Nameri National Park - Assam’s Untamed Wilderness

Nestled in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, Nameri National Park lies in Sonitpur district, Assam, covering a lush 200 sq. km expanse. Known as "The Last Refuge of the White-Winged Wood Duck", this park is one of Assam’s most pristine and lesser-explored wildlife sanctuaries. Established as Assam’s third national park, Nameri shares its northeastern boundary with the Pakke (Pakhui) Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh, forming a crucial transboundary conservation landscape.

Crisscrossed by the Jia-Bhoroli River and its tributaries—Diji, Dinai, Doigurung, Nameri, Dikorai, and Khari—the park’s vibrant ecosystem is also dotted with seasonal jheels during monsoon months. These waterways, often turbulent during heavy rainfall, add a dramatic charm to the terrain.

Wildlife and Biodiversity

Nameri boasts an incredibly rich faunal diversity. It supports a healthy prey base including sambar, barking deer, wild boar, hog deer, and even free-ranging gaur. These species support a population of tigers, leopards, and dholes, thriving due to the park’s connectivity with adjacent forests.

As per the 2002 census, the park recorded 26 tigers, highlighting its importance as a predator habitat.

Notable mammals found in Nameri include:

• Asiatic Elephant

• Clouded Leopard

• Sloth Bear

• Hispid Hare

• Capped Langur

• Slow Loris

• Binturong

• Burmese Ferret Badger

Birdwatcher’s Paradise

Nameri is internationally renowned as a vital habitat for the critically endangered White-Winged Wood Duck. With around 150 remaining breeding pairs in the wild, a significant population thrives here in secluded forest pools.

Other rare and beautiful birds found include:

• White-Cheeked Partridge

• Great, Wreathed & Rufous-Necked Hornbills

• Oriental Hobby & Amur Falcon

• Silver-Backed Needletail

• Pallas’s, Grey-Headed & Lesser Fish Eagles

• Jerdon’s Babbler & Sultan Tit

• Ibisbill & Long-Billed Plover

Bird enthusiasts can spot over 350 avian species, making Nameri a dream destination for ornithologists and photographers.

Reptilian Residents

Nameri is also home to an array of reptiles, including:

• King Cobra & Indian Cobra

• Pit Vipers

• Assam Roofed Turtle

• Indian Flapshell & Softshell Turtles

• Keeled Box Turtle

• Monitor Lizard

• Common Blind Snake

• Myanmarese Python

Best Time to Visit

The ideal time to explore Nameri is from November to March, when the climate is pleasant, and the park is most accessible for jungle treks, birdwatching, and river rafting.

How to Reach Nameri National Park

• By Road: Located just 35 km from Tezpur (on the north bank of the Brahmaputra), Nameri is well-connected to Guwahati (220 km) and Jorhat (215 km). Kaziranga National Park is also nearby at a distance of 125 km.

• By Rail: The nearest railway station is Rangapara, only 21 km away.

• By Air: The closest airport is Salonibari (Tezpur Airport), about 10 km from the town.

Regular buses and taxis are available from Tezpur, which serves as the main access point.

Where to Stay Near Nameri

1. Nameri Eco Camp
   Location: Potasali, Torajan Village, Sonitpur
   Facilities: Jungle tents & cottages with attached bathrooms
   Contact: +91-9854019932, +91-94351-45563 / +91-94352-50025

2. Blue Star Hotel – Jonaki Building, Tezpur | Ph: +91-3712-220682

3. Oasis Hotel – Jonaki Road, Tezpur | Ph: +91-3712-220724

4. Hotel Luit – Tezpur | Ph: +91-3712-222083

5. Hotel Green View – Main Road, Tezpur | Ph: +91-3712-223685

6. Kanyapur Hotel – Hatibilkhana, Tezpur | Ph: +91-3712-220261

7. Assam (Bhoroli) Angling & Conservation Association – Tezpur Station Club
   Contact: Mr. S.B. Dutta | Ph: +91-3712-220854 | Email: assamangling@yahoo.com

Whom to Contact for Visit

• Divisional Forest Officer
  Western Assam Wildlife Division, Dolabari, P.O. Tezpur, Sonitpur
  Phone: +91-3712-268054 | Email: ripman@gwi.vsnl.net.in

• Range Officer, Nameri Wildlife Range
  Potasali, Sonitpur
  Phone: +91-3714-270558 (Office), +91-3714-268003 (Res.)