Jatinga Birdwatching Area

Jatinga Birdwatching Area is a renowned bird observation site in Jatinga village, Dima Hasao district, Assam, about 9 km from Haflong. Situated on a forested ridge in the Borail Hills at around 600 meters elevation, it is famous for the seasonal phenomenon where migratory and local birds are attracted to lights on foggy, moonless nights between August and November. The site features a watchtower and viewpoint and draws ornithologists and nature visitors.

Visitors can expect a small hilltop birdwatching site with a concrete watchtower and viewpoint overlooking forested valleys and the Borail Hills. The area is a quiet, rural ridge surrounded by dense vegetation and village settlement. During the day visitors can enjoy scenic valley views, photography and nature walks. During the bird season (August to November), evening visits on dark, foggy and windy nights are when the unusual attraction of birds to artificial lights is observed. There are no large structures beyond the tower and basic roadside facilities.

Jatinga has been documented since the early 20th century for the unusual seasonal attraction of birds to lights during late monsoon months. The phenomenon has been studied by ornithologists and was brought to wider attention through research and documentation by naturalists, leading to the establishment of a watchtower and interpretation efforts to observe and understand the behavior.

The site is culturally significant to the local Dimasa and other tribal communities of Dima Hasao and is associated with longstanding local traditions and interpretations of the seasonal bird behavior. It is now promoted as a nature tourism and bird education site within Assam's hill region.