Mouling National Park is a national park in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. It is mainly located in the Upper Siang district and includes parts of the West Siang and East Siang districts. The park was established in 1972 as the second national park in the state, following Namdapha National Park. Mouling National Park and the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary are both part of the Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve.

Name

The park is named after Mouling Peak, which is close to the park. The word "Mouling" comes from the Adi language and is thought to mean "red poison" or "red blood." This may refer to the red latex from a type of tree that grows in the area. Some people believe the region has many poisonous snakes, but this has not been confirmed because the natural environment there has not been studied much. In the Adi language, "Moulíng" is made up of two parts: "mo," which means soil or land, and "yalíng," which means red. Together, these parts form the meaning "red soil."

Geography

The national park covers an area of about 483 km² and is part of the western section of the Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve. The land is rough and rocky, with elevations ranging from 750 meters to 3,064 meters at the highest point, Mouling Peak. The Siyom River runs along the western edge of the park, and smaller rivers like the Siring, Krobong, Semong, and Subong flow into the Siang River near the park’s eastern border.

The park is managed by the Divisional Forest Office in Jengging. The closest major towns are Along and Pasighat, located 130 km and 185 km away from the park, respectively. Roads do not reach the park because of its remote location and poor communication systems. The nearest airport is in Along. The Forest Department’s ability to manage the park is limited by the lack of roads, and all offices are located outside the park. The park’s boundaries were determined using aerial surveys and natural features like the Siyom River on the west. However, some parts of the boundary have not yet been fully marked. The park includes two areas: the Ramsing Range, which can be reached from Bomdo village, and the Jengging Range, accessible from Lissing village.

The region is very humid, receiving about 2,343 mm of rainfall each year with no clear dry season. Temperatures at lower elevations range from 15°C to 38°C. In higher areas, winter snowfall occurs. At elevations above 2,200 meters, temperatures range from 4.2°C to 17.7°C.

Biology and ecology

The area near Mouling National Park is known for its rich biodiversity, with many different types of habitats. It is often called the state's cradle of biodiversity. The park's elevation ranges from 400 meters to over 3000 meters, creating a transition between tropical forests at lower elevations and temperate forests above 2800 meters.

The park's core area has remained largely untouched by human activities because it is difficult to reach due to poor or no roads. Stories about the forest have also helped keep it protected. Evidence shows that jhum cultivation, a type of farming, was practiced in the past, mainly in the northern and southeastern parts of the park. Animals such as takin, goral, Indian leopard, Bengal tiger, barking deer, serow, and red panda live in the area.