The quest of the natives to preserve and safeguard
Key Takeaways
When visiting Singchun in Arunachal Pradesh, one must ensure to explore the Sharuwa Pham area which is just 18 km away and meet the two Buguns. Yes, that is correct! We say ‘two’ because the special feature of the Bugun community is not only its people but also a unique bird which was discovered and nomenclatured as Liochicla Bugunorum in 2006. It is a small, colourful and extremely beautiful bird which, interestingly, is found only in the Sharuwa Pham area near Eagle Nest Sanctuary.
But who discovered it? Well, it is worth mentioning that Ramanna Athreya, a great bird lover, an Astro-Physicist & wildlife biologist at the Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (ISSER), Pune with the help of a local inhabitant, Shri Indi Glow, discovered the bird and nomenclatured it as Liocichla bugunorum (Scientific name) or Bugun Liocichla (Local name) on 25th may 2006. The bird lives in pairs and approximately 15 pairs have been found by far. Though at the verge of extinction, the best time to see the birds is during the months of April and May.Adjacent to the above sanctuary Bugun Liocichla bird is found. The Sharuwa Pham and Lachhan Pham areas have been declared as Singchung Bugun Village Community Reserve Forest (NGO) in the notification No. CWL/D/21 (233/2016-17) on 24th January 2017 and area covered 17 sq. km. It was carried out successfully because of the great effort of Millo Tasser IFS Divisional Forest Officer Shergaon Division West Kameng District Arunachal Pradesh, Dr. Ramana Threya, Associate Professor, an Astronomer & Acologist at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune and Dr. Umesh Srinivasan, MBBS Post Doctoral Research, Princeton University, USA and their teammates consultation with Singchung village Council. The Singchung Village Community Reserve Forest has also been rewarded by the state and the centre. Some boys are engaged under this NGO to monitor the area. Apart from its natural scenic beauty this sanctuary is a shelter to various kinds of wildlife. Elephants, Red Panda, Bear, Pison, Tigers, Snakes and Reptiles are found in bulk. Some rare species of animals are also found in this wildlife sanctuary. The butterflies found in the area are a major attraction to tourists. But the main cause of attraction of the tourists are the birds. More than 450 species of birds are available in this sanctuary.
Singchung has become a place of attraction for both domestic and foreign tourists. One of the most prominent attractions of the place is The Eagle Nest Sanctuary which is just 22 km away from Singchung and was declared as a wildlife sanctuary on 18th October, 1989. It is situated in the Himalayan foothills of the west Kameng district and is spread over an area of 217 sq. km. Apart from its natural scenic beauty this sanctuary is home to various kinds of wild animals such as Elephants, Red Pandas, Bear, Pison, Tigers, Snakes and Reptiles. Some rare species are also found in this wildlife sanctuary. The kinds of butterflies flying in the area are an attraction to tourists. The main attraction of the tourists are the birds. More than 450 species of birds are available in this sanctuary. Visitors from other countries have been visiting this sanctuary since 2004. Tourists from Netherlands, USA, Switzerland, UK, Germany, Singapore and Hongkong frequently visit this sanctuary. The orthodontists and the bird lovers make their routine visit to this new sanctuary. The Sharuwa Pham and Lachhan Pham areas were declared as Singchung Village Community Reserve Forest (NGO) on 24th January 2017. “Singchung Village Community Reserve Forest” and “Eagle Nest Sanctuary” have proved to be a new area of study for science students and researchers.
There are two registered Non-Governmental Organisations in Bugun community namely, All Bugun Youth Association (ABYA) and Bugun Welfare Society (BWS). Shri Indi Glow is the President of Bugun Welfare Society (BWS) who is also an honorary member of Oriental Bird Club. He guides and provides all the necessary facilities to the visitors to the “Eagle Nest Wildlife Sanctuary” in different locations. Three small lakes are found nearby where the bird Bugun Liochichla lives. One of the lake's names is “Sharuwa Khabong” (Sharuwa means name of the hill and Khabong means lake). Tenga Foot-Hills road goes through Singchung Bugun Village Community Reserve Forest and Eagle Nest Wildlife Sanctuary. This road was connected from Assam to West Kameng and Tawang districts before the 1962 Chinese aggression.
Subscribe to Blog for updates