Dampa is situated in the western part of the Indian state of Mizoram on the international border with Bangladesh. The reserve consists of moist deciduous forests in the lower reaches and evergreen and semi-evergreen forests with the natural grassland at higher altitudes.

The entire protected area is formed of undulating high and medium hills running from North to South directions with very high precipitous and inaccessible hills. In between the hills, the area comprises of deep valleys with extensive flatland along the rivers namely Keisalam, Seling and Aivapui which finally drain into the river Khawthlagtuipui.

There are numerous small perennial rivulets all over the reserve except in the upper reaches where water holes cum salt licks are being constructed at various locations for wild animals. Leaf Monkey is endemic to the Reserve. Dampa is a biodiversity hotspot with variety of flora and fauna of Indo-Malayan Origin.

Conservation History

Dampa was under a chieftain till 1950 and the main land use at that time was for jhum (shifting) cultivation in the lower portion. In early 1960s, small hamlets started establishing in the area for intensive shifting cultivation in the lower reaches. This had a detrimental effect on the biodiversity of the area. With the objective of conserving the fast disappearing natural treasure, Dampa was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1974. However, due to some minor procedural lapses, the Sanctuary had to be renotified in 1985. The Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1994.

The riverine area towards the east and west along the Khawthlatuipui (also known as the Sazalui or the Tuilianpui river towards the west and the Teirei river towards the east) was declared as Reserved Forest in 1952 during the District Council period.

Archeological Richness: None

Forest Types

Tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests: IBc3 & 2Bc2
Tropical moist deciduous forests: 3C2S1
Sub-montane type: 2B1b

Main Flora

Dipterocarpus turbinatus, D. macrocarpus, Artrocarpus chalpasa, Terminalia myriocarpa, T. chebula, Michelia champaca, Adina cordinofolia, Duabanga sonneratiodes, Chukrasia tabularis, Amoora wallichii, Syzygium cuminii, Toona ciliata, Mesua ferrea, Bombax ceiba, bamboos, canes and orchids.

Main Fauna

Tiger, leopard, clouded leopard, wild dog, sambar, barking deer, gaur (Indian bison), sloth bear, Hoolock gibbon, binturong, porcupine, slow loris, jungle cat, pangolin, black bear, giant squirrel, common langur, Rhesus macaque, wild boar, otter.
Endangered Species: Tiger, gaur, clouded leopard, elephant, python, Hoolock gibbon, slow loris, serow, binturong, wild dog, flying squirrel.

Management

Habitat improvement by planting utility tree species, development of water holes, creation of fire lines, construction of culverts, patrolling path and providing W/T sets and protection are some of the important management inputs.

Village Forest Protection Committee: None
Protection Squads: No strike force has been set up as yet. Protection and patrolling is done by the existing staff and daily wagers.
Eco-development: An ecodevelopment programme was initiated in the villages surrounding the reserve in 1997-98. Nursery, soil and water conservation, use of a non-conventional source of energy, smokeless chullahs, community development, education and awareness campaigns etc. have been taken up under eco-development.
Education and Awareness: Lectures, painting and essay competitions for students are organised.
Special Projects: Nil
Control of buffer: The buffer is under the control of the Field Director of the reserve.

Constraints

Staff: Most of the field staff is not trained for wildlife management. The Government of India supports no staff. Out of the sanctioned 35 posts, nine are vacant.
Funds: Funds are insufficient and generally received late.
Infrastructure: Inadequate
Grazing: Cattle population in the surrounding villages is very little; hence there is negligible grazing pressure.
Fire: All villages surrounding the Tiger Reserve are practising slash and burn cultivation jhum and hence there is always threat of fire in the reserve during the fire season.
Poaching of fauna and flora: Not a regular phenomena
Human Population: There is no human settlement in the Reserve. There are two BSF camps established in the core area for security reasons. Efforts are being made to shift the camps to the border area. There are 20 villages around the Dampa Tiger Reserve, with a population of roughly 10,000 tribals. Their livelihood mostly depends largely on age-old agriculture system of slash and burn. The requirement of people for firewood, small timber and building materials etc. in adjacent forests is a pressure in the buffer area. However, this pressure is minimal.
Livestock population: The pressure of cattle in the Reserve is minimal and poses no problem.
Criminals and Extremists: The reserve lies along the Indo-Bangladesh border. Of late, there has been a spurt of insurgency activity in the Tiger Reserve. During June 1997, a Game Watcher was victimised during a routine inspection. The insurgents even snatched away the W/T Handset and a gun. Provision of adequate security to staff of the reserve is a must.
Highways: State Highway runs along the boundary of the Reserve.
West Phaileng – Tuipuibari (Northwest) (BRTF road): 70 km.
West Phaileng –Marpara (East-north) (BRTF/PWD road): 100 km.
Diseases: Animal Husbandry department takes care of communicable cattle diseases in the villages around the reserve, by immunization of cattle through regular vaccination.
Encroachment: The area along the International border of the reserve is under constant threat of encroachment. Presently, the Tiger Reserve is free from habitation and encroachment.

Conflicts

Man-Animal: Wild elephant and wild boar inflict crop damage once in a while outside the reserve but on a very low scale.
Man-Forest: There is pressure from peripheral villagers for NTFP and fuel wood in the buffer area.

Action Points

• Establishment of a Tiger Cell in the State is of paramount necessity to monitor the conservation programme, and also to avail national and international assistance for tiger conservation.


• Effective mobility for the field staff in the Tiger Reserve is required. At least one vehicle for Strike Force and two vehicles for Range Officers are immediately required.


• Special pay and welfare scheme for the wildlife staff posted in the Tiger Reserve is necessary. Since the Tiger Reserves are of paramount importance for conservation of the tiger, a special funding with 100 per cent assistance from the Government of India will be necessary as the assistance from the State Government is extremely meager.


• Eco-development work in the buffer zone has to be intensified, as 20 villages are located in the peripheral area. This would require additional funding.


• Deployment of Security Forces on the international border to check infiltration of foreign nationals from Bangladesh is required. The border has not been properly sealed.


• A joint tiger conservation programme with Bangladesh needs to be explored.


• Field Director of the rank of Conservator of Forests is required while the State Government has only posted an officer of the rank of Assistant Conservator of Forests. The Strike Force sanctioned by the Government of India has not been formed due to non-creation of posts by the State Government. Various posts to staff the office of the Field Director are also yet to be created.


• Staff quarters for Field Staff and the Field Director's office are required.

Tourism

Due to remoteness of the area and communication problem, the number of tourists/visitors to the Reserve is negligible. The improvement of communication, road network and the coming up of “Lengpui Airport”, about 70 km. away from Dampa Tiger Reserve can attract tourists.

General Information

Area: Core: 340 sq. km; Buffer: 160 sq. km; Total: 500 sq. km.
Longitude: 92013’12” to 92027’24” East
Latitude: 23032’42” to 23041’36” North
Altitude: 200 m. to 1200 m above msl.
Rainfall: 2000 mm. to 2500 mm.
Temperature: Minimum: 3.50C; Maximum: 350C
Seasons: Pleasant and warm climate throughout the year with moderate chill during November-December at higher altitude.