Context: For the first time in nearly two decades, a tiger has been captured by camera traps in Arunachal Pradesh’s D’Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary.
About D’Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary:
What it is?
- The D’Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary is a unique protected area spanning 190 sq. km. It is renowned for its riverine island ecosystem, characterized by vast alluvial grasslands that provide a critical habitat for a variety of rare, threatened, and endangered species.
Location:
- State: Arunachal Pradesh, India (East Siang district).
- Proximity: Located near Pasighat, the district headquarters. It is accessible via the Anchalghat and Borguli ranges.
History:
- Established: The sanctuary was established in 1978.
- Naming: It is named after Daying Ering, a former Union Minister and influential chairman of the Ering Commission, which played a pivotal role in shaping India’s Panchayati Raj system.
Key Features:
- Riverine Landscape: The sanctuary is defined by approximately 100 km of river courses, functioning essentially as a series of riverine islands.
- Habitat Composition: It is one of a kind in the state, with 75–80% of the area consisting of alluvial grasslands. The remaining area comprises riverine forests mixed with bamboo and secondary woodland.
- Topography: The altitude is relatively low, ranging from 135 m to 140 m above Mean Sea Level (MSL), gradually decreasing from north to south.
- Rich Biodiversity:
- Mammals: Home to tigers, leopards, Asian elephants, Asiatic buffaloes, Chinese pangolins, and the endangered hispid hare.
- Aquatic Life: The river courses house the magnificent Gangetic dolphin.
- Avifauna: A premier birdwatching destination, it hosts rare species like the Bengal Florican (migratory), black-breasted parrotbill, and various babblers.
Significance:
- The return of the tiger after 20 years serves as a biological indicator of a healthy, recovering ecosystem and the success of community-based conservation efforts.
- The sanctuary protects critical riverine habitats that are increasingly rare in the Himalayan foothills, supporting both terrestrial and aquatic megafauna.
