Singphan Elephant Reserve

Singphan Elephant Reserve is India’s smallest notified Elephant Reserve under Project Elephant. Situated in Nagaland’s Mon district along the Indo-Myanmar biodiversity hotspot, the reserve protects the forests of Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary and provides habitat for a resident population of Asian elephants. Despite its small size, the reserve is ecologically important because it safeguards one of Nagaland’s remaining elephant habitats and supports several threatened wildlife species.

Location

The reserve is located in Mon district of Nagaland near the international border with Myanmar. It is centred around Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary, approximately 65 km from Mon town.

Brief History

Singphan Elephant Reserve was notified under Project Elephant to strengthen conservation of elephants inhabiting the Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary. The reserve forms part of Nagaland’s strategy to protect remaining elephant habitats and improve landscape-level conservation in the eastern part of the state.

Description

• State: Nagaland
• Total Area: 23.5 sq km
• Protected Area: Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary
• Biogeographic Zone: North-East Hills
• Elevation: Approximately 500–1,800 metres above sea level

Landscape & Forest Types

The reserve consists of tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests interspersed with bamboo brakes, hill streams and secondary forests. The rugged terrain supports a rich diversity of flora and fauna despite the reserve’s limited extent.

Protected Area

• Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary

Flora

Vegetation includes Hollong, Nahor, Michelia, Bamboo, Cane, wild bananas, orchids and numerous medicinal plant species typical of the Indo-Myanmar region.

Fauna

• Asian Elephant
• Clouded Leopard
• Common Leopard
• Himalayan Black Bear
• Serow
• Barking Deer
• Wild Boar
• Hoolock Gibbon
• Capped Langur
• Great Hornbill
• Several hundred bird species and diverse reptiles

Elephant Conservation

Although the reserve covers only a small area, it protects an important elephant habitat in eastern Nagaland. Long-term conservation depends on maintaining connectivity with adjoining forests beyond the sanctuary boundaries and reducing habitat degradation.

Weather

• Summer: 20–32°C
• Winter: 8–20°C
• Average Annual Rainfall: 2,000–2,500 mm

Best Time to Visit

October to April is the most suitable period for wildlife observation and nature tourism.

How to Reach

• Nearest Airport: Dibrugarh (Assam)
• Nearest Railway Station: Tinsukia (Assam)
• By Road: Accessible from Mon via state highways and forest roads.

Where to Stay

• Forest Department Rest House (subject to prior permission)
• Government tourist accommodation in Mon

Nearby Attractions

• Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary
• Mon
• Konyak tribal villages
• Patkai Hills

Did You Know?

With an official area of only 23.5 sq km, Singphan is currently the smallest Elephant Reserve in India.

Image Placeholders

[Featured Image]

[Map showing Singphan Elephant Reserve in India]

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Last Updated: August 2026