Arunachal Pradesh: Camera trapping of rare wildlife species in Richo Top begins

The Arunachal Pradesh government has identified the rich biodiversity of the Richo Top and has come forward to preserve this

By Prem Chettry

Situated at an altitude of over 13,000 feet above the sea level, the Richo Top in Arunachal Pradesh is a place where one can find the bliss of nature to the core. Blessed with flora and fauna, the Richo Top is a home to many of the endangered species- the snow leopard, tigers, Red panda, Himalayan Musk deer to name a few.

The Arunachal Pradesh government has identified the rich biodiversity of the Richo Top and has come forward to preserve this. The forest minister has called for camera trapping for this purpose following which a 17-member team has swung into action.

Under the instruction of Arunachal Pradesh Forest and environment minister Mama Natung, a team of nature lovers led by Wildlife Board member of Arunachal Pradesh member Karma Tsering are in Richo Top to find out and catch a glimpse of these rare wildlife species.

The team braving all odds trekked for four nights and three days to reach Richo Top for giving shape to their plans. Tsering and his team are taking help of one of the Brokpas, a Yak rearer who is well acquainted with each and every inch of the high altitude.

Speaking to Northeast Live, Karma Tsering said,”I spent my livelihood here. He (Brokpa) knows everything about this place. When I spoke to him he said that snow leopards are found here, moreover Kasturis (local name for Himalayan Musk Deer) are aslo found. So I had a discussion about this with our forest and environment minister Mama Natung and he said that it is a great thing and he asked me to do camera trapping so that it can be found as to what animals are found here, many rare species are found here. So I took him (Brokpa) along with me since he is well versed with this area.”

The team is well equipped with at least 20 high end cameras for the purpose of capturing moments of the rare wildlife species.

Speaking about his team and how the journey to Richo Top turned out to be, Tsering said,”Myself, wildlife photographers, nature lovers, youths from youths of Mandala Phudung and Dirang, we all 17 members are here. We trekked from Lhagyala monasteryfor 12 hours and reached here at 10 PM. Rains made the conditions very harsh, some of our members have taken ill.”

The trek of camera trapping and survey was flagged off by R M Yarmi Deputy Commandant 73rd Bn SSB Shergaon under Kalaktang Sub-Division in West Kameng district on May 19.

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