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Balpakram National Park

The literal meaning of Balpakram is the "land of perpetual winds". It is shrouded in mystery, soaked with charm, blessed with the most breathtaking scenery, an amazing variety of wild life, magnificent and charming tribal lores, legend, beliefs and sentiments. Simply put, it is a “traveler’s paradise”.

There is a great precipice or deep gorge in Balpakram and is popularly compared to the Grand Canyon of U.S.A. It is believed that here, the spirits of the dead dwell temporarily before embarking on the final journey. It is home to the rare lesser panda, the Indian bison and the Stag like serow. A variety of medicinal herbs locally called "dikges" grow abundantly in Balpakram. Recognizing the immense significance of the areas for conservation and its mythological richness, Balpakram National Park was created by the Govt. Of Meghalaya vide Notification No. FOR 103/84/354 dated Shillong, the 15 February 1986. Balpakram is the land of scenic beauty, lying at an altitude of nearly 3,000 ft. above sea level, covering an area of 200 sq km. It is a vast tableland of dense forest, teeming with wild life, undoubtedly one of the richest spot in bio-diversity in the country. Many rare and exotic species of flora and fauna some endemic to the area - many almost extinct very rare forms of wild-life found in the area had naturally evoked a lot of interest among the elite circles of naturalist, botanists and zoologist.

Geography
Balpakram is located between latitudes 25°20' N and 25°30' N, and longitudes 90°45' E to 91° E. The Balpakram National Park is located to the extreme South Garo Hills, Meghalaya an Indian state at a distance of 62 kms. from Baghmara, the district headquarters of South Garo Hills and 167Km from nearest major town Tura. This pocket of pristine beauty named Balpakram National Park is also close to the international boundary of Bangladesh. This is perhaps the only National Park where the entire area was purchased from the owners (Nokmas) of Akhing lands (clan lands) through outright purchase.The total acquired area at present is 352 Sq. Kms of which 220 sq Kms area only had been notified. Some more areas are under acquisition process.

Climate
The park experiences three seasons: summer, monsoon, and winter. The winter season, between November and February, is mild and dry, with a mean high of 25 °C (77 °F) and low of 7 °C (44 °F) During this season, beels and nullahs (water channels) dry up. The summer season between March and May is hot, with temperatures reaching a high of 37 °C (99 °F).During this season, animals usually are found near water bodies.The rainy monsoon season lasts from June to September, and is responsible for most of Balpakram’s annual rainfall of 6000 mm (236 in).

Flora and Fauna
This Park with its vast elevational variations supports a profile of varied types of floral and faunal compositions. This park is endowed with very rich wild life which include some of the rare animals, birds whose status in other parts of the country is not very secure but they are still common and plentiful here. The latest census results show 609 elephants and 46 tigers in this small area mainly in and around the park areas.Other Mammals includes Clouded leopard, Golden cat, Serrow, Wild Buffalo, Black Bear, Red panda, Slow loris, Wild dog, Barking dear, Pangolin, Flying squirrel, Hoolock, Gibbon, etc.

Balpakram is home to a variety of birds  such as  Great hornbill, Common hornbill, Peacock, Oriole, Kingfisher, Indian roller, etc. Verities of reptiles are also abundant like Python, King cobra, Viper, Krait, Monitor Lizard, Gekko, etc. Among the floral pride, the park boasts of presence of rare and endemic insectivorous plants like Nepenthes Khasiana (Pitcher plant), Paphiopedilum venustum and Drosera (Sundew plant). Agarwood(Aquillaria Agallocha) is another endemic plant which enriches the floral diversity of the park.