lot of soul and spirit.
Conclusion
The Dampa Tiger Reserve is a hidden gem of wildlife and nature in Mizoram, and a must-visit for wildlife and nature lovers. The reserve has a lot of diversity and richness, and surprises and delights visitors with its wildlife and nature. The reserve also has a lot of challenges and difficulties, and requires a lot of planning and preparation. In this article, we have told you everything you need to know about this amazing place, such as its history, geography, flora, fauna, attractions, activities, and how to plan your trip.
We hope that this article has inspired and motivated you to visit the Dampa Tiger Reserve, and experience the thrill and beauty of wildlife and nature in Mizoram.
