The state has two National Parks - Nobrek
and Balpakam, and two wildlife sanctuaries - Nongkyllem and Siju.
Balpakram is a fertile virgin land. The unsurveyed belts of limestone and
coal deposits, along with sea shells fossilized into rocks in Balpakram Hill
provide immense scope for geological and archeological studies. The fauna of
this area includes elephants, wild buffaloes, gaur (Indian bison), sambar,
barking deer, wild boar, slow loris, capped langur as well as predators such
as tigers, leopards, clouded leopards and the rare golden cat.
Nokrek Biosphere Reserve is located in the Garo Hills district, 2 kms from
Tura Peak. The reserve is one of the least disturbed forest tracts of the
sub-Himalayan ranges. It is the first biosphere reserve of its kind in the
northeast region. The Garo Hills contain many natural limestone caves. The
famous Siju Cave is located very close to the Nophak Lake near the Simsang
River Game Reserve. The cave is filled with water and is miles long.
