1. GHOSHU BIRD SANCTUARY
Located at the middle of Nagaland in Zunheboto district, Ghoshu Bird Sanctuary is located near Ghukiye village at a distance of around 8 km from the district headquarter Zunheboto town. The around 10 sq km sanctuary is the first community sanctuary of the region since 1996. A picturesque sanctuary; Langki river flows throw it.
3. SARAMATI
Touched by Myanmar border, Saramati is one among the finest example of subtropical broad leaf type of forest area in the district of Tuensang. The 3842 meter high Saramati Peak is considered as the highest peak of southern part of Great Himalayas. Need trekking and camping to watch the rare bird species of Blyth’s Tragopan, Rufous – necked Hornbill and Mrs. Hume’s Phesant.
4. KHONOMA
One among the largest village of the area, Khonoma declared their community forest as a Tragopan Sanctuary; officially came to be known as Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary in 1998 with an area of 87 sq km. Though the area have been reduced to 25 sq km birds get necessary protection from the people of the area and thus Khonoma become a secure nest for rare and endangered species of birds. A great place to watch Blyth’s Tragopan and Dark – rumped Swift at a easily accessible distance from Kohima.
5. MOUNT ZEPHU
The 2605 high Mt. Zephu is also known as Ziphu and Zepuhu. Situated in Phek district on the catchment area of Chindwin River. A number of Rufous – necked Hornbill, Blyth’s Tragopan, Hume’s Phesant and Rufous – Throated Hill Patridge live within this beautiful combination of subtropical broadleaf and temperate broadleaf forests. The luckiest people may observe rare Wood Snipe. Need trekking and camping.
6. SATOI
The trail from Satoi village near Zunheboto town to broad leaf forests is an excellent range for bird lovers and Ornithologists.
7. DZUKOU VALLEY
The beautiful valley of Dzukou Lilly (an endemic flower) worth trekking to explore its rich bird life along with breathtaking natural scenario. Though the urban structure of Kohima is situated near to it, travelers need a trekking period of almost 6 hours.
8. FAKIM WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
The around 6.4 sq km tiny sanctuary, almost 30 km from village Pungao provide good facility to watch birds. It is situated on the slopes of Mt. Saramati.
9. PULIE BADGE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Situated at the up skirt area of Kohima the sanctuary has an area of only 4 sq km. The area was declared protected mainly for rare Blyth’s Tragopan.
10. MOUNT PAONA
Situated in the Barail Range of Peren District, Mt Paona is one of the most mountainous area of the state. The ighest peak is 2062 meter in highet. A famous site for Great Oriental Pied Hornbill, Brown Hornbill and Grey Sibia along with Blyth’s Tragopan.
- Nearest Cities: Zunheboto, Mokokchung.
- Nearest Airports at: Jorhat, Dimapaur.
- Nearest Railway Station: Mariani.
2. NTAGNKI NATIONAL PARK
Ntangki National Park is the largest protected forest area in Nagaland measuring around 200 sq km. Having geographical biodiversity of hills, low hills and plain of river Dhansiri visitors can expect to see various species of birds along with many animals. White – winged Wood Ducks and Brown Hornbill are the major rare birds of this semi evergreen forest area. On other bank of river Dhansiri there lies Assam’s Dhansiri Reserve Forest. - Nearest Cities: Dimapur, Kohima
- Nearest Airports at: Dimapur, Jorhat.
- Nearest Railway Stations: Dimapur, Bokajan.
Touched by Myanmar border, Saramati is one among the finest example of subtropical broad leaf type of forest area in the district of Tuensang. The 3842 meter high Saramati Peak is considered as the highest peak of southern part of Great Himalayas. Need trekking and camping to watch the rare bird species of Blyth’s Tragopan, Rufous – necked Hornbill and Mrs. Hume’s Phesant.
- Nearest Cities: Tuensang, Mokokchung, Jorhat.
- Nearest Airports at: Jorhat, Dimapaur.
- Nearest Railway Station: Mariani.
One among the largest village of the area, Khonoma declared their community forest as a Tragopan Sanctuary; officially came to be known as Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary in 1998 with an area of 87 sq km. Though the area have been reduced to 25 sq km birds get necessary protection from the people of the area and thus Khonoma become a secure nest for rare and endangered species of birds. A great place to watch Blyth’s Tragopan and Dark – rumped Swift at a easily accessible distance from Kohima.
- Nearest Cities: Kohima, Dimapur.
- Nearest Airports at: Dimapur, Jorhat.
- Nearest Railway Stations: Dimapur, Bokajan.
5. MOUNT ZEPHU
The 2605 high Mt. Zephu is also known as Ziphu and Zepuhu. Situated in Phek district on the catchment area of Chindwin River. A number of Rufous – necked Hornbill, Blyth’s Tragopan, Hume’s Phesant and Rufous – Throated Hill Patridge live within this beautiful combination of subtropical broadleaf and temperate broadleaf forests. The luckiest people may observe rare Wood Snipe. Need trekking and camping.
- Nearest Cities: Kohima, Dimapur.
- Nearest Airport at: Dimapur:
- Nearest Railway Stations: Dimapur, Bokajan.
6. SATOI
The trail from Satoi village near Zunheboto town to broad leaf forests is an excellent range for bird lovers and Ornithologists.
- Nearest Cities: Zunheboto, Mokokchung.
- Nearest Airport at: Jorhat.
- Nearest Railway Station: Mariani.
The beautiful valley of Dzukou Lilly (an endemic flower) worth trekking to explore its rich bird life along with breathtaking natural scenario. Though the urban structure of Kohima is situated near to it, travelers need a trekking period of almost 6 hours.
- Nearest Cities: Kohima, Dimapur.
- Nearest Airport at: Dimapur.
- Nearest railway stations: Dimapur, Bokajan.
8. FAKIM WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
The around 6.4 sq km tiny sanctuary, almost 30 km from village Pungao provide good facility to watch birds. It is situated on the slopes of Mt. Saramati.
- Nearest Cities: Zunheboto, Mokokchung.
- Nearest Airport at: Jorhat.
- Nearest Railway station: Mariani.
Situated at the up skirt area of Kohima the sanctuary has an area of only 4 sq km. The area was declared protected mainly for rare Blyth’s Tragopan.
- Nearest Cities: Kohima, Dimapur.
- Nearest Airport at: Dimapur.
- Nearest Railway stations: Dimapur, Bokajan.
10. MOUNT PAONA
Situated in the Barail Range of Peren District, Mt Paona is one of the most mountainous area of the state. The ighest peak is 2062 meter in highet. A famous site for Great Oriental Pied Hornbill, Brown Hornbill and Grey Sibia along with Blyth’s Tragopan.
- Nearest Cities: Kohima, Dimapur.
- Nearest Airport at: Dimapur.
- Nearest railway stations: Dimapur, Bokajan.
OTHER IMPORTANT BIRD WATCHING SITES
COMMON BIRD SPECIES
Lesser Whistling Teal, Lesser Tree Duck, Black Eagle, Amur Falcon, Manipur Bush Quail, Mountain Bamboo Partridge, Blyth’s Tragopan, Kaleej Pheasant, Red Jungle Fowl, Mrs Hume’s Pheasant, Grey Peacock Pheasant, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Great Hill Barbet, Jungle Crow, Yellow-Throated Laughing-Thrush, Stripped Laughing-Thrush, Streak Throated Barwing, White-Naped Yuhina, Baya Weaver, House Sparrow.
- Doyang Reservvoir : Wokha District.
- Shilloi Lake : Phek District.
- Phutsero-Chizami : Phek District.
- Mount Japhu : Kohima District.
COMMON BIRD SPECIES
Lesser Whistling Teal, Lesser Tree Duck, Black Eagle, Amur Falcon, Manipur Bush Quail, Mountain Bamboo Partridge, Blyth’s Tragopan, Kaleej Pheasant, Red Jungle Fowl, Mrs Hume’s Pheasant, Grey Peacock Pheasant, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Great Hill Barbet, Jungle Crow, Yellow-Throated Laughing-Thrush, Stripped Laughing-Thrush, Streak Throated Barwing, White-Naped Yuhina, Baya Weaver, House Sparrow.
RARE AND ENDANGERED BIRD SPECIES
Great Cormorant, Oriental Darter, Great White-Bellied Heron, White Winged Wood Duck, Black-Shouldered Kite, Wood Snipe, Green Imperial Pigeon, Pale-Capped Pigeon, Large Hawk Cuckoo, Grass Owl, Spot-Bellied Eagle Owl, Khasi Hills Swift, Brown Hornbill, Rufous-Necked Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Giant Hornbill, Yellow-Rumped Honeyguide, Blue-Napped Pitta, Bank Myna, Red-Billed Blue Magpie, Brown-Capped Laughing Thrush, Beautiful Sibia, Purple Cochoa, Green Cochoa, Beautiful Nuthatch.
By Pradyut Pawan Gogoi in collaboration Rituraj Burhagohain
Photography by Keshab Rabha
Great Cormorant, Oriental Darter, Great White-Bellied Heron, White Winged Wood Duck, Black-Shouldered Kite, Wood Snipe, Green Imperial Pigeon, Pale-Capped Pigeon, Large Hawk Cuckoo, Grass Owl, Spot-Bellied Eagle Owl, Khasi Hills Swift, Brown Hornbill, Rufous-Necked Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Giant Hornbill, Yellow-Rumped Honeyguide, Blue-Napped Pitta, Bank Myna, Red-Billed Blue Magpie, Brown-Capped Laughing Thrush, Beautiful Sibia, Purple Cochoa, Green Cochoa, Beautiful Nuthatch.
By Pradyut Pawan Gogoi in collaboration Rituraj Burhagohain
Photography by Keshab Rabha
