In the valleys and hills of Northeast India, nature and culture are closely intertwined. Communities across Northeast India have long shared a sacred, symbiotic relationship with the land. Their understanding of the world is deeply rooted in the belief that humans are part of a vast, interconnected web with nature and this relationship is upheld through cultural practices, oral traditions, and spiritual beliefs. Conservation, in this context, is not a separate from but a way of life, embedded in collective responsibility.
This deep ecological wisdom is one of the reasons why Northeast India remains one of the most biodiverse regions in the country. Among the many inspiring examples of how indigenous knowledge and community stewardship can protect ecosystems, one story stands out.
In this blog we take a look at the remarkable transformation of Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh, a haven for birds and biodiversity, brought back to life through the efforts of local communities.
Tucked away in the remote West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh, Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary is one of India’s most biodiverse and ecologically significant protected areas. The sanctuary spans 217 square kilometers, and lies within the Eastern Himalayan global biodiversity hotspot, a region renowned for its extraordinary richness in flora and fauna.
The sanctuary’s dramatic altitudinal range is from around 500 meters to over 3,200 meters above sea level, which creates a mosaic of habitats, from subtropical broadleaf forests to temperate and alpine zones. This steep gradient supports an astonishing diversity of life, much of it still being documented.
Eaglenest is especially famous among birdwatchers. Over 450 bird species have been recorded here, including icons like the Ward’s trogon, Blyth’s tragopan, Beautiful nuthatch, and most famously, the Bugun liocichla, a stunning bird discovered as recently as 2006, and named after the local Bugun community.
But Eaglenest isn’t just for the birds. It’s also home to elusive mammals like the red panda, clouded leopard, Himalayan black bear, and capped langur, along with a growing list of amphibians, butterflies, and orchids, many of which are endemic or newly discovered.
What makes Eaglenest truly remarkable isn’t just its wildlife, but the way it has been protected. Eaglenest was officially declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1989, but for years it remained largely unexplored and vulnerable to logging and habitat loss. Its fortunes changed dramatically in the early 2000s. In a region where community values run deep, it was local action, rather than top-down enforcement, that sparked its transformation from a threatened forest into a thriving sanctuary.
In 2006, a small olive-grey bird with striking orange and yellow wing patches was officially described as a brand-new species: the Bugun Liocichla. The discovery, made by astrophysicist-turned-birder Dr. Ramana Athreya, took place in the forests near Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, on land traditionally used by the Bugun tribe.
What made it even more special? The Bugun Liocichla had never been seen anywhere else in the world. The bird’s revelation catapulted Eaglenest and the Bugun community into the global spotlight
Rather than the traditional top-down conservation, Athreya took a radically different approach. In 2003–2004, he proposed a bold idea to Indi Glow, a respected leader from the Bugun tribe. He wanted to create a community-run birding tourism initiative. The idea was simple—turn birdwatching into a source of income, and conservation would follow.
With a modest pilot fund of Rs. 20,000, they set the wheels in motion. Locals began assisting biodiversity surveys, learning about birds, butterflies, amphibians, and forest ecology. By April 2006, the first community-run eco-tourism site, Lama Camp, was established. The team built basic infrastructure, trained locals as guides, cooks, and camp managers, and opened up new economic pathways.
By 2008, the initiative was bringing in over Rs. 50,00,000 annually, a game changer for a region where average annual incomes were often less.
As tourism grew, something more profound began to shift: attitudes.
The Bugun community, once reliant on hunting and occasional logging, began to see the forest not just as a resource, but as a living, valuable heritage. Locals took charge. They began patrolling the forests, hosting tourists, and sharing knowledge with visiting researchers and birders. The success of Lama Camp demonstrated that protecting nature could go hand in hand with economic prosperity.
The success of tourism laid the groundwork for something bigger. In 2016, the Bugun community, with support from the Forest Department and leaders, established the Singchung Bugun Village Community Reserve (SBVCR).
Spread across 17 sq. km of traditional Bugun forest land, SBVCR became India’s first community reserve established for a bird species.
Today, SBVCR is co-managed by the Bugun people and forest officials. It includes patrolling squads, eco-education programs, snake-handling and bird-guiding training, and continues to function as a model of community-led conservation.
The transformation of Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary isn’t just a story of eco-tourism or community initiative; it’s a win for biodiversity itself. In the years since the shift toward conservation, the forest has come alive in extraordinary ways.
With logging controlled and hunting drastically reduced, many species once pushed to the edge have returned. Sightings of elusive animals like the red panda, clouded leopard, and Himalayan black bear have become more frequent, signaling healthier forest ecosystems.
Butterflies, reptiles, amphibians, and rare orchids are also flourishing, many of them endemic to this region, and some yet to be scientifically described.
Eaglenest is now considered one of the top birding destinations in Asia. Over 450 bird species have been recorded here, including the Bugun Liocichla, Ward’s trogon, and Blyth’s tragopan, all rare and striking in appearance. The sanctuary also hosts endangered species such as the Beautiful nuthatch, Rufous-necked hornbill, and Purple cochoa.
Birdwatchers from around the world now travel to Eaglenest to see these birds in their natural habitat, often guided by trained members of the Bugun community, who know the forest like no one else.
Since 2006, researchers and locals have identified new frogs, snakes, butterflies, and plants. The sanctuary’s steep altitude range makes it a natural lab for discovery, with more species likely waiting to be found.
Eaglenest shows that conservation works best when it starts with the people who live closest to the land. The Bugun community didn’t just support protection efforts, they led them. This sense of ownership turned local forests from a source of extraction into a source of pride and responsibility.
A major reason this shift worked was the creation of sustainable livelihoods. Eco-tourism offered real alternatives to hunting and logging, allowing people to earn income as bird guides, forest patrollers, and camp operators. When conservation supports everyday life, it becomes a long-term commitment, not a short-term sacrifice.
The partnership between scientists and the community was also key. The discovery of the Bugun Liocichla happened because of trust and collaboration. Scientific research didn’t override traditional knowledge; it worked alongside it, proving that conservation can be both inclusive and innovative.
Eaglenest also reminds us that a big impact doesn’t always need big infrastructure. A small birding camp launched with limited funds grew into a global example of community-driven conservation. Vision, patience, and trust mattered more than scale.
Challenges remain: climate change, tourism pressure, and the need for ongoing vigilance. But the core lesson is clear – when communities lead and benefit from conservation, both people and nature can thrive.
Eaglenest is more than just a sanctuary, it’s a living example of what’s possible when conservation is led by communities and supported by science. In protecting their forest, the Bugun people have not only preserved a remarkable ecosystem but also created a model for the world.
Their story reminds us that saving biodiversity doesn’t require grand gestures, just commitment, trust, and the willingness to work together.
If you’d like to experience Eaglenest’s beauty for yourself, its birds, forests, and the people who protect them, ChaloHoppo can help you plan a responsible and immersive visit. Come see what community-led conservation looks like and why it gives us hope. Write to us at experiences@chalohoppo.com to get started
Eaglenest is located in the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. The nearest airport is Tezpur (Assam), around 140 km away, while Guwahati (about 350 km) offers more frequent flights and better connectivity.
From either city, travelers can reach Eaglenest by road via Bhalukpong, Rupa, and Tenga Valley. Most visitors access the sanctuary via Lama Camp or Bompu Camp, both located along the Eaglenest–Tenga–Sessa route.
The best time to visit is March to May and October to early December, when bird activity is high, and the weather is pleasant. Spring (April–May) is particularly rewarding for birdwatchers, with breeding plumage on display and clear skies for photography.
Yes. Indian nationals need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter Arunachal Pradesh, while foreign nationals require a Protected Area Permit (PAP). These can be arranged through local tour operators or the Arunachal Pradesh government’s official portal. ChaloHoppo can help you plan for all necessary documentation as part of your travel package.
Planning involves arranging transportation, permits, accommodation, and ideally, local guides. Since Eaglenest is remote and lacks walk-in facilities, it’s best to book your trip in advance through a responsible travel operator. ChaloHoppo offers curated, community-based itineraries that include stays, guided birding walks, and cultural interactions with the Bugun community.
Visitors typically stay at eco-camps like Lama Camp and Bompu Camp, which are rustic but comfortable, with basic amenities, solar-powered electricity, and locally prepared food. These camps are run by members of the Bugun community and are designed to support conservation and livelihood efforts. Staying here offers a more immersive and sustainable experience of the forest.
