National Parks of Northeast India: List, Wildlife & Travel Guide

By Parth Saikia | AAMMNEST
Published on 22 September 2026.

National Parks of Northeast India: List, Wildlife & Travel Guide

Map of Northeast India showing major national parks including Kaziranga, Manas, Namdapha, Mouling, Keibul Lamjao, Balpakram, Murlen, Intanki, Khangchendzonga and Clouded Leopard National Park

The national parks of Northeast India protect a remarkable range of habitats, from the rhinoceros grasslands of Assam and the floating meadows of Manipur to the rainforests of Arunachal Pradesh and the high mountains of Sikkim. Famous names include Kaziranga, Manas, Namdapha, Keibul Lamjao, Nokrek, Phawngpui and Khangchendzonga, but the region’s conservation story extends well beyond these better-known destinations.

This guide covers the eight northeastern states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. It brings together a state-wise list, explanations of important habitats, practical trip-planning advice and facts useful for geography and competitive-exam preparation.

Research reviewed: 22 September 2026. Park notifications, access arrangements and boundaries can change. Recent or inconsistently reported listings are explained separately below; a tourism announcement is not treated as proof of a final notification.

Quick guide

Rhinos and floodplain grassland: Kaziranga and Orang, Assam.
Foothill forests and grassland: Manas, Assam.
Rainforest and mountain ecology: Namdapha, Arunachal Pradesh.
Floating wetland habitat and Sangai: Keibul Lamjao, Manipur.
Garo Hills forest landscapes: Nokrek and Balpakram, Meghalaya.
Himalayan natural and cultural heritage: Khangchendzonga, Sikkim.

State-wise national parks list
Why national park totals differ
National parks in Assam
National parks in Arunachal Pradesh
National parks in Meghalaya
National parks in Manipur
National parks in Mizoram
National park in Nagaland
National parks in Tripura
National park in Sikkim
Habitats and conservation
Best time to visit and trip planning
Important exam facts
Frequently asked questions
Sources and references

National Parks of Northeast India: State-Wise List

Use the table to connect each park with its state and main landscape. It lists established park names separately from two entries needing a status explanation. Animal names describe conservation associations, not guaranteed sightings. The location column is a regional guide rather than a precise boundary description.

State-wise overview of national parks and their landscapes
State	National park	Regional location	Main ecological interest
Assam	Kaziranga	Brahmaputra floodplain	Greater one-horned rhinoceros; wetlands and tall grassland
Assam	Manas	Bhutan foothills	Forest–grassland mosaic; tiger and rare grassland wildlife
Assam	Nameri	Northern Assam foothills	Jia Bhoroli river landscape; white-winged duck
Assam	Orang	North bank of the Brahmaputra	Rhino habitat; grassland and wetlands
Assam	Dibru-Saikhowa	Upper Assam river landscape	Wetlands, river islands and birdlife
Assam	Dehing Patkai / Dihing Patkai	Dibrugarh–Tinsukia region	Lowland wet evergreen forest
Assam	Raimona	Kokrajhar, western Assam	Foothill forest and landscape connectivity
Arunachal Pradesh	Namdapha	Changlang; Noa-Dihing valley	Rainforest and a strong elevational habitat gradient
Arunachal Pradesh	Mouling	Siang region	Forested mountain slopes
Meghalaya	Nokrek / Nokrek Ridge	Garo Hills	Forest core of the wider biosphere reserve
Meghalaya	Balpakram	South Garo Hills	Forested plateau, cliffs and cultural landscape
Manipur	Keibul Lamjao	Southern Loktak Lake landscape	Phumdi habitat and Sangai deer
Mizoram	Murlen	Champhai region	Dense hill forest and birdlife
Mizoram	Phawngpui / Blue Mountain	Southeastern Mizoram	High ridge, cliffs and montane vegetation
Nagaland	Ntangki / Intanki / Intangki	Peren	Tropical forest conservation
Tripura	Clouded Leopard	Sepahijala landscape	Forest habitat; distinct from the zoo
Tripura	Bison / Rajbari	Trishna landscape	Gaur conservation
Sikkim	Khangchendzonga	Sikkim Himalaya	Forests, alpine habitats, glaciers and sacred mountains

Additional names to understand: Sikhna Jwhwlao in Assam and Shirui/Shiroi in Manipur appear in park-related announcements or departmental material. Their source-status notes below are essential when interpreting a regional total.

How Many National Parks Are There in Northeast India?

A reliable total needs a dated list and a clear distinction between a proposed park, a preliminary notification and a completed declaration. Older summaries also omit additions made after their publication. The year shown in a website footer does not necessarily mean that its park database has been updated.

This guide presents 18 entries in the main table and discusses two additional names separately. That is the structure of this article, not a claim that an independently verified, current legal total is 18 or 20. For an examination that specifies a reference year, use the corresponding official list and notifications.

Sikhna Jwhwlao: what the official document establishes

Assam’s notification page dated 5 March 2025 links to a document headed “Preliminary Notification”. It states the intention to constitute Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park across 316.29 square kilometres in Kokrajhar and Chirang. The document also sets out a process for examining rights over the proposed land. This confirms a documented proposal and notification stage; the reviewed PDF does not by itself establish completion of the final declaration. A later final notification was not verified for this article. [1]

Shirui: read the listing alongside the notification

Some Manipur Forest Department material lists Shirui National Park, while tourism material presents the destination as Shirui Hills. The hill’s biodiversity importance is clear, but the final gazette position was not established from the sources retrieved for this guide. The name is therefore discussed here without silently adding it to a certified current total. Shirui, Shiroi and Sirohi are spellings readers may encounter. [2]

National Parks in Assam

Assam brings several different wildlife landscapes into one state. Its floodplain parks depend on rivers and seasonal water movement, while its eastern and western forests conserve habitats that cannot be understood simply as extensions of Kaziranga. Read the wider context in our guide to the biodiversity of Assam.

Kaziranga National Park: rhinos, wetlands and living floodplains

Kaziranga is internationally known for the greater one-horned rhinoceros, but its importance lies in the combination of grasslands, shallow wetlands and woodland. These habitats support large herbivores, predators and waterbirds within the Brahmaputra floodplain. UNESCO inscribed Kaziranga as a natural World Heritage property in 1985. [3]

The landscape is shaped by water. Seasonal flooding helps maintain a changing mosaic of habitats, although severe floods create immediate risks for animals and neighbouring communities. A useful visit looks beyond a checklist of large mammals: differences between wetland edges, tall grass and wooded patches help explain why the park supports such varied wildlife.

For travel planning, Assam Tourism identifies November to April as a generally favourable period. Actual opening dates and accessible safari routes depend on annual conditions. Confirm the range, reporting point and current charges before booking, rather than assuming that a ticket provides access to every part of the park. [4]

Manas National Park: where foothill forests meet grasslands

Manas lies along the Himalayan foothills near Bhutan. Its forest and grassland habitats make it an important conservation landscape for animals including the tiger, pygmy hog and hispid hare. The UNESCO property retains the official World Heritage name Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, even though travellers commonly search for Manas National Park. These names should be understood in their respective contexts. [3]

Manas is particularly useful for understanding why conservation must extend beyond a protected-area boundary. Rivers, forest continuity and neighbouring habitats influence animal movement. For visitors, it offers a different setting from the open floodplain views associated with Kaziranga. Choose it for the landscape as well as its wildlife; elusive species cannot be promised on a short safari.

Nameri National Park: riverine forest and birdlife

Nameri protects foothill habitat beside the Jia Bhoroli river and is associated with the white-winged duck. Its river and forest setting makes birdlife an important part of the experience. Arrange authorised access with local forest staff; a rafting activity near the park should not be confused with unrestricted entry into it. [5]

Orang National Park: a second perspective on rhino habitat

Orang lies on the northern side of the Brahmaputra and conserves grassland and wetland habitats used by rhinoceroses. Its resemblance to Kaziranga has earned it the informal description “Mini Kaziranga”. Treat this as a nickname, not a reason to overlook its separate conservation identity. Assam Tourism suggests November to April for a visit. [4]

Dibru-Saikhowa National Park: a river-shaped ecosystem

Dibru-Saikhowa belongs to Upper Assam’s wetland and river-island landscape. It is valuable for understanding how water channels and floodplain vegetation create bird habitat. Tinsukia is a useful planning base. Confirm which boat routes and landing points are permitted; a trip to a nearby wetland is not automatically a visit inside the national park. [5]

Dehing Patkai National Park: the rainforest side of Assam

Dehing Patkai, also written Dihing Patkai, protects lowland rainforest in the Dibrugarh–Tinsukia region. Here, the ecological focus shifts from broad grasslands to a layered forest with a canopy, understorey and shaded ground vegetation. The national park was added to Assam’s network in 2021. [6]

Dense forest changes the way a visitor experiences wildlife. Animals can be difficult to see even when habitat is occupied, while calls, movement in the canopy and plant diversity provide other ways to understand the ecosystem. Plan a guided forest experience around observation and interpretation rather than expecting open-ground safari visibility.

Raimona National Park: conservation across a wider landscape

Raimona, also added in 2021, lies in Kokrajhar in western Assam. The district administration places it within a wider transboundary conservation landscape connected with protected forests in Bhutan and West Bengal. Its significance therefore extends beyond the individual park: forest continuity can help sustain ecological movement across administrative borders. [6]

Travellers should confirm the currently authorised visitor arrangements locally. A recently created protected area should not be assumed to offer the same booking system, accommodation capacity or visitor routes as a long-established safari destination.

National Parks in Arunachal Pradesh

Namdapha National Park: from rainforest towards the mountains

Namdapha lies in Changlang district in eastern Arunachal Pradesh, near the international border with Myanmar. The Noa-Dihing valley and the forested terrain around Miao and Deban are central to its geographical identity. The district administration describes a landscape with a broad range of habitats, making Namdapha especially important for studying the connection between elevation and biodiversity. [7]

A mountain protected area cannot be treated as one uniform forest. As elevation changes, temperature, moisture and vegetation change too. For the visitor, Namdapha is best approached as a forest expedition requiring advance planning. Distinguish the permission needed to enter the state from permission to enter particular park routes, and confirm guides, accommodation and transport before travelling.

Mouling National Park: the forested Siang landscape

Mouling protects mountainous forest in the Siang region. Its steep slopes and less accessible terrain make it a contrasting destination to Assam’s vehicle-safari parks. The Upper Siang administration identifies it as an important natural attraction. Its value is also educational: it illustrates how rugged relief helps create a varied Himalayan forest environment. [7]

Do not plan Mouling as a quick roadside stop. Ask the responsible forest office about the approach route, permitted activities and local support. For remote protected areas, access arrangements are part of the itinerary itself.

National Parks in Meghalaya

Nokrek National Park: the forest core of a larger reserve

Nokrek, also called Nokrek Ridge National Park, lies in the Garo Hills and forms the core of the wider Nokrek Biosphere Reserve. This distinction matters: the national park and the biosphere reserve do not have identical boundaries. Meghalaya’s Biodiversity Board also places the gene sanctuary for wild citrus, Citrus indica, in the biosphere reserve’s buffer zone. [8]

Nokrek demonstrates that conservation includes plant genetic diversity as well as charismatic animals. When reading about the area, check whether a claim refers to the national park, its buffer or the broader Garo Hills. This gives a much more accurate picture than treating every attraction in the region as part of the park.

Balpakram National Park: a landscape with cultural meaning

Balpakram lies in South Garo Hills. Its forested plateau and dramatic landforms are also deeply connected with Garo cultural traditions. Meghalaya Tourism presents its biodiversity and folklore together, an appropriate reminder that a protected landscape can hold ecological and cultural significance at the same time. [9]

Visitors should approach local stories respectfully and distinguish cultural traditions from scientific explanations of landforms. A knowledgeable local guide can help interpret both. For more about the surrounding ecosystems, see our Meghalaya biodiversity guide.

National Parks in Manipur

Keibul Lamjao National Park: floating habitat and the Sangai

Keibul Lamjao, in the southern Loktak Lake landscape, is famous as the world’s only floating national park. Its distinctive habitat consists of phumdis: masses of vegetation, organic material and soil associated with the wetland. This is the key natural habitat of the Sangai, the brow-antlered deer closely associated with Manipur. [2]

The park shows why wildlife protection cannot be separated from habitat processes. Conserving a deer population here requires attention to the wetland that supports it, rather than only guarding the animals themselves. Visitors should also distinguish a Loktak Lake sightseeing trip from entry to authorised park viewpoints. The entire lake is not synonymous with the national park.

Shirui Hills and the Shirui lily

Shirui Hills in the Ukhrul region are associated with the Shirui lily and are important to discussions of Manipur’s biodiversity. Use the status note near the beginning of this article when interpreting the name “Shirui National Park”. A tourism listing, hill destination and final park notification serve different purposes. Explore the wider setting in our biodiversity of Manipur guide.

National Parks in Mizoram

Murlen National Park: dense forest and important bird habitat

Murlen lies in the Champhai region near the India–Myanmar border. Mizoram Tourism identifies it as a refuge for Mrs Hume’s pheasant, locally called Vavu, the state bird. Dense hill forest is the central feature of the landscape, making it a useful destination for readers interested in forest ecology and bird conservation. [10]

Birdwatching in such habitat requires patience. A species recorded in a park may be seasonal, scarce or difficult to observe. Local expertise and time spent listening can be more useful than moving rapidly between viewpoints. Arrange travel around realistic forest conditions rather than a guaranteed-sighting itinerary.

Phawngpui National Park: Mizoram’s Blue Mountain landscape

Phawngpui, popularly called the Blue Mountain, is associated with Mizoram’s highest peak. The park contains forested slopes, cliffs and open grassy patches, with plants including rhododendrons and orchids described by the state tourism department. Its ridge landscape offers a clear contrast to Murlen’s dense forest setting. [10]

For a visit, prepare for walking and changing mountain weather. Confirm the authorised route and local arrangements before setting out. Read more about the habitats surrounding both parks in our Mizoram biodiversity guide.

National Park in Nagaland

Ntangki National Park: understanding the alternative spellings

Ntangki National Park lies in Peren district. Intanki and Intangki are alternative spellings frequently encountered in descriptions of the same protected area; they should not be counted as separate parks. The Peren district administration uses the name Ntangki. [11]

The park adds a tropical forest landscape to the regional picture. For readers studying Northeast India, this is a useful contrast with the state’s better-known hill settlements and cultural destinations. Travellers should seek current forest-department advice on entry rather than assume that a national-park designation means unrestricted visitor access. Our Nagaland biodiversity article explains the wider conservation setting.

National Parks in Tripura

Clouded Leopard National Park

Clouded Leopard National Park belongs to the Sepahijala landscape. Tripura’s Forest Department lists it separately as a national park. This distinction is important because Sepahijala is also associated with a wildlife sanctuary and a zoological facility; those names do not describe exactly the same area or visitor experience. [12]

A clouded leopard seen in a zoo is not evidence of a wild sighting in the national park. Before planning a visit, clarify which facility or protected-area section your ticket covers and which activities are authorised.

Bison National Park, also called Rajbari

Bison National Park is associated with the Trishna landscape and is also commonly called Rajbari National Park. Its wildlife association is the gaur, often popularly referred to as Indian bison. Gaur are distinct from the true bison of Europe and North America. [12]

The national park and Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary should be identified separately in a state-wise list. For a wider explanation of forests and wildlife in the state, see our Tripura biodiversity guide.

National Park in Sikkim

Khangchendzonga National Park: natural and cultural World Heritage

Khangchendzonga National Park protects a Himalayan landscape extending from forests to alpine environments, glaciers and very high mountains. UNESCO inscribed it in 2016 as a mixed World Heritage property, recognising both natural and cultural values. Sacred associations with mountains, lakes and other landscape features are central to that recognition. [3]

This is a different kind of park experience from a lowland safari. Elevation, walking conditions and weather become major planning considerations. Visitors interested in trekking should confirm the exact route, permits and guide arrangements in advance. An itinerary for Sikkim in general does not establish permission to enter every part of the park. Our Sikkim biodiversity guide provides related background.

Why These National Parks Matter for Biodiversity

The regional network protects different habitats

No single park can represent Northeast India. A floating meadow, a rainforest canopy and a Himalayan alpine slope provide different food, shelter and climatic conditions. Protecting a variety of landscapes is therefore more useful than judging conservation importance only by the number of famous animals a visitor might see.

The park profiles above suggest three helpful geographical patterns. Floodplain parks are closely connected with water and sediment movement. Hill forests depend on continuity across slopes and valleys. Himalayan parks add strong changes in temperature and vegetation over short horizontal distances. These patterns help explain why species and visitor experiences vary so much across the region.

Connections beyond the boundary matter

A boundary gives a protected area a defined identity, but it cannot isolate it from surrounding land use. River catchments, nearby forest patches and connections between habitats remain important. Conservation planning therefore has to consider both the protected area and its surroundings, including the needs and knowledge of neighbouring communities.

Tourism should support the habitat it depends on

Visitors can contribute by employing authorised local guides, following marked routes, avoiding litter and keeping a respectful distance from wildlife. Do not use calls or bait to attract animals for photographs. Quiet observation protects the experience for other visitors and reduces disturbance to wildlife.

Best Time to Visit National Parks in Northeast India

There is no single best month for every park. Assam Tourism identifies November to April as a favourable general period for Kaziranga and Orang, but high-elevation trips and remote forest journeys need their own weather and access checks. An advertised season is not a guarantee that every range, trail or road will be open.

Practical planning by landscape
Trip type	Planning approach	What to confirm
Assam wildlife visit	Start with a suitable dry-season window, then check park notices.	Opening dates, safari range, transport, fees and cancellation terms.
Remote hill-forest trip	Allow time for approach roads and local arrangements.	Forest entry permission, guides, accommodation and road conditions.
Wetland visit in Manipur	Plan the park viewpoint separately from lake sightseeing.	Current local access, visiting hours and the exact destination.
Sikkim mountain journey	Choose dates for the specific elevation and route.	Trail conditions, relevant permits, guide requirements and acclimatisation.

Choose a focused route instead of rushing across eight states

For a first wildlife trip, one well-planned park can be more rewarding than several short stops. A Kaziranga-focused journey allows time to understand different habitats. Travellers considering a second Assam park should allow a separate transfer day and check whether the extra journey leaves enough time for wildlife observation.

A Garo Hills journey can focus on the landscapes around Nokrek and Balpakram, with local guidance and realistic road timings. Namdapha, Murlen and Phawngpui suit trips designed around their own approaches. Khangchendzonga requires a separate mountain itinerary. These are planning options, not fixed packages or assurances of current access.

What to check before booking

Confirm the exact park, range or trail and its current opening status.
Separate state-entry permission from forest-entry permission; requirements vary by destination and nationality.
Ask whether the quoted price includes entry, vehicle, guide and camera charges.
Check the operator’s authorisation and cancellation policy.
Leave room for weather and transport delays, especially on mountain roads.
Pack for the actual activity: a jeep visit, wetland viewpoint and multi-day trek have different requirements.

National Parks of Northeast India: Important Exam Facts

For APSC, ADRE and other geography examinations, begin with park–state associations. Then connect each park with a distinctive habitat or conservation theme. Keep notification years, current areas and recent additions in a separately dated revision sheet because those details need closer source checking.

Quick revision: park, state and defining feature
Park or concept	Key association
Kaziranga	Assam; greater one-horned rhinoceros; UNESCO natural heritage.
Manas	Assam; Bhutan foothills; UNESCO property named Manas Wildlife Sanctuary.
Namdapha	Arunachal Pradesh; Changlang and the Noa-Dihing valley.
Mouling	Arunachal Pradesh; Siang mountain landscape.
Keibul Lamjao	Manipur; phumdis and Sangai.
Nokrek	Meghalaya; national park within a wider biosphere reserve.
Balpakram	Meghalaya; South Garo Hills.
Murlen and Phawngpui	Mizoram; Phawngpui is also called Blue Mountain.
Ntangki	Nagaland; Peren district; alternative Intanki/Intangki spellings.
Clouded Leopard and Bison	Tripura; distinguish the parks from nearby sanctuaries and zoo facilities.
Khangchendzonga	Sikkim; UNESCO mixed natural and cultural heritage.

Common mistakes to avoid

Pobitora is a wildlife sanctuary, not a separate national park.
Loktak Lake and Keibul Lamjao are not interchangeable names. The park occupies a particular part of the lake landscape.
Seven Sisters and Northeast India have different scopes. A guide to the eight northeastern states includes Sikkim.
A tiger reserve is not automatically a national park. A reserve may include different protected-area and buffer components.
UNESCO status is an additional designation. Its property boundary or name need not match every other conservation designation.
Alternative spellings are not additional parks. Count the protected area, not each version of its name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which national parks are best known in Northeast India?

Kaziranga and Manas in Assam, Namdapha in Arunachal Pradesh, Keibul Lamjao in Manipur and Khangchendzonga in Sikkim are among its best-known parks. Nokrek, Balpakram, Murlen, Phawngpui and other parks represent additional habitats and landscapes.

Which national park is famous for the one-horned rhinoceros?

Kaziranga in Assam is internationally associated with the greater one-horned rhinoceros. Orang is another important Assam national park conserving rhino habitat.

Which is the floating national park of India?

Keibul Lamjao National Park in Manipur is known as the world’s only floating national park. Its phumdi habitat supports the Sangai deer.

Which national parks are in Meghalaya?

Nokrek, also called Nokrek Ridge National Park, and Balpakram are Meghalaya’s national parks. The wider Nokrek Biosphere Reserve should not be counted as an additional national park.

Which national parks are in Mizoram?

Murlen and Phawngpui are Mizoram’s national parks. Phawngpui is also popularly known as the Blue Mountain.

Is Khangchendzonga a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Yes. Khangchendzonga National Park was inscribed in 2016 as a mixed World Heritage property for its natural and cultural importance.

Are Ntangki and Intanki different national parks?

No. Ntangki, Intanki and Intangki are alternative spellings used for the protected area in Nagaland’s Peren district.

Is Sikhna Jwhwlao included in the latest national park count?

It appears in recent Assam park announcements and discussions. The March 2025 PDF reviewed for this article is a preliminary notification. Confirm a subsequent final notification before using it to establish a current legal total.

Can every national park be visited on a jeep safari?

No. Activities and access vary. Some destinations involve authorised forest walks, wetland viewpoints or mountain routes. Confirm what is permitted at the specific park rather than assuming that all offer vehicle safaris.

Do national parks and wildlife sanctuaries mean the same thing?

No. They are distinct protected-area categories. A tiger reserve, biosphere reserve or UNESCO property is another designation that may overlap with a national park without sharing exactly the same boundary.

What is the best time to visit Northeast India’s national parks?

Choose the season for the particular destination. November to April is a useful general starting point for Kaziranga and Orang, while mountain and remote-forest trips need route-specific weather and permission checks.

Sources and References

This article is an original synthesis of the official sources listed below, reviewed on 22 September 2026. Older web summaries were not treated as conclusive evidence of a current park count. Source names are retained for verification without adding unnecessary outbound links to the reading flow.

1. Government of Assam, Environment and Forest Department: Sikhna Jwhwlao Preliminary Notification, E. No. 544255/214; document linked from the notification page dated 5 March 2025.
2. Manipur Tourism: Nature and Wildlife; Places to See. Manipur Forest Department: introductory protected-area material.
3. UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Kaziranga National Park; Manas Wildlife Sanctuary; Khangchendzonga National Park.
4. Assam Tourism: Kaziranga and Orang destination information.
5. Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Assam: National Park profiles; Data of Wildlife.
6. Tinsukia district: Dehing Patkai National Park. Kokrajhar district: Raimona National Park. Assam Forest Department: notification and wildlife-data listings.
7. Changlang district administration: Namdapha National Park and access information. Upper Siang district administration: Mouling National Park.
8. Meghalaya Biodiversity Board: Protected Areas, including the distinction between Nokrek National Park and the wider biosphere reserve.
9. Meghalaya Tourism: Balpakram National Park and Garo Hills destination information.
10. Mizoram Tourism: Murlen National Park and Phawngpui National Park destination profiles.
11. Peren district administration, Government of Nagaland: Ntangki National Park.
12. Tripura Forest Department: Bison National Park; Clouded Leopard National Park; Wildlife Resources of Tripura.
13. Wildlife Institute of India: National Parks overview and National Wildlife Database resources. Older database totals require checking against later state notifications.

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