South Arunachal Elephant Reserve

South Arunachal Elephant Reserve is an elephant conservation landscape in Arunachal Pradesh, managed under Project Elephant. It brings together elephant habitat, forest corridors and adjoining land uses so that conservation can be planned at a landscape scale.

Location

The reserve lies in the foothill and lowland forests of south-eastern Arunachal Pradesh.

Brief History

South Arunachal Elephant Reserve was notified/recognised on 29 February 2008 under the Project Elephant framework. Its management focus is the protection of elephant habitat, movement routes and coexistence with neighbouring communities.

Description

• State: Arunachal Pradesh
• Notification Year: 2008
• Total Area: 1,957.50 sq km
• Conservation Programme: Project Elephant

Protected Areas & Forest Divisions

The reserve includes or is associated with forest divisions and reserve forests of the South Arunachal landscape.

Landscape & Forest Types

Key habitats include tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forest, moist deciduous forest, bamboo, cane and riverine habitat. These habitats provide forage, cover, water and seasonal movement routes for elephants and other wildlife.

Flora

Vegetation varies with altitude, rainfall and soils, and includes native trees, grasses, bamboo and riparian plant communities typical of the landscape.

Fauna

• Asian Elephant
• Leopard
• Gaur and deer species where suitable habitat occurs
• Wild boar, small carnivores and diverse birdlife

Elephant Conservation

The reserve supports landscape-level elephant conservation by protecting habitat mosaics and reducing fragmentation. It is ecologically connected with the Assam–Arunachal elephant landscape, including Dihing–Patkai forests, making corridor protection and conflict mitigation central management priorities.

Weather

Weather varies by season and elevation. Visitors should check local forest department advisories, road conditions and access rules before planning a visit.

Best Time to Visit

The cooler, drier months are generally more comfortable for nature travel, subject to protected-area opening periods and permits.

How to Reach

Dibrugarh Airport and rail links in upper Assam are common gateways; onward travel is by road through the foothill districts.

Where to Stay

Use authorised accommodation in nearby towns or forest department facilities where available and book any forest stay or safari only through official channels.

Nearby Attractions

Namdapha National Park, Dihing–Patkai landscape and eastern Himalayan foothills.

Did You Know?

Elephant Reserves are landscape-scale conservation units: they can include protected areas, reserve forests, corridors and other habitats used by elephants.

Image Placeholders

[Featured Image]

[Map showing South Arunachal Elephant Reserve in India]

---

Last Updated: August 2026