Know
the Flora & Fauna of Arunachal PradeshThe rich and colourful flora and fauna of Arunachal Pradesh find a place of pride. Arunachal Pradesh is a paradise for entomologists and naturalists. The abundance of flora & fauna makes Arunachal Pradesh one of the best eco-tourism destination all over the world.
The Flora of Arunachal Pradesh
The wide variance of altitudinal and climatic conditions have given rise to different forest types which create corresponding natural shelter, food etc. to varieties of wildlife.
The Orchids
Arunachal Pradesh houses about over 500 varieties of orchids alone, out of a thousand found in India. These are colourful, spectacular and some bear exotic names such as Sita-Pushpa and Droupadipushpa which were believed to have been worn by Sita and Draupadi for ornamentation. Some of the orchids are rare and classified as endangered. Arunachal Pradesh Forest Development Corporation has established an Orchid Research and Development Station at Tipi in West Kameng district for a propagation and conservation of these species. This centre has established a laboratory for orchid seed and tissue culture for this purpose. The Medicinal Plants
There are over 500 species of medicinal plants reported so for from Arunachal Pradesh. They can not only cure the ailments but can also be potential source of economy to the state. It can also open up avenues in cultivation, processing , packaging, marketing and industrial application. The medicinal plants are found through out the state. Some of them are much sought after by pharmaceutical companies. Quite obviously it is the rural people, particularly the unemployed woman and children, who would be benefited by these ventures. Cultivation of medicinal plants are not only economical but are ecologically safer too.
Some of the most economical plants are Acorus, Andrographis , Aquilaria, Dioscorea, Oroxylum, Rauvolfia, Tinospora, Withania, etc in low altitudes of Arunachal Pradesh. While for high altitudes it is Aconitum, Coptis, Gymnadaenia, Illicium, Panax, Picrorrhiza, Rubia, Taxus, etc.
The Fauna of Arunachal Pradesh
The Animal Kingdom
Arunachal Pradesh is perhaps the only state which shelters four major cats i.e. tiger, leopard, clouded leopard and snow leopard and also rare lesser feline species like the Golden cat and marbled cat. Seven species of primates i.e. hoolock gibbon, slow loris, Assemese macaque, stumptailed macaque and capped langur have been reported from Arunachal Pradesh. All the three goat antelopes occurring in India i.e. serow, goral and takin are found in Arunachal Pradesh. Arunachal Pradesh is the only place in India where takin is found. Highly endangered species like, hispid hare are seen in the low latitudinal grassland areas of Arunachal Pradesh. Among the large mammals mithun, which is a cross breed between the wild gaur and domestic cattle, buffalo and elephant are found in the plains and adjacent hills.
The other high altitude animals include musk deer, bharal, Himalayan black bear, red panda etc. The musk deer occurs at high altitudes throughout the state, whereas the bharal has been reported occurring in the western part of the state.
Among the lesser mammals large number of rodents (squirrels, porcupine and rats), civet, mongoose, linsang, shrew and bat species occur here.
The Bird Kingdom
More than 500 bird species have been recorded in Arunachal Pradesh, many of which are highly endangered and restricted to this state. Some of them are - White winged duck, sclater monal, temminck's tragopan, Bengal florican. Arunachal Pradesh is the richest state in pheasants with some 10 species occupying different levels from plains to snow covered mountains.
The Reptile and Other Kingdoms
Arunachal Pradesh is equally rich in reptiles, amphibians and fishes. Pythons and snakes of all colours and descriptions are commonly found in forests at almost all levels upto the temperate zone.
The invertebrate faunal communities are found in thick and evergreen forests of Arunachal Pradesh. Numerous species of butterflies, moths, beetles and all other kinds of small creatures are also found in the surroundings of the Arunachal Pardesh.
