The Nokrek National Park, which is the main part of the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, is a national park in Meghalaya, India. It is located about 2 km from Tura Peak in the West Garo Hills district. In May 2009, UNESCO added the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve and the Nokrek National Park to its list of Biosphere Reserves. This addition included the Balpakram National Park in the South Garo Hills district. The Nokrek area is known for having many different types of plants and animals, making it an important place for biodiversity. The park was created in 1986 and covers an area of about 47.48 km² (18.33 square miles). It is managed by the Northern Nokrek Range and the Southern Nokrek Range, which are part of the East and West Garo Hills Wildlife Division under the Meghalaya State Forest Department of the Government of Meghalaya. The Nokrek National Park is located in the center of the West, East, and North Garo Hills districts.

Geography

The entire Biosphere Reserve has a hilly landscape. The main types of rock found here include gneiss, granulite, migmatite, amphibolite, and banded iron formation, with basic and ultra-basic rock formations also present. In most areas of the Biosphere Reserve, the soil is red loam. However, in some places, the soil may be clayey or sandy loam. The soils in the Biosphere Reserve have high levels of organic matter and nitrogen but low levels of phosphate and potash. The area contains sedimentary rock that is unevenly distributed and made up of pebble bed, sandstone, and carbon-rich shales.

Most important rivers and streams in the Garo Hills region begin in the Nokrek Range. The Simsang River, which is called Someshwari when it flows into Bangladesh near Baghmara, is the most notable river in this area.

Notable sites

Notable places in the park include Nokrek Peak, Nokrek A'pal, and Matcha Nokpante, which are called the meeting places of tigers. Chandigre Rural Tourist Resort is located 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) from Nokrek Gate. Several waterfalls, such as Wachi Dare and Simsang Dare, are found near Nokrek National Park. Daribokgre village is the last village along the path to the northern part of Nokrek National Park and serves as a base camp for travelers, researchers, and tourists. On the less traveled southern side, the villages of Anchigre and Dana Adugre are the last villages along the way to the southern part of Nokrek National Park. The southern area of the park can also be reached from the nearby Tura Peak Reserved Forest.

Fauna and flora

There are seven primate species in Nokrek. The rare stump-tailed macaque is often seen near the main path to the peak. The pig-tailed macaque is also found in the area. The Western Hoolock gibbon is common, and their calls are heard throughout Nokrek. Camera traps set by the State Forest Department have recorded the Gaur, common leopard, Chinese pangolin, ferret badger, and Asiatic elephant. Many types of snakes are also found in the area, including the Burmese python, king cobra, spectacled cobra, vine snake, ornate flying snake, banded krait, striped keelback, red-necked keelback, bronzeback, viper, and other species. The Nokrek area is an important habitat for the Asian elephant. The park once had eight cat species, ranging from the Royal Bengal tiger to the marbled cat. However, the current status of the tiger is unknown.

Scientists once thought Nokrek had a red panda population that caused global interest. One red panda was accidentally shot by Dr. J. Lao in the 1960s. However, no other sightings have been recorded in recent years. It is generally believed that the red panda seen was brought to the area by Nepali porters, and one animal escaped before being shot.

Nokrek is also an Important Bird Area. Birds found here include the Oriental pied hornbill, great pied hornbill, white-cheeked hill partridge, flavescent bulbul, kalij pheasant, and grey peacock pheasant. Black stork and Amur falcon are seen flying over Nokrek during migration season.

The park has a wide variety of plants. Thick, tall, and lush green forests cover Nokrek. Scientists discovered the origin of Citrus indica (locally called Memang Narang) within Nokrek. This discovery led to the creation of the National Citrus Gene Sanctuary-cum-Biosphere Reserve, which covers 47 km². The area contains wild citrus varieties that help support commercial citrus production.

Administration

The Nokrek National Park is managed by a senior forest officer known as a Divisional Forest Officer or Deputy Conservator of Forests, who is based in Tura, West Garo Hills. This officer is supported by three Forest Range Officers who oversee the Northern, Eastern, and Southern parts of the park, with their offices located in Daribokre, Williamnagar, and Chokpot, respectively. However, the areas outside the main park, called the buffer and transition zones, which cover about 772.52 square kilometers, are controlled by local communities and landowners. The State Forest Department has limited authority over these areas.

Following the announcement of the Eco Sensitive Zone around Nokrek National Park by the Government of India in Notification No. SO2877(E) dated July 3, 2023, a region of 224 kilometers (86 square miles) surrounding the park has been designated as an Eco Sensitive Zone. This area extends 0.272 to 6.976 kilometers from the park’s boundary. A Zonal Master Plan is currently being developed to guide the management of forests, water resources, agriculture, tourism, and community development in the region. All eco-tourism activities must follow the guidelines of the Tourism Masterplan for the Eco Sensitive Zone. New hotels or resorts cannot be built within one kilometer of the park’s edge. Additionally, commercial mining, stone quarrying, stone crushers, major hydro-electric projects, and the discharge of waste into water bodies are strictly prohibited in the immediate buffer zone of the Eco Sensitive Area.

Tourist Lodges & Homestays

Entry to Nokrek National Park is controlled by the State Forest Department. Visitors must pay a fee for entry permits, as set by the Chief Wildlife Warden and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Meghalaya. The entire area is a No-Plastic Zone. Visitors should not bring single-use plastic items, such as disposable water bottles, into the Park. Entry to Daribokgre is managed by the local community.

Accommodation near the Northern Aspect of the National Park includes several options, such as:

• Wildlife Inspection Bungalow, State Forest Department
• A'chik Heritage Pursuit's Cottage
• Daribokgre Nokachik
• Daribokgre Helipad Campsite
• Sakal Aduma Nokachik
• Balkasin Homestay / Bambitpa's Homestay
• Chandigre Rural Tourist Resort
• Dopatchi Homestay, Sasatgre