Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary, Kohima

Located in the historical village of Khonoma, the Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary spans an area of 10,303 hectares. High hilly terrain, ranging from gentle to steep and rugged slopes, along with lush evergreen and untouched forests provide habitat for many rare species of flora and fauna. An ecological survey recorded about 198 species of birds, 72 species of animals, about 250 plant species, including medicinal plants, wild fruits, wild vegetables, mushroom and 204 species of trees. The sanctuary has been honoured as an Important Bird Area on account of its rich avi-faunal diversity.

The Khonoma village council declared the area as Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary in 1998, which was also accompanied by a complete ban on jungle burning, killing of wild birds and animals, extraction of natural resources. The Sanctuary Trust was registered in the year 2002 for better management of the sanctuary.

Wildlife Watch:

• The sanctuary is plentiful with birds like Blyth’s Tragopan, Red-faced Liocichla, Brown-capped Laughingthrush, Rusty- capped Fulvetta, Spot-breasted Scimitar Babble, Mountain Bamboo Partridge, Lesser Shortwing, Cachar Wedge-billed Babbler, Naga Wren-Babbler and Striped Laughingthrush. 

• Prominent among the animals found here are Ferret Badger, Barking Deer, Hoary-bellied Himalayan Squirrel, Himalayan Striped Squirrel sp, Orange-bellied Squirrel, Asiatic Black Bear, Himalayan Serow, Stump-tailed Macaque, Marbled Cat, Back-striped Weasel and Flying squirrel.
• Red-necked Keelback, Green Rat Snake, Boulenger’s Striped Keelback, Boulenger’s Striped Keelback, Jerdon’s Calotes are some of the interesting reptiles that can be spotted in the sanctuary.
• Bhutan glory, Naga and Golden Sapphires, Jungle Glory, Striped Dawnfly, Blue Caliph and green, white and bicolor Commodore are some of the rare species of butterflies found here.

To visit, please contact: 

Mr. Khriekhoto Mor 

Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary Trust, Khonoma

Contact No.: +91-8575473659