Biodiversity Heritage Site

It is a Medicinal Plant Conservation Areas

The fish Schistura hiranyakeshi was spotted for the first time in a pond at the Mahadev Temple at Amboli in Sindhudurg district , Western Ghats The 2.11 ha area has now been declared as ‘Shistura Hiranyakeshi Biological Heritage Site’ in April 2021. It has become the 5th such heritage site in the state of Maharashtra. The fish was found by the team led by Tejas Thackeray, a wildlife researcher, and son of Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray.

Habitat for Himalayan Newt, which is an evolutionary significant species originated during the early-middle Miocene and endemic to the Indo-Nepal Himalayan region.

Mawtneng BHS is a vital area for biodiversity conservation due to its rich floral and faunal diversity. The Mawtneng BMC is responsible for management of BHS under guidance of Meghalaya SBB and in accordance with BHS guidelines issued by NBA.

It is a Medicinal Plant Conservation Areas

It offers refuge to Black Softshell Turtle Nilssonia nigricans listed under Appendix I of CITES and extinct  in the wild category of IUCN.

Habitat of nearly 100 species of avifauna with other Schedule-I fauna like Golden Monitor Lizard, smooth coated Otter, Golden Jackal etc and other rare animals.

Sirpur lake is an important habitat of Migratory birds and is also declared as Ramsar Site and Important Bird Area, which is very important from Biological point of view and which needs to be protected and it is a source of livelihood for Local communities.

This area is vital for biodiversity conservation due to its rich floral and faunal diversity. There are about 175 floral species and 177 faunal species present in Sirpur Lake, which includes 130 species of birds, 14 species of reptiles, 34 Butterfly species and other animals.

This comprises 1135 ha of Longku Forest and another 200 ha watershed areas of Joulangpang-Khoukao waterfalls. The Rongmei tribes of Dailong and other villages of Tamenglong district were conserving forest in the form of sacred groves known as “Raengan”, meaning gateway conservation (resting) site of the farmers which is precursor to all conservation activities of these tribes in Tamenglong district. The type of habitats includes Montane Wet Temperate Forest, Tropical Evergreen Forest, and Semi Evergreen Forest and Riparian forest. The area contains more than 159  plant species including 16 species of ethno-medicinal value, used by the local tribes. This includes the globally rare and endemic species of Indian wild orange (Citrus indica) and Jewel orchid (Anoectochilus albolineatus). A total of 101 avian species including the 2 endemic species: Grey sibia (Heterophasia gracillis) and Darjeeling woodpecker (Dendrocopos darjellensi), 8 mammalian species, 10 species of snakes have been recorded including rare and endemic Cherrapunji Keelback (Hebius xenura).

A patch of Betula utilis or Bhojpatra trees wilh some intersp~rsed Willow trees Dominant shrubs and herbs: Rosa species, Lonicera species, Sorbus species, Agropyron longearistatum, Festuca species, Primula denticulata, Polygonatum verticillatum, Plantago asiatica, Heracleum candicans, Berberis species, Artemisia species, Bunium Persicum etc. Major faunal species, in the surrounding area: Snow Leopard, Brown Bear, Tibetan ·Wolf, Ibex etc

The site has unique geological and palaeo-botanical features. Well preserved angiosperm wood fossil representing the existence of a forest dating back to the late Jurassic age.

It is an urban wetland providing refuge to 8 mammalian species, 170 avifauna (migratory and resident), 46 herpeto-fauna, 9 varieties of fish, 143 invertebrates and 250 species of rare and common plants.

Cotoneaster species, Lonicera species, Sorbus species, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromusasper, Fesruca species, Poa species, Primula denticulata, Picrorhiza kurroa, Anemone species. Iris species, Artemisia species. Lonicera spocies, Bunium persicum, Jurinea macrocephala etc. Important Horal species recorded in the area: Picrorhiza kurroa, Dactylorhiza haragirea, Aconitum heterophyllum, Podophyllum hexandrum and Saussurea costus (cultivated). Major faunal species, in the region: Snow Leopard, Brown Bear, Black Bear, Tibetan Wolf, Himalayan Marmot, Ibex and Royle's Pika.

The land is a mangrove swamp with tidal influence and sustains littoral fauna. The peripheral part, the land water interface, is populated with Saccharum spontaneum, Phragmites karka, Vetiveria zizanioides, effective in controlling erosion. The char land inside is populated with Avicennia marina, A. officianalis, Sonneratia apetala, , Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Aegiceras corniculatum, Excoecaria agallocha and mangrove associates lke Derris scandens Thespesia populnea, Cryptocoryne ciliata, Acanthus ilicifolius, Clerodendron inerme, Dolichos sp. etc, It also has remarkable avifauna including Microcarbo niger, Phalacrocorax fuscicollis, Egretta sp, Nycticorax nycticorax, Ardeola grayii besides the other vertebrates like Varanus bengalensis and Herpestes sp.

Majuli River Island in River Brahmaputra is the largest river island in India. The fertile floodplains and highly productive wetlands support a wide variety of resident and migratory birds. More than 250 species of birds have been recorded. These include the two globally endangered species of vultures (Oriental White-backed Vulture and Slender Billed Vulture), two endangered species (Greater Adjutant and Bengal Florican) and 9 vulnerable species (Spot-billed Pelican, Lesser Adjutant, Baer's Pochard, Pallas's Fish-Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, Swamp Francolin, Marsh Babbler, Jerdon's Babbler and Black-breasted Parrotbill). Majuli has been categorized as an Important Bird Area (IBA).

It is eminent for its rich ecological and cultural heritage. It is also famous for producing 100 varieties of paddy without application of fertilisers and pesticides.

Main trees are Himalayan Birch (Betula utilis) and Blue Pine (Pinus wallichiiana). A few middle aged trees of West Himalayan Spruce (Picea smithiana), Deodar (Cedrus deodara) and Juniper (Juniperus species) are interspersed in the proposed patch. Besides. Willow (Salix species) and Sea Buckthorn (Jlippophae salicifolia) are also present in the site. The proposed site also includes a very good patch of grassy area, which supports a very good population of important medicinal and aromatic plants like Picrorhzza kurroa. Dactylorhiza hacagirea, Aconitum heterophyllum, Podophyllum hexandrum, Aconitum violaceum, Bunium persicum, Hippophae rhamnoides etc.

Intertidal coastal stretch of nearly 7.3 km provides the habitat of Ocypod macrocera, Dotilla myctiroides, Uca lactea, Varanus sp, Herpestes sp, Canis aureus, Felis chaus and many other varieties.

It is a centre established for conservation and rehabilitation of critically endangered species of Gharial.

The highest natural waterfall in Tripura. Critical habitat for rare wildlife. Rich in floristic diversity. Habitat for many stream water favored fauna

Tungkyong Dho (Lake) is believed to be one of the oldest natural dho (lake) directly related to the Hee-Youngmingmoo clan of Lepcha community in Dzongu. Dzongu valley is a specially protected area for aboriginal/ indigenous primitive tribes considered to be the original inhabitant of Sikkim called as Lepchas and a very unique cultural and historical significance. The Lepchas, as in other communities have their own share of clan or caste and are nature worshipper and custodians since time immemorial. The Lepchas sanctify this sacred lake yearly through ‘MUN PUDIM’ and through lama also.

The area harbours considerable number of plant species including Acer oblongum, Albizia sp, Alnus nepalensis, Bischofia javanica, Castanopsis tribuloides, Cryptomeria japonica, Duabanga grandiflora, Juglans regia, Macaranga pustulata, and Schima wallichii. Some of the mammals found in the area are Asia black bear, rhesus monkey, porcupine, palm civet, flying squirrel, barking deer, goral, squirrel, yellow-throated marten, jackal, jungle cat, otter, wild-boar, pangolin, etc.

 It also harbour numerous bird species like like black bulbul, black drongo, great barbet, grey treepie, chestnut crowned laughing thrush, common kestrel, blue whistling thrush, serpent eagle, long-tailored minivet, oriental magpie, oriental turtle dove, white crested laughing thrush, etc.