Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary

Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary Latest News

A proposed ₹23.7 crore ecotourism project in Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, Meghalaya, has triggered opposition from local groups and environmental activists.

About Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location: Situated in Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya, within the Eastern Himalayan Global Biodiversity Hotspot.
• Topography: Features undulating plains, low hills, and rugged terrain shaped by the Umtrew River and its tributaries (Umran, Umling, Umtasor).
• Main river: Umtrew River, forming the western boundary of the sanctuary.
• Fauna: Home to over 400 bird species, including the endangered Rufous-necked Hornbill, and mammals like the Clouded Leopard, Elephant, and Himalayan Black Bear.
• Flora: Dominant species include Shorea robusta, Tectona grandis, Terminalia myriocarpa, and Gmelina arborea.
• Legal and Conservation Status: Established in 1981 as a protected sanctuary under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
  • Rated as the best-managed protected area in Northeast India in the 2021 Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) Report.

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Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary FAQs

Q1. Where is Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary located?
Ans: It is located in the Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya, in northeastern India.

Q2. What type of ecosystem is protected in Nongkhyllem WLS?
Ans: It protects a sub-tropical forest ecosystem, rich in flora and fauna, including evergreen and semi-evergreen forests.

Q3. Which endangered species can be found in Nongkhyllem WLS?
Ans: Species like the Hoolock Gibbon, Clouded Leopard, and Blyth’s Tragopan (state bird of Nagaland) are found here.

Source: TH