Mishmi Hills is located in the north-eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh in India. The hills are a southward extension of the Great Himalayan Mountain Range. This is said to be the richest bio-geographical province of the Himalayan zone. It is considered to be one of the mega bio-diversity hotspots of the world. The diversity of topographical and climate has resulted in the growth of forests from Tropical Evergreen, Semitropical evergreen, Sub tropical broad leaved, Sub tropical alpine, Temperate broad leaved, Temperate Conifer, Alpine Meadows, Bamboo, Sub Alpine Woody shrub and Grasslands that are home to varied species of magical and mesmerising birds. Over 680 species of birds being reported from here is a testimony to this diversity.
Mishmi Hills is the ideal place for birdwatchers. Besides endemic birds, several eastern Himalayan species, which are very difficult to find elsewhere in the region, are easily sighted here. The serene forest around Mishmi Hills is considered the best biogeographical zone in the entire Himalayan range. The landscape here is extremely attractive for nature lovers, ornithologists and researchers.
Named after the Idu-Mishmi tribes, Mishmi Hills are one of the most scenic parts of the Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh. The sanctuary was established in 1980 over approximately 280 sq.km.
The hills are divided into three altitudes – the lower altitude (upto 1,300m) stretches from Roing to Tiwari Gaon, the middle (upto 2,500m) stretches from Tiwari Gaon to Coffee House, and from Coffee House to the Mayudia Pass is the highest point ( at 2,655m) on the Roing-Hunli-Anini road. In the Deori-Chutia language, Mayodia means "Shrine of the Mother Goddess."
Rich in biodiversity, Mishmi Hills is home to several endemic birds and unique flora and fauna. The Rusty-throated Wren-Babbler or the Mishmi Wren-Babbler (Spelaeornisbadeigularis) is an undergrowth-dwelling bird that was long known only from a single specimen collected on January 5, 1947. It was rediscovered on November 18, 2004, by King & Donahue (2006) near the ‘KM 44’ sign along the Roing-Hunliroad. Subsequently, the babbler species has been sighted in various parts of the Mishmi Hills.
Highlight Bird Species:
Mishmi Wren Babbler
Blyth’s Tragopan
Scalter’s Monal
Cachar Wedge Billed Babbler
Ward’s Trogon
Bar Winged Wren Babbler
Long Billed Wren Babbler
Pygmy Wren Babbler
Black Throated Parrotbill
Yellow Vented Flowerpecker
Golden Babbler
Golden Breasted Fulvetta
Beautiful Nuthatch
Himalayan Cutia
