Along Forest Division:

Climate: The Along Forest Division falls within the limit of the geographical sub-tropical region, but the area experiences tropical climate with three distinct seasons viz. Summer rains and winter due to its location. The hills and plains of varying elevations are found intermixed in the area resulting in variation of climate from place to place. The summer season is less pronounced because of the early start of the pre-monsoon rains towards the end of the winter season. The winter season lasts from the month of November to the month of March. The rainy season starts with the intermittent pre-monsoon showers in the end of March, with merge with the monsoon rains toward the end of May. With the onset of the South West monsoon the humidity increases sharply and rise in the temperature makes the weather unpleasant particularly during the month of June, July and August. The hottest period is between July and August and the coldest period falls within December and January. The fertile soil, topography and climate have made this area favorable for growth of many kind of trees Shrubs, climbers and herbs.

Temperature: The temperature and the relative humidity data of Along forest Division from 1975 to 1996 was collected from the office of the District Statistical Officer , Along and are given in the Annexure IV. The mean maximum temperature of May, June, July, August and September are 31.73⁰ C28.09⁰C34.9⁰ C35.21⁰ C and 32.88⁰ respectively, the hottest month being August. On the other hand, the colder months are from December to February with the mean minimum temperature of 10.63⁰ C 9.05⁰ and 10.45⁰ C respectively, the coldest month being January.

Rain fall: The rainfall in the region is governed by both the southwest and northeast monsoon. The south west monsoon operates from May/June to September/ October and is responsible for more than three fourth of the total annual rainfall. The northeast monsoon accounts for the balance rainfall during the months from November to April. The details of the mean rainfall data of Along, Basar, Liromoba, Genssi, Turing, Monigong, Gelling, Kaying and Likabali are given in the tables in Annesure-5. The maximum amount of precipitation has being recorded in the month of July (520.80 mm) and the minimum being recorded in the month of December (Nill) during 1996. It is interesting to not that there is not a single dry month in the Division. Out of the different places in Along Division. Tuting appears to get the minimum mean annual precipitation (around  4.000mm.) and monigaon getting the minimum mean annual precipitation while Along, Basar, Liromoba, Likabali, Gelling, Keying and Gensi fall in intermediate high rainfall zone.

Wind: Winds are generally of low intensity during the South West monsoon season. During the rest of the year winds are generally moderate, which usually flow towards plains in the night and towards the hills during the day time.

Regeneration status: The natural regeneration in these forests is generally poor and at places absent, except for some well stocked or medium stocked forest where natural regeneration has been found in varying degrees. The Rangge and Maru Jam Reserve Forests have not been operated for harvesting of timber and other major forest produce, in the past where occurrence of mature crop of trees inhibits young regeneration.

Injuries to which crop is liable: The climatic and edaptic factors prevailing in this region are in general conducive to the growth or forests and therefore these forests are less susceptible to various detrimental effects and injuries.

a) Fire: Occasional   in  Pine  Forest   in  higher elevation. Other broad leave forests are not much affected. b) Wind and storm: Infrequent but does considerable damage in generally pre-monsoon season. c) Frost : Not much damage hits been observed in the forests. d) Climbers: Climbers are detrimental to these forests and cause considerable damage to the forests. The damage caused to the standing crop by climber and lianas such  as Aittcia pinncitu. Bciuhini vuhlii. Spaih< roxbvrghii. Vitix latifoiia, Ficus candem. Mikcnu-etc is considerably high. e) Erosion: Riverbank erosion, land slides etc. cause considerable damage to ins crops. f) Animals: Grazing by  wild animals has  not caused any serious damage to these forests though elephant cause some damage to young crop. Damage to crop by other animal is negligible. g) Grazing: The incidence of grazing by the domestic cattle's in the forest and plantation areas are seen in and around the habitation. h) Insects: No incidence of insect damage has been noticed in the natural crop. However in Gamari and leak plantation damage caused by the defoliators has been noticed. i) Weeds: Weeds are heavy in the new plantation areas and have to be kept under control by frequent weedings. j) Epiphytes: The most common Ficus species found in the forest are: Lorunthux ampullaceous Finis mysorensis.& Fallissima.eltisticu,Ficus reinsa which can cause damage to host trees. k) Fungus: The fungi in general do not cause any major damage the forests. l) Drought: Since the area receives sufficient and well distribute rainfall through-cut the year, the area is not subjected to drought. m) Man: Man is the most influential agency that affects natural forests and causes major damage to forests. The destruction of forest by the man in the form of encroachment, Jhuming, Illegal felling of trees and causing forest fires etc. are main reasons for decrease in forest cover near habitation, villages, etc. n) Wildlife: The damage to the forests by wild animals is not sufficient, though wild elephants may some times cause damage to the plantation.

Wild Life: The Division is rich in biodiversity. In the past wild animals were in abundance in the region. But of late with the increase in human population forests have been put under trernendous pressure for various developmental works. The wildlife has dwindled due to the customary hunting by local tribals. However the Division still has fairly large number of  wildlife compared to adjoining Assam.

The important wildlife species found in the forests of the Division is given below: 

MAMMALS:

C. Reptiles:

D. Amphibia

1. Tylototriton verrucosus (Anderson)                      Himalayan Newt.

Source : Zoological Survey of India (Ref. Vide kr. Mo. F.4-2/94-Tech/788 did. 14.12.94.)

©2005 Copyright Department of Forests & Environment, Government of Arunachal Pradesh.