By Nani Kojin
NAHARLAGUN, Jun 16: It was like bringing the lost memories back with a fresh journey inside a jungle, all green, amidst a beautiful landscape, where the chirping of birds never ends. It was a tough decision for me at this age but after wrapping up the jungle tour, I am happy to count it to be one of the best journeys I have ever had inside a forest after a gap of almost 25 years.
As per a coordinated plan, I got an opportunity to venture out to visit the Tale Wildlife Sanctuary in the Tale valley of my home district, Lower Subansiri, from June 9-12, 2023 with IFS officer Ngilyang Tam, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (WL & BD) & CWLW, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh and Dr. Tage Kano, District Medical Officer, Ziro, who takes a keen interest in photography on flora and fauna, especially on butterflies.
The guided tour with PCCF Ngilyang Tam, IFS, was actively coordinated by Ngilyang Tachang, Range Forest Officer (RFO), Tale Wildlife Sanctuary that eased our tour.
Tale Wildlife Sanctuary has been christened after the plant ‘Tale’ which is abundantly found in the valley.
In the local Apatani dialect, Tale is the name of wild variety of onion (Allium hookerii) and is termed by the Nyshi tribe as ‘Talab’.
The main Tale valley, located at a distance of 15 km from the Pange Camp, was created in 1995.
The sanctuary spreads across 337 Sq km area at an altitude of 1700m-2700 m.
According to RFO Tachang, the best time to visit the sanctuary is October to May.
The Tale Wildlife Sanctuary falls under Sub-Tropical & Wet Temperate Forests and is a part of the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity hotspots.
Tale Wildlife Sanctuary is home to more than 100 species of medicinal plants (GSMP), 8 species of bamboo including Pleioblastus simony, which is found only in this part of the State and Chimnobambusa armata, recorded only in the Pange area of the country Tachang said.
According to official data, the Tale Wildlife Sanctuary has recorded more than 100 Orchid species, 26 Rhododendron species and Primula Species besides more than 200 species of ferns.
A total of 409 birds have been recorded in the sanctuary. Birds like Ward’s Trogon, Green Cochoa, Blyth Kingfisher, etc. can also be sighted in the trail of approximately 10 km of the sanctuary.
Tale Wildlife Sanctuary is also known for the butterflies found abundantly in the sanctuary. A few of the varieties of butterflies found here are Kaiser-i-Hind, Bhutan Glory, Brown Gorgon, Apatani Glory (discovered in December 2017), etc.
During the visit, PCCF (WL & BD) & CWLW, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Ngilyang Tam directed the forest officials to conduct regular patrolling in the wildlife sanctuary to check illegal hunting and said, “Patrolling path should be suitably maintained”.
Rhododendron trail, bamboo trail and helipad trails are properly upkeep for the tourists, who visit tale valley, particularly during the winter season, he observed.
Stating that the Tale Camp must be properly maintained, Tam said, “The Pange Range Headquarters is very nicely maintained which should be kept well maintained for all seasons.”
The top forest official said there is a need of proper documentation of the flora and fauna for the benefit of the tourists.
He appreciated all the staff members, who performed duty enthusiastically despite inclement weather during his visit to the wildlife sanctuary.
Regarding the endangered flora found in the wild sanctuary, Tachang told Arunachal Front, “Tale Wildlife Sanctuary is known as a floral paradise where 26 Rhododendron species have been reported including Rhododendron pongeanum (endemic & new discovery from Pange).”
On the bamboo species found here, he said, “Pleioblastus simony and Chimnobambusa armata are recorded only in the Pange area of the State in the country.”
On the medicinal plants found in the sanctuary, the forest officer informed that very rare & endangered medicinal plants like Paris polyplylla, Taxus baccata and Ginsing are found here.
Regarding the fauna found, he informed that rare sighting of clouded leopard and tiger has been recorded in the wildlife sanctuary. He also informed that camera had trapped two different individuals of tiger in the sanctuary. “Kaiser-i-Hind, Apatani Glory (endemic & new discovery), Bhutan Glory, Brown Gorgon are also among rare & endangered species found here,” he said.
He informed that sighting of Pangolin has also been recorded in the sanctuary, however, there is no photographic evidence.
Of the new discoveries, Tachang informed that Protoblepharus Apatani is a new skink discovery & Trachischium Apteii is a new non-venomous burrowing snake discovered in the forest of the sanctuary.
When asked how they protect and preserve the flora and fauna in the wildlife sanctuary, Tachang said they make use of camera trapping to confirm the presence and conduct census on the population of the wildlife species.
As part of the protection measures, patrolling is carried out on regular intervals, especially during the vulnerable season, he said, adding, “Awareness campaigns are also conducted among the local population, students and other civil societies.”
He further informed that for Kaiser-i-Hind & Bhutan Glory, planting of host plants is done as they are very specific on egg-laying plants.
‘Guide’ services and all other required help are provided to the researchers & experts visiting the sanctuary, Tachang said.
When asked whether any threats the forest personnel have encountered while on duty or they have faced any challenges, Tachang said, “Many instances have been reported by the staff members on encountering wild animals, which include bear, wild boar, snakes, etc. Leeches and insects are also big problems while performing duties. Discontentment and threats from the public have also been occasionally reported regarding some protocols over our line of duty.”
“Bad road condition is a major problem for logistic transportation & movement of people. Besides, lack of electricity & network also creates problem,” RFO Tachang added.
It was an amazing experience inside the forest. I was happy to see the accommodation facilities made available in the sanctuary. The guest house has the basic amenities. Researchers, scholars and nature lovers would love to visit this wildlife sanctuary which is rich in flora and fauna.
The latest journey inside the forest would remain as an unforgettable memory and I welcome all other adventurous people, researchers, scholars and students of the country and abroad to visit and explore the wildlife sanctuary and have a glimpse of nature’s beauty in this Himalayan state. (The author is the Editor of Arunachal Front).
