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{{Short description|Wildlife sanctuary in India}}

{{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary
| alt_name =
| iucn_category = IV
| image =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| image_size =
| map = India Nagaland#India
| relief = 1
| mapframe = Yes
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| map_width =
| mapframe-zoom = 10
| location = [[Nagaland]], India
| nearest_city = [[Kiphire]]
| coordinates = {{coords|25.825528|N|94.954389|E|display=inline, title}}
| area =
| established = 1983
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| governing_body = Department of Forests, Environment, and Climate Change, [[Government of Nagaland]]
}}

'''Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary''' is a protected area in [[Nagaland]], [[India]]. It is situated close to the India-Myanmar border in [[Pungro]] circle of [[Kiphire district|Kiphire]] district, and covers an area of {{cvt|642|ha}}.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Fakim Wild Life Sanctuary |url=https://kiphire.nic.in/tourist-place/fakim-wild-life-sanctuary/ |access-date=2024-08-21 |website=Kiphire District, Government of Nagaland |language=en-US}}</ref> Fakim village is the gateway to the sanctuary.<ref>{{Cite web |title='A Photographic Guide to Birds of Fakim' by Leyamong L released |url=https://morungexpress.com/a-photographic-guide-to-birds-of-fakim-by-leyamong-l-released |access-date=2024-08-21 |website=Morung Express}}</ref> It was established in 1983.

== History ==
The Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1983.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Negi |first=Sharad Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uIVGAAAAYAAJ |title=Handbook of National Parks, Sanctuaries, and Biosphere Reserves in India |date=1991 |publisher=Indus Publishing Company |isbn=978-81-85182-59-9 |language=en}}</ref>

The state's Department of Forest, Environment, and Climate Change, manages the sanctuary along with other wildlife sanctuaries such as [[Ntangki National Park]], [[Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary]], [[Pulie Badze Wildlife Sanctuary]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 January 2019 |title=Wildlife conservation and management in Nagaland |url=https://morungexpress.com/wildlife-conservation-and-management-in-nagaland |access-date=2024-08-21 |website=[[The Morung Express]]}}</ref> and [[Nagaland Zoological Park]].

== Geography ==
The sanctuary is part of the [[Indo-Burma]] biodiversity hotspot. Its altitude ranges from 1700-3000m above sea level.<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last=Ao |first=Aosanen |last2=Changkija |first2=Sapu |last3=Tripathi |first3=S. K. |date=2020-05-27 |title=Species diversity, population structure, and regeneration status of trees in Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagaland, Northeast India |url=https://smujo.id/biodiv/article/view/5813 |journal=Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity |language=en |volume=21 |issue=6 |pages=2777-2785 |doi=10.13057/biodiv/d210654 |issn=2085-4722|doi-access=free }}</ref>

==Biology==
The sanctuary has a rich biodiversity.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oXp0fEr0P7wC |title=District Human Development Report, 2013: Kiphire |date=2014 |publisher=Department of Planning and Coordination, Government of Nagaland |language=en}}</ref> The terrain consists of hills, high ridges, green meadows, deep gorges and narrow valleys.<ref name=":1" /> It is composed of thick virgin primary forest of wet temperate to sub-alpine types.<ref name=":5" />

=== Flora ===
In 2017 a research noted 60 tree species, from 40 [[genera]] and 27 families. Amongst these, species from [[lauraceae]] and [[rosaceae]] families were the most dominant.<ref name=":5" /> The sanctuary is thick with [[oak]], [[Khasi pine]], hollock, nahor, [[kachnar]], cane and [[bamboo]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Capila |first=Pranav |date=2018-12-22 |title=The Naga hunter who gave up hunting. And made sure his village did too |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/the-naga-hunter-who-gave-up-hunting-and-made-sure-his-village-did-too/article25799098.ece |access-date=2024-08-21 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> [[Cinnamomum zeylanicum]] and [[Lithocarpus pachyphyllus]], [[Betula alnoides]] are some of the most abundant plants in the sanctuary.<ref name=":5" />

Efforts are also underway for the conservation planting of [[Cephalotaxus mannii]], native to the region.<ref name=":4" />

=== Fauna ===
The sanctuary is home to [[slender loris]], [[Panthera pardus tulliana|panthers]], [[Himalayan Bear|Himalayan bears]], [[Jungle cat|jungle cats]], [[Barking deer|barking deers]] and [[Hoolock gibbon|hoolock gibbons]].<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Kohli |first=M. S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y5CXbqpzmhIC |title=Incredible Himalayas: Environment, Culture, Tourism, and Adventure |date=2005 |publisher=Indus Publishing |isbn=978-81-7387-179-5 |language=en}}</ref> [[Chinese goral]] and [[leaf muntjac]]<nowiki/>i are also found here.<ref name=":5" /> Sumatran rhino and tigers were once found here.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Capila |first=Pranav |date=2018-12-22 |title=The Naga hunter who gave up hunting. And made sure his village did too |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/the-naga-hunter-who-gave-up-hunting-and-made-sure-his-village-did-too/article25799098.ece |access-date=2025-11-21 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

Bird species in the sanctuary include [[Great hornbill|great hornbills]], [[Tragopan|tragopans]], [[Junglefowl|junglefowls]] and [[doves]].<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Wildlife buffs spot rare butterfly 17 times - Group was on an excursion to Fakim sanctuary in Nagaland's Kiphire district bordering Myanmar |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/wildlife-buffs-spot-rare-butterfly-17-times-group-was-on-an-excursion-to-fakim-sanctuary-in-nagaland-s-kiphire-district-bordering-myanmar/cid/1312867 |website=Telegraph India}}</ref> The state bird, [[Blyth's tragopan]], also live here.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jamir |first=Muzhaba |date=15 July 2019 |title=Blyth’s tragopan: Plight no more as conservation efforts take flight |url=https://www.easternmirrornagaland.com/blyths-tragopan-plight-no-more-as-conservation-efforts-take-flight |access-date=20 November 2025 |work=Eastern Mirror}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=28 June 2019 |title=Nagaland names 5 endangered species for recovery programme |url=https://www.easternmirrornagaland.com/nagaland-names-5-endangered-species-for-recovery-programme |access-date=20 November 2025 |work=Eastern Mirror}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=L. |first=Leyamong |title=A Photographic Guide to Birds of Fakim |date=2024}}</ref> It is estimated that the sanctuary has more [[Tragopan|tragopans]] than elsewhere in the state.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Solo |first=Thepfulhouvi |date=30 May 2012 |title=What can Fakim Wild Sanctuary do for Nagaland? |url=https://morungexpress.com/what-can-fakim-wild-sanctuary-do-for-nagaland |access-date=21 November 2025 |work=[[The Morung Express]]}}</ref> Though rare, [[Mrs. Hume's pheasant]], the state bird of Manipur and Mizoram, have been sighted here.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Choudhury |first=Anwaruddin |date=2005 |title=New sites for Mrs Hume’s Pheasant Syrmaticus humiae in north-east India based on hunters’ specimens and local reports |url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c1a9e03f407b482a158da87/t/5c1ffae803ce64637dbe819b/1545599720658/Choudhury-Humes.pdf |journal=Forktail (now, Journal of Asian Ornithology) |volume=21 |pages=183-186}}</ref> Few instances of the [[scaly laughingthrush]], [[Tibetan serin]], and [[Alpine accentor]] have also been noted in and around the sanctuary.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Edwards |first=David P. |last2=Borah |first2=Joli |last3=Yimchunger |first3=Tsuseki Y. |date=2016 |title=Nagaland, north-east India: three Himalayan species new to the Naga Hills |url=https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joli-Borah/publication/314402014_Nagaland_north-east_India_three_Himalayan_species_new_to_the_Naga_Hills/links/58c1987c45851538eb7ce149/Nagaland-north-east-India-three-Himalayan-species-new-to-the-Naga-Hills.pdf |journal=BirdingAsia |volume=26 |pages=88-90}}</ref> Other avian species include the [[bay woodpecker]], and [[wedge-tailed green pigeon]].<ref name=":5" />

Several [[snake]] species are also found in the sanctuary. In 2010 [[Bella rat snake]] (Maculophis bella) was seen for the first time, expanding the previously known habitat from northern Myanmar to western Yunnan province in China.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Haralu |first=Banu |author-link=Bano Haralu |date=2010 |title=Nagaland: concerns and challenges |url=https://indianbirds.in/pdfs/IB6.2_Haralu_Nagaland.pdf |journal=Indian Birds |volume=6 |issue=2 |pages=56-57}}</ref>

== Climate ==
The sanctuary receives rainfall between 200 and 300cm every year. The temperature drops to 5°C in winters and can be as warm as 29°C in summers.<ref name=":5" />

==Conservation efforts==

Nagaland government has encouraged conservation initiatives including hunting bans.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dey |first=Kallol |date=29 April 2019 |title=Nagaland hunts for a way out of its bloody tradition, shows some success |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/nagaland/nagaland-hunts-for-a-way-out-of-its-bloody-tradition-shows-some-success-5153875/ |url-status= |access-date=22 November 2025 |work=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2021-01-26 |title=Governor's Award Honours Community Conservation And Social Activism |url=https://nagalandpage.com/governors-award-honours-community-conservation-and-social-activism/ |access-date=2024-08-21 |website=Nagaland Page |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Campaigns by NGOs and activists are also key to the fledgling conservation efforts.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Protection & conservation of wildlife 'burning need of the hour': Nagaland CM |url=https://morungexpress.com/protection-conservation-of-wildlife-burning-need-of-the-hour-nagaland-cm |access-date=2024-08-21 |website=[[The Morung Express]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=PTI |date=2022-10-08 |title=Kiphire: PCCF & HoFF visits Penkim and Fakim villages |url=https://nagalandtribune.in/kiphire-pccf-hoff-visits-penkim-and-fakim-villages/ |access-date=2024-08-21 |website=Nagaland Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2018-03-01 |title=Wildlife body extends financial aid to Nagaland's hunter turned conservationist |url=https://nenow.in/north-east-news/sanctuary-nature-foundation-extends-financial-aid-nagalands-hunter-turned-conservationist.html |access-date=2024-08-21 |website=Northeast Now |language=en-US}}</ref> Fakim village has resolved to keep additional 384 ha of community land for the ‘Fakim Village Tragopan Conservation Reserve.’<ref name=":2" />

In 2019, Alemba Yimchunger, a forest guard at the sanctuary was recognised with Earth Day Network Star. He has worked for over 30 years in protecting the flora and fauna of the sanctuary.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=29 March 2019 |title=Earth Day award for Nagaland forest guard |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/earth-day-award-for-nagaland-forest-guard/article26681252.ece |access-date=2025-11-21 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> He joined the state's forest department as a camp guide. Previously in 2018 he also received a grant from [[Sanctuary Nature Foundation]]. Balipara Foundation, another NGO working in Northeast India, bestowed on him the Forest Rangers and Guards of The Eastern Himalayas Award.<ref name=":2" />

== Recreation ==
Vongtsuwong village is a popular entry point into the sanctuary. The village has around 20 households and is located at an elevation of approximately 2000m.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last=Prakash |first=Nisarg |last2=Singh |first2=Priya |date=2012 |title=Beyond the Last Village |url=https://ticksfleasandleeches.wordpress.com/2015/06/22/in-search-of-the-rare-elusive-mammal/ |journal=[[Sanctuary Asia]]}}</ref> Fakim village is on the hill below the sanctuary and houses 70 families.<ref name=":2" /> Thanamir village is also adjacent to the sanctuary.<ref name=":3" />

The nearest airport to Pungro is [[Dimapur Airport]],<ref name=":1" /> approximately 320km away by road. As of 2024, the state government's helicopter service from Dimapur to Pungro is available once a week on Wednesdays. The flying time is 45 minutes, and the subsidised adult ticket costs ₹2925.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 September 2024 |title=NST notifies on revised schedule for chopper service in Nagaland |url=https://morungexpress.com/nst-notifies-on-revised-schedule-for-chopper-service-in-nagaland |access-date=22 November 2025 |work=[[The Morung Express]] |pages=1}}</ref>

== External links ==

* [https://ebird.org/hotspot/L10225838 eBird database of Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary]

== References ==

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Wildlife sanctuaries in Nagaland]]
[[Category:1983 establishments in Nagaland]]

Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary - Revision history

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