The Hornbill Nest Adoption Program (HNAP) allows individuals to sponsor local Nyishi tribal members to guard active hornbill nests during the breeding season.
Pakke is one of the few tiger reserves in India that actively involves indigenous communities in direct conservation efforts, resulting in a significant reduction in nest poaching.
The reserve acts as a vital wildlife corridor connecting with the Nameri National Park in Assam to the south.
It contains over 300 bird species, with the reserve serving as an essential site for migratory birds traversing the Himalayan foothills.
The area experiences high annual rainfall, creating a unique microclimate that supports rare orchids and epiphytes.
The reserve is bounded by the Bhareli or Kameng River in the west and north, and the Pakke River in the east.
Pakke Tiger Reserve, also known as Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary, is an 862-square-kilometer protected area located in the East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. The reserve is world-renowned for its hornbill conservation program, which involves active collaboration with the local Nyishi community to protect nesting sites. It serves as a critical habitat for four hornbill species: the Great Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, and the endangered Rufous-necked Hornbill. The landscape is characterized by tropical evergreen forests, dense bamboo thickets, and riparian vegetation along the banks of the Pakke River. Beyond hornbills, the reserve sustains populations of Bengal tigers, clouded leopards, Asiatic black bears, and elephants. The area is also part of the Eastern Himalayas biodiversity hotspot, featuring significant altitudinal variation that influences its diverse flora and fauna. Management of the reserve prioritizes community-led patrols and anti-poaching initiatives to preserve the ecosystem's integrity. Visitors are typically restricted to buffer zones and specific ecotourism trails to minimize human impact on the core wilderness areas. The reserve's location in the foothills of the Himalayas makes it a primary site for avian research and ecological study.
The river banks at Seijosa offer the best vantage points for photographing hornbills during their dawn and dusk flight paths.
Hire a local community guide to maximize your chances of spotting hornbills and rare mammals.
Bring high-quality binoculars, as most wildlife sightings occur in the dense canopy or across the river.
Avoid visiting during the peak monsoon months from June to September, when heavy rainfall renders forest tracks impassable and river crossings dangerous.
The park typically closes during the monsoon season due to flooded river crossings and damaged forest roads.
Maintain silence during forest walks, carry all non-biodegradable waste out of the park, and do not feed or disturb wildlife.
