About Siju Wildlife Sanctuary
Siju Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area located near Siju village in South Garo Hills district, Meghalaya, on the banks of the Simsang River. Established in 1979 as Meghalaya's first wildlife sanctuary, it covers about 5.18 square kilometres. It is known for its dense forest, limestone caves including the Siju Cave, and diverse fauna such as elephants, hoolock gibbons, and numerous bird species, forming part of the Balpakram-Baghmara landscape.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a compact forested sanctuary along the Simsang River with dense deciduous and evergreen cover, limestone formations and the nearby Siju Cave (Dobakkol) known for its bat colony. The area offers wildlife viewing and birdwatching opportunities, nature trails through forested terrain, views of the river valley, and guided exploration of the cave system just outside the core sanctuary boundary.
Key highlights
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Meghalaya's first wildlife sanctuary notified in 1979 covering 5.18 sq km
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Located on the banks of the Simsang River in South Garo Hills
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Adjacent to the famous Siju Cave (Siju Dobakkol) - one of the longest cave systems in India
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Habitat for Asian elephant, hoolock gibbon, barking deer, and diverse birdlife
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Part of the Balpakram-Baghmara elephant corridor and biodiversity landscape
History of Siju Wildlife Sanctuary
Notified in 1979 as the first wildlife sanctuary of Meghalaya, covering 5.18 sq km. It was established to protect the rich biodiversity of the South Garo Hills and the Siju Cave system (Siju Dobakkol), one of the longest limestone cave systems in the Indian subcontinent, and forms part of the Balpakram-Baghmara conservation landscape.
Culture & Context
Located in the Garo Hills inhabited by the Garo (A'chik) community, the sanctuary lies along the Simsang River which is culturally important locally. The nearby Siju Cave is traditionally known as Dobakkol meaning bat cave in the Garo language.
Route
| By air |
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