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{{Short description|Wildlife sanctuary in Meghalaya, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary
| alt_name = NWS
| iucn_category = IV
| image =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| image_size =
| map = India Meghalaya#India
| relief = yes
| mapframe = Yes
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| map_width =
| mapframe-zoom = 10
| location = [[Ri-Bhoi district]], [[Meghalaya]], India
| nearest_city = [[Shillong]] and [[Guwahati]]
| coordinates = {{coord|25|56|16.44|N|91|47|15|E|type:mountain_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
25° 56′ 16.44″ N, 91° 47′ 15″ E
| coords_ref =
| area = {{Convert|29|km|mile|abbr=on}}
| established = 1981
| visitation_year =
| governing_body =
| url =
| elevation_min = 200m
| elevation_max = 950m
}}

'''Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary''' is an [[IUCN protected area categories#Category IV – habitat or species management area|IUCN Category IV protected area]] located in [[Meghalaya]], [[Protected areas of India|India]]. It covers 29 square kilometers in [[Ri-Bhoi district]]. It was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1981.

== History ==
As of 2025, Meghalaya has a protected area network of around 1133 km<sup>2</sup>, which is over 5% of the total geographical area of the state. These include two national parks, four wildlife sanctuaries, and one biosphere reserve area.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 December 2017 |title=Protected Areas |url=https://megbiodiversity.nic.in/protected-areas |access-date=2025-11-11 |website=Meghalaya Biodiversity Board, Government of Meghalaya}}</ref>

The Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary was first created by the colonial British administration as 'Nongkhyllem Reserved Forest' in July 1909. The area was expanded by consequent notifications in 1913, 1933, and 1939. The eastern part of the reserve was converted into the 'Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary' in 1981 measuring 29 km<sup>2</sup>. The remaining part of the reserved forest was maintained as such.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://moef.gov.in/uploads/2017/06/Nongkhyllem%20Reserved%20Forest%2C%20Meghalaya.pdf |title=The Gazette of India: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notification. S.O. 1816 |date=7 June 2017 |publisher=[[Government of India]] |location=New Delhi}}</ref> The latter consists of the Nongkhyllem Reserve Forest (9691 ha) and a portion of community-managed forest (2300 ha) which was acquired by the Meghalaya state government.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BirdLife DataZone |url=https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/18286-nongkhyllem-and-adjacent-areas |access-date=2025-10-30 |website=datazone.birdlife.org |language=en}}</ref>

Initially, the conservation efforts focused on [[Gayal|mithun]] and [[clouded leopard]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-04-18 |title=Meghalaya's Green-Tech Foundation opposes tourism project in Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary |url=https://nenews.in/meghalaya/meghalayas-green-tech-foundation-opposes-tourism-project-in-nongkhyllem-wildlife-sanctuary/23757/ |access-date=2025-10-29 |website=Northeast News |language=en-US}}</ref>

An Eco-Sensitive Zone was declared around the sanctuary by the India's Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change in 2017.<ref name=":0" /> In 2021 it was rated the best protected areas in [[Northeast India]] out of 16, by a report on Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) on national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Laitphlang |first=David |date=19 January 2021 |title=Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary in Meghalaya is Northeast's best protected area |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nongkhyllem-wildlife-sanctuary-in-meghalaya-is-northeast-s-best-protected-area-101611054720800.html |access-date=28 October 2025 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref> One of the reasons give was its continuity of a management plan since 2001 irrespective of the people posted there. The other reason was significant reduction in biotic interference due to community support.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2021-01-31 |title=Many Northeast wildlife habitats understaffed, says report |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/many-northeast-wildlife-habitats-understaffed-says-report/article33708546.ece |access-date=2025-11-06 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== Geography ==
=== Geology ===
Meghalaya is part of an [[Archean]] plateau with undulating tablelands.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Choudhury |first=Anwaruddin |date=2006 |title=The Distribution and Status of Hoolock Gibbon, Hoolock hoolock, in Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland in Northeast India |url=http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1896/0898-6207.20.1.79 |journal=Primate Conservation |language=en |volume=20 |pages=79–87 |doi=10.1896/0898-6207.20.1.79 |issn=0898-6207}}</ref>

=== Hydrology ===
The streams from the sanctuary join the rivers [[Umtrew river|Umtrew]], [[Umtasor]], and [[Umsaw]].

=== Climate ===
The sanctuary has a tropical monsoon climate with temperature ranging from 6 °C to 32 °C and average annual rainfall about 2000-3000mm.<ref name=":2" />

== Biology ==
The sanctuary's minimal biotic interaction is a positive factor for its biodiversity.<ref name=":0" />

=== Flora ===
The sanctuary consists of mainly [[tropical moist deciduous forest]], with parts of it being tropical semi-evergreen forest, [[Montane grasslands and shrublands|montane grasslands]], and large stretches of bamboo grooves.<ref name=":2" />

Naturally growing trees of economic importance consists of, [[terminalia bellirica]], [[terminalia chebula]], [[albizia lebbeck]], [[adina cordifolia]], [[schima wallichii]], [[shorea robusta]], [[anthoshorea assamica]], [[aesculus assamica]], [[aporosa wallichii]], cryptocarya andersonii, [[lagerstroemia parviflora]], [[bridelia retusa]], [[magnolia hodgsonii]], and [[gmelina arborea]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Parkash |first=Vipin |date=2021-10-11 |title=Floristic and ethnic perspective on wild forest plant species of Nongkhyllem Reserve Forest, Nongpoh, Meghalaya, India |url=https://smujo.id/aje/article/view/9210 |journal=Asian Journal of Ethnobiology |language=en |volume=4 |issue=2 |doi=10.13057/asianjethnobiol/y040204 |issn=2580-4510|doi-access=free }}</ref> The forest department has created plantations of [[Shorea robusta|sal]] and [[teak]] in some parts.<ref name=":2" />

=== Fauna ===

There are at least 50 known species of mammals and 25 species of reptiles in the sanctuary. 30 of these mammals species are on the Schedule 1 of the [[Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 April 2025 |title=Green-Tech Foundation makes visit to Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary |url=https://theshillongtimes.com/2025/04/23/green-tech-foundation-makes-visit-to-nongkhyllem-wildlife-sanctuary/ |access-date=28 October 2025 |work=[[The Shillong Times]]}}</ref> There are over 400 noted species of birds, including the endangered [[rufous-necked hornbill]]<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2025-05-10 |title=Meghalaya group opposes ecotourism project in wildlife sanctuary |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/meghalaya-group-opposes-ecotourism-project-in-wildlife-sanctuary/article69560913.ece |access-date=2025-10-28 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Editorial |date=17 April 2025 |title=Of Ecotourism |url=https://highlandpost.com/of-ecotourism/ |access-date=30 October 2025 |work=Highland Post}}</ref> and [[white-cheeked partridge]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary |url=https://test.meghalayatourism.in/experiences/nature-&-wildlife/biodiversity-&-nature-trails/nongkhyllem-wildlife-sanctuary/ |access-date=2025-11-11 |website=Meghalaya Tourism}}</ref> At least 39 species of fishes have been documented in recent times. The sanctuary and its adjacent areas are ideal habitat for the endangered [[Tor putitora|Himalayan mahseer]], ''[[schistura sijuensis]], [[clarias magur]],'' and ''[[Pillaia indica]]''.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last=Khynriam |first=Dimos |last2=Sen |first2=Nibedita |date=2016-12-01 |title=Taxonomic Studies on the Ichthyofauna of Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary and its Adjacent Areas, Ri-Bhoi District, Meghalaya |url=https://recordsofzsi.com/index.php/zsoi/article/view/117831 |journal=Records of the Zoological Survey of India |pages=445–476 |doi=10.26515/rzsi/v116/i4/2016/117831 |issn=2581-8686|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

The large mammals that live here include, the [[Asian elephant]], [[tiger]], [[leopard]], [[clouded leopard]], [[leopard cat]], [[jungle cat]], [[fishing cat]], [[dhole]], [[Himalayan black bear]], [[sloth bear]], [[Hoolock gibbon]], [[slow loris]], [[capped langur]], [[rhesus macaque]], [[sambar deer]], [[muntjac]], [[gaur]], [[binturong]], and [[black giant squirrel]]. [[Wild boar]], [[civet]]s, and [[mongoose]], are also found in the sanctuary.<ref name=":2" />

According to [[BirdLife International]], the sanctuary is one of the 'Important Bird Area' (IBA) and is designated A1 (Threatened species) according to the IBA criteria.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 December 2017 |title=Important Bird Areas |url=https://megbiodiversity.nic.in/important-bird-areas |access-date=2025-11-11 |website=Meghalaya Biodiversity Board, Government of Meghalaya}}</ref> Four species of hornbills are found in the area, rufous-necked hornbill, [[great hornbill]], [[Malabar pied hornbill]], and [[wreathed hornbill]]. In addition, there are various species of woodpeckers, bulbuls, laughingthrushes, and minivets, including winter visitors from higher biomes.<ref name=":6" /> The sanctuary and the reserve forest are surrounded by community-managed forests and wooded betel leaf farms. These collectively support the avian diversity and habitat. In addition, the agricultural woodlands supported more avian species than the protected areas.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Perinchery |first=Aathira |date=2018-08-18 |title=Meghalayan farms are also bird habitats |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/meghalayan-farms-are-also-bird-habitats/article24725751.ece |access-date=2025-11-06 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
{{Gallery|title=Lepidoptera in the sanctuary
| align=centre
| noborder=no
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| perrow=4
| File:Closed wing resting position of Elymnias peali Wood-Mason, 1883 - Brahmaputra Palmfly male WLB DSC 6807.jpg
| Brahmaputra palmfly
| class1=
| alt1=
| File:Open wing mud puddling activity of Cirrochroa aoris Doubleday, 1847 - Large Yeoman female WLB DSC 6715.jpg
| Large yeoman
| class2=
| alt2=
| File:Closed wing resting position of Ypthima baldus (Fabricius, 1775) - Common Five-ring WLB DSC 6716.jpg
| Common five-ring
| class3=
| alt3=
| File:Closed wing resting position of Allotinus unicolor C. & R. Felder 1865 - Plain Mottle WLB DSC 6736.jpg
| Plain mottle
| class4=
| alt4=
}}
In 2021 researchers found the [[Disk-footed bat]] for the first time in the Lailad area near the sanctuary. This was almost 1000 km from the nearest known habitat in [[Myanmar]]. It is one of at least 66 species of [[bat]]s found in the state.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Karmakar |first=Rahul |date=2021-04-18 |title=Meghalaya records India's first bat with sticky disks |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/meghalaya-records-indias-first-bat-with-sticky-disks/article34349748.ece |access-date=2025-10-28 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> A new species of bamboo-dwelling bat, found near the sanctuary, was classified as ''Glischropus meghalayanus'' in 2022. It was the first reported dwelling of the thick-thumbed bat in South Asia.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Shiv Sahay |date=2022-06-15 |title=New species of bamboo-dwelling bat found in Meghalaya |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/new-species-of-bamboo-dwelling-bat-found-in-meghalaya/article65530247.ece |access-date=2025-10-28 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

In 2024 researchers from [[Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment]] found the dung beetle species ''[[Onitis bordati]]'' in the sanctuary for the first time expanding its known range from [[Vietnam]] and [[Thailand]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-09-13 |title=New Dung Beetle Species Discovered In Meghalaya's Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary |url=https://northeasttoday.in/northeast/new-dung-beetle-species-discovered-in-meghalayas-nongkhyllem-wildlife-sanctuary/ |access-date=2025-10-28 |website=Northeast Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Karimbumkara |first=Seena Narayanan |last2=Priyadarsanan |first2=Dharma Rajan |date=2024-09-10 |title=Study on the genus Onitis (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) of the Indian Subcontinent, with three new species from India |url=https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/view/2657 |journal=European Journal of Taxonomy |volume=956 |pages=1–61 |doi=10.5852/ejt.2024.956.2657 |issn=2118-9773|doi-access=free }}</ref>

== Management ==
The Meghalaya government manages the sanctuary under the Meghalaya Forest Regulation (Assam Regulation 7 of 1891 adopted by Meghalaya).<ref name=":2" />

== Recreation ==
There are no official figures for the annual visitors to the sanctuary. However, people from neighbouring villages often visit the area as its stewards.

The [[National Highway 6 (India)|NH6]] is located on the eastern side of the reserved forest. It has been developed into a four-lane highway since 2016. The nearest town is [[Nongpoh]], but the sanctuary is well connected to [[Shillong]] and [[Guwahati]].<ref name=":3" /> While travelling from Shillong, which is 80 km away, the sanctuary can be accssed through the forest beat offices at Adit point, Umtasor and Lailad. From the NH6, the sanctuary can reached through Umling, and then 17 km along the Umling-Patharkhmah road to reach Lailad.<ref name=":2" /> Meghalaya's SH3, which runs through the [[Eastern West Khasi Hills district|Eastern West Khasi Hills]] and [[Ri-Bhoi district|Ri-Bhoi]] districts, is on the western side of the reserved forest. It was converted into two-lane road in 2020.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last=Haorangbam |first=Arundeep Singha |last2=Pachuau |first2=Laldingliani |last3=Singh Bisht |first3=Madho |date= |year=2023 |title=Impacts, Perception and Attitude of the Fringe Population towards Wildlife of Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary–Reserved Forest, Meghalaya, Northeast India |journal=Journal of Himalayan Ecology and Sustainable Development |volume=18 |issue= |pages=158–176 |issn=0973-7502}}</ref> Shared taxis and buses are available between Shillong and Nongpoh. The [[Shillong Airport]] is approximately 67 km, and [[Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport|Guwahati Airport]] is at 61 km.<ref name=":6" />

=== Eco-tourism project ===
In 2025 the Government of Meghalaya proposed an eco-tourism infrastructure project, valued at approximately Rs 23.60 crore, within the wildlife sanctuary. The project designed by E-factor Experiences, based in [[Noida]], proposed to create a [[chalet]]-styled resort, interpretation centre, canopy-based skywalks, and water sports zone.<ref name=":1" />

Seven village around the sanctuary have also opposed the project due to lack of community consultation and obvious threat to the ecosystem. The village councils, [[Rangbah Shnong]], issued a joint statement against the project.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gupta |first=Somashis |date=2025-04-25 |title=Villagers Cry Foul Over Eco-Tourism Project at Nongkhyllem |url=https://eastindiastory.com/villagers-cry-foul-over-eco-tourism-project-at-nongkhyllem/ |access-date=2025-10-29 |website=East India Story |language=en-US}}</ref> Meghalaya-based organisation, The Green-Tech Foundation, also strongly opposed the project.<ref name=":0" /> The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) also called for the project to be scrapped.<ref name=":5" />

==See also==
* [[Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* Baker, E. C. S. (1907) Birds of the Khasi Hills, 2 parts. ''J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.'' 17: 783–795; 957–975.
* Biang La Nam Syiem (2021), [https://www.natureinfocus.in/environment/notes-from-nongkhyllem-and-a-khasi-folktale 'Notes From Nongkhyllem And A Khasi Folktale,'] ''Nature in Focus.''

[[Category:Protected areas]]
[[Category:Wildlife sanctuaries in Meghalaya]]

Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary - Revision history

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