6 Best Protected Reserves for Red Pandas in India

International Red Panda Day is being celebrated on 21st September 2021. And I am glad to share the 6 best protected reserves for Red Pandas in India.

Known by the scientific name of Ailuridae, red pandas are one of the rare and endangered species in the world. They are a native of the eastern Himalayan region and Southern China. The Himalayan region includes parts of Nepal, Tibet, India, Bhutan, Myanmar. In India, the reserves for red panda are spread across certain areas of Arunachal Pradesh, the northern part of west bengal, including Darjeeling and Kalimpong, Sikkim, and Meghalaya. India has currently 20 protected reserves for the red pandas.

Nokrek National Park in Meghalaya

Located near the town of Tura, Nokrek National Park is one of the best reserves for red pandas in India. Spread across an area of 47.5 sq km, it is significant in hosting a good amount of the population of red pandas. You can enjoy a fun time sighting the red pandas and appreciating their activities in their natural habitat. Lush greenery and dense plantations allure wildlife admirers and photographers. Along with the red pandas, the park also serves as the residence of the Asian elephant, clouded leopard, golden cat, and pangolin. Bird watchers can also spend a wonderful time spotting numerous species of birds like green pigeons, slender-billed vultures, hornbill, pheasants, and the rare species of citrus-indica.

Best time to visit Nokrek National Park: From October till May. Monsoons are to be strictly avoided as the area experiences heavy rainfall.

How to reach Nokrek National Park: The nearest airport is at Guwahati. You can hire a cab or board a bus to reach Nokrek, 128 km from the airport. The nearest railway station is Guwahati; traveling distance being 160 km by road. You can also hire a cab or board a bus from Shillong.

Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh

Situated in the Changlang district of the state, Namdapha National Park is ranked high among the best protected reserves for red pandas in India. Spread over an area of about 1985 sq km, it is also the fourth-largest national park in India. The park is considered to be a unique place to spot the red pandas. The biodiversity of the park is exotic housing 1400 species of animals and birds and about 1000 species of trees and other plantations. If you are lucky then you may spot Namdapha, the flying squirrel. Birds like the Blue-eared kingfisher, white-tailed fish eagle, Himalayan wood-owl, and pied falconet reside in the forest area.

Best time to visit Namdapha National Park: From October till April.

How to reach Namdapha National Park: The nearest airport is at Guwahati or you can try the Dibrugarh airport. The nearest railway station is Tinsukia. You can hire a cab or board a bus from these places to reach Namdapha.

Neora Valley National Park in West Bengal

Situated in the Kalimpong district of the state, Neora Valley National Park is one of the prominent forest reserves for red pandas in India. You can find an abundance of red pandas in this region. Enriched with biodiversity, it is a perfect place to spot innumerable species of animals and birds. Spread across an area of 88 sq km, the place encompasses the Rachela Pass; almost 105600 feet above sea level. Birds like Red-headed bullfinch, Darjeeling woodpecker, and golden-throated barbet flock into the forest area.

Best time to visit Neora Valley National Park: From mid-September till mid-June. Please note that the park remains closed from 16^th June to 15^th September.

How to reach Neora Valley National Park: The nearest airport is at Bagdogra; from there you can hire a cab or board a bus to reach the park. The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri or Darjeeling. Buses and cabs are available from the station to the park.

Singalila National Park in West Bengal

Located at an altitude of about 7,000 feet above sea level, Singalila National Park is one of the popular reserves for red pandas in India. Spread across an area of about 78.6 sq km, it serves as a marvelous spot to observe the red pandas. There is about an estimated number of 42 red pandas in the park. Situated in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, the park has phenomenal flora and fauna. You can find many orchids, rhododendrons, and magnolias inside the forest area. About 100 species of birds are said to reside in the area. Animals like clouded leopards, Himalayan black bears, serow, and takin can also be spotted in the park.

Best time to visit Singalila National Park: From mid-September till mid-June. Please note that the park remains closed from 16^th June to 15^th September.

How to reach Singalila National Park: The nearest airport is at Bagdogra; from there you can hire a cab or board a bus to reach the park. The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri or the Ghum railway station. Buses and cabs are available from the station to the park. From Darjeeling, you can hire a shared jeep or a cab to reach Manebhanjan. The jeep safari for the park starts from this place.

Balpakram National Park in Meghalaya

Located on the banks of the river Simsang, Balpakram National Park is the epitome of beauty and thrilling wildlife. It is one of the picturesque reserves for red pandas in India. Situated in the South Garo Hills District, it stretches across an area of 220 sq km. You must visit the park to spot the rare red pandas. The park is always beaming with wildlife. The popular animal species being black bears, leopards, bison, elephants, tigers, golden cats, baboons, and monkeys.

Best time to visit Balpakram National Park: From November till May. The weather is pleasant and soothing with very less or no rainfall.

How to reach Balpakram National Park: The nearest airport is at Shillong or Guwahati; from there you can hire a cab or board a bus to reach the park. The nearest railway station is at Guwahati; well connected with buses and cabs. If you are staying in Shillong, you can hire a cab to reach the park.

Kanchenjunga National Park in Sikkim

The name of the park is derived from Mt. Kanchenjunga; the third highest mountain peak in the world. Spanning over an area of about 1784 sq km, Kanchenjunga National Park is one of the best places in India to spot the red pandas. The other key attraction of the park is its adjacent natural beauty adorned with plains, gorgeous valleys, gleaming lakes, glaciers, and mountain ranges. Several animal species like snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, Tibetan wild ass, Himalayan blue sheep, serow, and goral reside inside the park.

Best time to visit Kanchenjunga National Park: From March till May or from September till mid-December. It is best to avoid the winters and the monsoon season.

How to reach Kanchenjunga National Park: The nearest airport is at Bagdogra; from there you can hire a cab or board a bus to reach the park. The nearest railway station is at New Jalpaiguri; well connected with buses and cabs. if you are staying in Darjeeling or Kalimpong, then you can travel by bus or cab to reach the park.

Hope you have enjoyed reading about the scintillating reserves for red pandas in India. Do please share your experiences of spotting red pandas in any wildlife sanctuaries or parks.

Featured Image by Here and now, unfortunately, ends my journey on Pixabay from Pixabay