Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary
Wildlife sanctuary in Mizoram, India
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary (also spelled Thorangtland) is a wildlife sanctuary located in Lunglei district in the Indian state of Mizoram. It preserves subtropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forest ecosystems and lies close to the India–Bangladesh border.[1][2]
| Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
  Location in Mizoram, India  Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary (India) | |
 Interactive map of Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary | |
| Location | Lunglei district, Mizoram, India |
| Nearest city | Lunglei |
| Coordinates | 23°18′N 92°33′E |
| Area | 50 km2 (19 sq mi) |
| Designation | Wildlife sanctuary |
| Established | 23 April 2002; 2 November 2015 (updated notification); eco-sensitive zone notified 25 June 2019 |
| Governing body | Department of Environment & Forests, Government of Mizoram |
Location and geography
History
The forest tract was first recorded as Reserve Forest in 1982. A state notification declared part of it as Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary on 23 April 2002, with an area of 50 km2.[1] A subsequent notification on 2 November 2015 revised the sanctuary's recorded area to 180.0 km2. In June 2019, an eco-sensitive zone surrounding the sanctuary was formalised by the Government of India.[3][2]
Flora and fauna
The sanctuary acts as a corridor for the migration of elephants from Bangladesh.[4]
Important wild animals of the region include the Barking deer (Sakhi), Gaur/Indian bison (Ramsial), Himalayan black bear, Hoolock gibbon (Hauhuk), Leaf monkey (Dawr), Leopard (Keite), Rhesus macaque (Zawng), Sambar (Sazuk), Tiger (Sakei), and Wild boar (Sanghal); while notable birds comprise the Bhutan peacock pheasant (Varihaw), Great Indian hornbill (Vapual), Imperial pigeon (Bullut), Khalij pheasant (Vahrit), Pied hornbill (Vahai), Red jungle fowl (Ramar), and Wreathed hornbill (Kawlhawk).[5]
A study in the Journal of Threatened Taxa documented 36 species of pteridophytes (ferns and fern-allies) within the sanctuary.[6]
Conservation and management
Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary is administered by the Forest Department of Mizoram. The eco-sensitive zone notified in 2019 aims to regulate development around the boundary and reduce pressure on the habitat.[3] Recent management guidelines highlight community participation, scientific wildlife monitoring and habitat protection as priorities.[1]
Visitor information
The sanctuary is accessible from Lunglei. Entry permissions and visitor arrangements are available through the Mizoram Forest Department and state tourism services.[7]