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Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary – UPSC Notes

Location & Geography State: Arunachal Pradesh District: Lower Subansiri Area: 337 sq. km Altitude: ~2400 meters above sea level
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🐾 Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary – UPSC Notes

Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary


🧭 Location & Geography

  • State: Arunachal Pradesh

  • District: Lower Subansiri

  • Area: 337 sq. km

  • Altitude: ~2400 meters above sea level

  • Terrain: Plateau region with valleys, hills, and dense forests

  • Rivers:

    • Pange

    • Sipu

    • Karing

    • Subansiri River

👥 Tribal Community

  • Apatani tribe inhabits the area surrounding the sanctuary

  • Known for:

    • Wet rice cultivation without shifting

    • Ecological knowledge and conservation ethics

    • Traditional use of herbs and medicinal plants

    • Unique cultural identity with rich handicrafts

🌿 Flora (Plant Life)

  • Rich biodiversity of subtropical to alpine forests

  • Major plant types:

    • Silver fir trees

    • Bamboo forests

    • Rhododendrons

    • Orchids and ferns

  • Unique Species:

    • Pleioblastus simone – a bamboo species found only in Talley Valley

  • Home to several medicinal plants and herbs used by the Apatani tribe

🐅 Fauna (Animal Life)

  • Mammals:

    • Clouded leopard

    • Elephants

    • Leopards

    • Barking deer

    • Porcupines

    • Giant squirrels

    • Wild boars

  • Birds: Hornbills, woodpeckers, pheasants

  • Insects: Rich butterfly and moth diversity

🧬 Ecological Significance

  • Part of the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot

  • Features a wide altitudinal range that supports rare and endemic species

  • Acts as a carbon sink and water catchment area

  • Important site for biodiversity conservation and climate regulation

🛡️ Conservation Status

  • Declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1995

  • Managed by Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department

  • Involves local communities like the Apatanis in eco-friendly practices

  • Promotes eco-tourism and nature trails with minimal ecological disturbance

⚠️ Challenges

  • Illegal logging and deforestation

  • Poaching of wildlife species

  • Human-wildlife conflict

  • Limited infrastructure and conservation resources

  • Climate change impact on forest and river ecosystems

📘 UPSC Prelims Quick Facts

Feature Detail
State Arunachal Pradesh
District Lower Subansiri
Area 337 sq. km
Altitude ~2400 m
Key Rivers Pange, Sipu, Karing, Subansiri
Tribe Apatani
Unique Bamboo Pleioblastus simone
Year of Notification 1995

📌 Importance for Mains (GS-III: Environment)

“Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is a model for biodiversity conservation through community participation and eco-tourism in the Eastern Himalayas.”

  • Model of tribal-led conservation

  • Biodiversity hotspot in Eastern Himalayas

  • Eco-tourism and sustainable development example

  • Use in case studies for:

    • Forest conservation

    • Role of traditional knowledge

    • Community participation in environmental protection

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