Balphakram National Park

Balpakram National Park is a national park in the south of Garo Hills in Meghalaya, India, located at an altitude of about 910 m (3,000 ft) close to the international border with Bangladesh. It was inaugurated in December 1987 and provides habitat for barking deer, Asian golden cat, Bengal tiger, marbled cat, wild water buffalo, red panda and Indian elephant. Balpakram means 'land of the eternal wind' according to the myth of the Garo people.

Balpakram National Park
Balpakram Canyon
LocationSouth Garo Hills of Meghalaya
Nearest cityBaghmara
Coordinates25°25′N 90°52′E
Area220 km2 (85 sq mi)
Established27 December 1987
Governing bodyGovernment of Meghalaya, Government of India

UNESCO tentative list

The Central government of India has nominated the Garo Hills Conservation Area (GHCA), straddling South and West Garo Hills district in Meghalaya, for a World Heritage Site, which includes Balpakram National Park.[1][2] It has been listed in UNESCO World Heritage tentative list.[3]

Flora and fauna

Balpakram National Park is home to wide species of plants and animals. Its vegetation consists of subtropical, tropical deciduous trees and pitcher plant.

Species recorded include Indian elephant, chital deer, wild water buffalo, red panda, Bengal tiger, and marbled cat. The rivers and lakes in the wildlife reserve are home to various species of birds.

Balpakram myths

Balpakram has many mysterious and unnatural phenomena that cannot be satisfactorily explained by modern science and logic. A Schima wallichii tree has a depression on its trunk. Local people believe that it was caused by spirits that take rest here on their way to their abode of the dead and tether animals killed on their funeral. Surprisingly a few years ago, when one tree fell due to strong winds, another tree close to it started getting the same symptoms.

Visitor information

The best time to come to Balpakram National Park is from November to May when the weather is pleasant without rainfall. The park can be reached from Shillong by road from Guwahati airport to Tura and Baghmara. Entry fees will have to be paid at the park's gate.

References
  1. "Garo hills in queue for world heritage tag". The Telegraph India. 22 September 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  2. "UNESCO World Heritage Site opportunity for Garo Hills Conservation Area". The Shillong Times. 23 September 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  3. "Garo Hills Conservation Area (GHCA)". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
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