Cultural Pursuits - Traveling a little differently!

This park has been established in the west Garo Hill district in an area of 220sq km. The nearest town is William Nagar about15km. The railhead Guwahati is about160km from the park. The nearest airport is Guwahati which is 170km from the park.

The vegetation consist of tropical moist deciduous type. The predominant species is moist hill sal.

Mammals found in the park are binturong, clouded leopard, leopard cat, wolf, sloth bear, elephant, loris, serow, Reptile found is python. The birds are hornbill, hoolock etc.

October to May are the best months for visiting the park.

Nokrek National Park

This park is also located in the west Garo Hills District. Its area is 68sq.km. The nearest town in Meghalaya from the park is William Nagar about 60km away. The railhead is at Guwahati about 200km from the park and the nearest airport is also at Guwahati at a distance of 210km. The forests of the parks are tropical semi-evergreen and moist deciduous.

Mammals found in the park are capped languor, clouded leopard, leopard cat, fishing-cat, golden cat, Pangolin, wild buffalo, elephant, serow and tiger. Reptile living in the park is python. Birds found are hornbill, peacock, pheasant, hollock etc.

October to May is the ideal season for visiting the park.

Selbagre Hoolock Gibbon Reserve

Location: West Garo Hills District

This small area protected by the community is home to the Hoolock Gibbons, the only ape species found in India. The sacred grove in the reserve is the pride of the village and the community. The Garos never kill or hunt the Hoolock Gibbon as it is a traditional belief among them that if a Hoolock Gibbon is killed, a famine or a curse would befall the entire village.

Baghmara Reserve Forest

Location: South Garo Hills District

At a distance of about 4 kilometers from the main town of Baghmara, this thick forest is inhabited by langurs, birds of different species, elephants, etc. Many tourists have reported sighting herds of elephants as they travel from Baghmara to Balpakram National Park via Baghmara Reserve Forest.

Siju Bird Sanctuary

Location: South Garo Hills District

Close by on the other side of Simsang River is the Siju bird sanctuary, a home for many rare and protected birds and other wildlife. The Siberian ducks also migrated here during the winter months. The lesser or Grey Hornbill is also seen around Siju. One interesting and rare bird is the Peacock Pheasant seen in Siju.

Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: Ri Bhoi District

The Nongkhyllem Sanctuary near Nongpoh is also a good place for bird watching. The best time for bird watching is March/April during the nesting season.