State

Mizoram

History

Altitude (above M.S.L.)

200 - 1200 m

A Chieftain controlled this area until 1950. The main land use at that time was shift-cultivation. To conserve the fast disappearing natural ecosystem, Dampa was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1974. It was included in the Tiger Project Network in 1994.

Area

Total

500 km²

Core

340 km²

Buffer

160 km²

Flora and Fauna

Dampa is a biodiversity hotspot with a variety of flora and fauna of Indo-Malayan origin. The lower reaches consist of deciduous forests whereas natural grassland and evergreen forests are found at higher altitudes. An estimated 5 tigers are found in this reserve.

Temperature

3.5°C - 35°C

Rainfall (per annum)

2000 - 2500 mm

Seasons

Pleasant and warm climate throughout the year with moderate chill at high altitude during November and December.

Fauna

Tiger, leopard, clouded leopard, elephant, wild dog, sambar, barking deer, gaur, sloth bear, hoolock gibbon, binturong, porcupine, slow loris, jungle cat, pangolin, black bear, giant squirrel, common langur, rhesus macaque, wild boar, otter, etc.

Forest Types

Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests,
Tropical Evergreen Forests,
Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests,
Sub-Montane Grassland

Funds

Insufficient & delayed

Management Objectives

Staff

Untrained & understaffed

The management concentrates on habitat improvement by planting utility tree species and by developing water holes. Fire lines are being created as the surrounding villages practice slash and burn cultivation.

Problems

As the reserve is located along the Indo-Bangladesh border, crime is common. Provision of adequate security to the staff of the reserve is therefore essential. Human encroachment along the international border is a constant threat but currently under control.

External Influences (1991 census)

Villages

20

Human population

10,000

Livestock numbers

Low