Balpakram

Balpakram National Park is a protected area in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya, northeastern India. It lies in South Garo Hills district, near Baghmara, and was established as a national park in 1992. The park is part of the region’s forested landscape that supports diverse flora and fauna and is linked with adjoining protected areas such as Siju and Nokrek.

The park encompasses a highland plateau with limestone escarpments, deep gorges, and scenic waterfalls. The terrain supports a mix of tropical evergreen and subtropical forest, along with grasslands in some areas. The climate is typically humid subtropical with a monsoon season that shapes the local ecosystems.

Balpakram hosts a diverse fauna and avifauna typical of the Meghalaya hills, including various primates, ungulates, and numerous bird species. The site forms part of a broader wildlife network that provides habitat for many protected and endemic species.

For the Garos, Balpakram is a sacred site associated with myths of the land of spirits and is often described as the gateway to the afterlife. The park attracts nature lovers, trekkers, and researchers, and tourism activities are managed to balance conservation with cultural and ecosystem preservation. Ongoing conservation efforts aim to preserve habitats and reduce threats such as habitat loss and forest fires.