Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary is recognized as a prime birding site as it host a terrific variety and number of bird species. It is situated in the West Kameng district of the Indian state Arunachal Pradesh at the foothills of Himalayas. Also known as Eagle`s Nest Wildlife Sanctuary, it is a protected area and connects Pakhui Tiger Reserve across the Kameng River to the east and Sessa Orchid Sanctuary to the northeast. It forms a part of Kameng Elephant Reserve. The altitude of the region varies from 500 metres to 3250 metres. The place has been named after Red Eagle Division of the Indian Army after its posting in the region in 1950s.
Birds of Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary
Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary is a prime centre of extraordinary assortment of birds which constitutes about 454 species. It is also the place where Bugun Liocichla was discovered first in the year 1995. In 2006 it was once again observed as described by Ramana Athreya. It also hosts three tragopan species which is a unique variety in India. Other common birds found here include Sparrows, Finches, Oriental White-eye, Flowerpeckers, Parrotbills, Old World Flycatchers, Hornbills, Barbets, Wagtails, Black-Necked Crane and many more.
Fauna of Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary
A number of herpetofauna are also the inhabitants of Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary which include 7 species of lizards, 24 species of snakes and 34 species of amphibians. Abor Hills Agama was rediscovered here after 125 years. Keelback, Common Slug Snake, Gunther"s Kukri Snake, Anderson`s Mountain Lizard, Darjeeling False-wolfsnake are other rare species found here. 15 species of mammals can be spotted here which include Asiatic Black Bear, Red Panda, Asian Elephant, Bengal Tiger, Capped Langur, Arunachal Macaque and Gaur. Eaglenest is also home to about 165 species of butterflies such as Jungle-queen, Tigerbrown, Dusky Labyrinth, Scarce Red-Forester, Grey Admiral and Bhutan Glory.
Conservation in Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary
Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary is under the administration of Divisional Forest Officer of Shergaon Forest Division. The sanctuary does not have any settlements for which the place encounters minimum problems of poaching and hunting. It is also included in the Conservation International Himalaya Biodiversity Hotspot area. It has been designated as a significant Bird Area by the Birdlife International and Blyth`s Tragopan has been identified as a vulnerable species. It is also an important site of Asian Elephant which move up to the Eaglenest ridge from Assam plains.
