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Introduction to the Area:

The Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve constitutes an area of 5112 sq.km. in the districts of west Siang, Upper Siang and Dibang valley of Arunachal Pradesh. An area of 4095 sq.km. constitutes the core zone of the B.R. and 1017 sq.km. makes the buffer zone.

Due to the steep terrain combined with difficult weather as well as the lack of communication, the area has a very sparse human population. The approximately 10,000 people who live here are primarily of the Adi, Buddhist and Mishmi tribes with ten sub tribes including the Pasis, Padams, Karkos, Pangis, Simongs, Ashings, Tangams, Komkars, Millangs, Dalbings, Membas, Khambas, and Idu Mishmis.

Salient features:

General Comments:
Overall, the B.R. is almost totally forested with villages and cultivations located on lower slopes and terraces edging the major rivers systems. In some parts, the forest appears as a continuous swath from the sub-tropics to the cold of the tree line. In addition, considerable territory in the BR lies at elevations above the tree line and this area features a very special array of plants and animals.

Two of the most exciting facets relating to the forest here is that in most of the Himalayas outside of Arunachal Pradesh one does not find natural vegetation stretching in an unbroken sequence from the tropics to the mountain tundra. Arunachal Pradesh is the finest stronghold for this type of continuity in the Himalayas. Secondly, in contrast to other areas of the Himalayas outside of Arunachal Pradesh, the B.R. exhibits a wonderful extent of sub-tropical forest. Forests at sub-tropical levels are the most severely altered in the Himalayas and Arunachal Pradesh is the last stronghold for many Himalayan species dependent on this forest type.

Specific Notes:
I. Flora: The vegetation varies according to habitat. As the B.R. varies from approximately 500 to 6000 meters, altitude [with associated temperatures and rainfall variability] is a major factor in determining plant growth. Other factors are varying soils and differing exposures [the latter affects moisture retention]. Other microhabitats include snow peaks [with algae in the snow and lichens on exposed rocks], glacial lakes, forest ponds and stream edge habitat. Thus over 8 forest or vegetation's types occur here: Sub-tropical broad leafed, Sub-tropical Pine, Temperate broad leafed, Temperate conifer, Sub-alpine woody shrub,Alpine meadow [Mountain tundra], Bamboo brakes, and Grass lands.

The BR forms a part of one of the world's "Biodiversity Hot Spots". Tremendous speciation occurs here with over 1500 species of flowering plants expected. This area is possibly the center of origin for some crop plants such as the banana. Many NTFP and economic plant groups occur here. Medicinal, aromatic, timber, fodder and fuel plants could be mentioned. Among ornamental plants there is a rich representation of Orchids, Rhododendrons and Primulas. The rare orchid, Vanda stangeana, lives here as do over 50 species of rhododendrons. For some plant genera and families, this area may be part of where they initially diversified [i.e. the cradle of speciation]. The Rhododendron genus may be thought of in this context.
It provides shelter for saprophytes like Monotropa uniflora, Epipogium spp., and Gastrodia sp.

Parasitic plants such as Balanophora sp., Boescheckia sp., Galeola sp. flourish here.

Some plants listed in "primitive" families are seen here including Mangletia gaveana, Magnolia campbellii, Schizandra neglecta, Holbelia latifolia, and various species. of Ranunculus.

Only a few of the many rare and endangered species here include Cyathea sp., Angiopteris sp., Livingstonia sp., Coptees teeta and Amenototaxus sp. As would be expected, local medical healers have a remarkable storehouse of knowledge relating to their environment and thus the BR has an important socio-economic significance due to its ethno-biological richness.

II. Fauna: This Biosphere Reserve is a treasure house for a rich and diverse fauna. Some of the species here are endemic to the eastern Himalayas; many of these as well as others are listed as endangered. At this date no major survey expedition has been undertaken except for some study tours by the S.F.R.I. and the last tour of 3 months by the Director DDBR thus not much is known about the different species of the region. However, based on personal observations, tour reports of the wildlife officials and notes available from various scientists and other sources, the following is known:

Insects: 45 species of insects including moths and butterflies were documented between January to March 2000 during the period of tour. Other invertebrates including arachnids: no reports to date.

Fish: Hill trout observed during the tour.

Amphibians: the B.R. houses an impressive array of forest frogs. For example, at the 2000 meter level in some of the B.R. forests a wonderful chorus of frogs breaks out just after dark, often with four or more species calling at the same time. These have not been thoroughly studied and may well include species new to science.

Reptiles: While the B.R. houses a rather poor array of lizards, the reserve does host a fine cross-section of Asian snakes. While most of these are non-poisonous members of the Colubridae family, there are records of poisonous green pit vipers [Trimeresurus], cobras [Naja and Ophiophagus] and kraits [Bungarus]. The Indian Rock python is also known.

Birds: Up to 1997, 195 species of birds had been recorded. Of these, the Sclater's Monal and Blyth's Tragopan are among the most interesting. These beautiful pheasants live in a limited range of the eastern Himalayas and are very much threatened. Temminck’s tragopan is also found in this region but no data on this bird is available from the Indian sub continent. The Pale-capped Pigeon, a globally threatened species, is recorded in this area. Other species, considered rare in parts of the Himalayas, have been found to be comparatively common here. These include: the Purple Cochoa, Nepal Cutia, and Pale Blue Flycatcher. The wedged billed Wren-Babbler, one of the rarest members of the Laughing Thrush and Babbler family [Timaliidae], has been seen here. Information is still being gathered but in recent years, several species new to Arunachal Pradesh have been seen in the B.R. These include the Water Pipit, Japanese Bush Warbler, Isabeline Wheatear, Black faced, Chestnut-eared and Pine Buntings. In addition, there is a possible sighting of the Rufous-tailed Babbler Chrysomma poecilvtis, a species new to the Indian subcontinent.

Mammals: The large mammal population of the B.R. is wonderfully diverse. Using the cat family as an example, we find the Tiger at low and medium elevations, the Spotted or Common Leopard ranging from the tropics to the tree line, the Clouded Leopard in wet forests at moderate elevations to the snowline, and the Snow Leopard above the tree line on slopes where Blue Sheep live. Small cats also occurring here may include the Golden Cat, the Jungle Cat, the Marbled Cat and the Leopard Cat. The entire northern boundary of the B.R. is the home of the elusive and shy Red Panda. One of the most unusual ungulates of the eastern Himalayas and western Chinese mountains is the Takin. This animal occurs here in small herds that range from c. 2500 to c. 4000 meters. The severely endangered Musk Deer also lives at these elevations but is confined to forest. Other mammals include: Bison, Serow, Himalayan Black Bear, Sloth Bear, Indian Wild Dog, Red Fox, Deer, Assamese Macaque, Otter (both common & clawless), Squirrel, Civet and Wild Boar. [Field observation w.e.f. January to March 2000].

Conclusion:

With such diverse biological potential, spread over more than 5,000 sq. km. of different bio-zones, the proposed Biosphere Reserve is truly a biologist's dreamland. A population density of 2 persons per sq.km. makes the Biosphere Reserve unique [it shares the record for low population densities with places such as the Changtang Reserve in Tibet, China and the Gobi reserves in Mongolia]. The tribal population inhabiting this glorious area live in harmony with their environment and have for generations been utilizing their rich biodiversity for their sustenance.