Phawngpui National Park

Source: HT

Context: Nearly one-ninth of Mizoram’s Phawngpui National Park was affected by forest fires that originated from a jhum cultivation site in March 2025.

About Phawngpui National Park:

• Location: Situated in southeastern Mizoram, near the Myanmar border.

• Situated in southeastern Mizoram, near the Myanmar border.

• Known as the Blue Mountain, it is the highest peak in the state at 2,157 metres. Covers an area of approximately 50 sq. km and features a 10 km-long ridge with steep cliffs and grassy glades.

• Known as the Blue Mountain, it is the highest peak in the state at 2,157 metres.

• Covers an area of approximately 50 sq. km and features a 10 km-long ridge with steep cliffs and grassy glades.

• Biodiversity:

• Hosts diverse Montane Sub-tropical forests with oak, rhododendrons, and rare bamboo species. Critical habitat for endangered fauna such as the Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant (State Bird), Slow Loris, Tiger, Leopard, Asiatic Black Bear, and Capped Langur.

• Hosts diverse Montane Sub-tropical forests with oak, rhododendrons, and rare bamboo species.

• Critical habitat for endangered fauna such as the Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant (State Bird), Slow Loris, Tiger, Leopard, Asiatic Black Bear, and Capped Langur.

• Ecological Uniqueness:

• Only known habitat in India for Mount Victoria Babax, shared with Myanmar. Cliff ecosystems support rare birdlife like the Dark-rumped Swift, Blyth’s Tragopan, and Peregrine Falcon.

• Only known habitat in India for Mount Victoria Babax, shared with Myanmar.

• Cliff ecosystems support rare birdlife like the Dark-rumped Swift, Blyth’s Tragopan, and Peregrine Falcon.

• Conservation Challenges:

• Popular for trekking and eco-tourism, especially the Far Pak glade. Increasing frequency of forest fires due to jhum cultivation threatens habitat integrity and wildlife breeding cycles.

• Popular for trekking and eco-tourism, especially the Far Pak glade.

• Increasing frequency of forest fires due to jhum cultivation threatens habitat integrity and wildlife breeding cycles.