Mizoram has the most variegated hilly terrain in the eastern part of India. The hills are steep and are separated by rivers which flow either to the north or south creating deep gorges between the hill ranges. The average height of the hills is about 900 meters. The highest peak in Mizoram is Phawngpui (Blue Mountain with a height of 2210 metres. The region is a bio-geographic highway connecting the Indian Peninsula to the Malay and Chinese sub-regions, and the flora and faunal interchange between the east and the west is believed to have contributed much to the high bio-diversity of the region. By virtue of the lush vegetation, congenial climate and tropical locations. Mizoram could boast of diverse flora and fauna. However, little is known about their status and distribution and this coupled with the increase in population and other developmental activities in recent years, the forest of Mizoram along with its denizens are fast vanishing and caused many of the magnificent wildlife to retreat to the interiors and in the confinement of Sanctuaries and Regional Parks. Out of a total geographical area of 21,087 Sq.Kms. the Reserved and Protected Forest cover about 10,695 Sq.Kms.

Till date there are 2 National Parks, 2 Wildlife Sanctuaries and 1 Tiger Reserve. Dampa Tiger Reserve: Occupies an area of 500 sq kms .(approx) and lies in the west along the Bangladesh border. The Tropic of Cancer passes through the center of the Reserve. Apart from bigger mammals such as Tiger, Elephant and Gaur, the Reserve supports a substantial primate diversity and is one of the important sties for the Phayre‘s Leaf Monkey and the Hoolock Gibbon. Among the squirrels, the Giant Squirrel and Fellas Squirrel are noteworthy. All allow attitude galliformes are present in the Reserve and all the Reserve and all the three species of Chloropsis found within the Indian sub-continent are found here. Three(3) species of Hornbills, namely the Great Hornbill (Bucaros bicornis), Wreathed Hornbill (Rhyticeros undulates) and the Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthrococeros albirostris) are also found there. Among the Woodpeckers - Great Slaty Woodpecker (Mulleripicus pulperulentus), Greater Yellonape Woodpecker (Picus falvinucha), Bay Woodpecker (Blythipicus pyrrhotta), Greater Flameback (Picus chlorolophus), Greyfaced Woodpecker (Gecinulds grantic) are found in Dampa Tiger Reserve. Murlen National Park : lies close to the Indo-Myanmar border and covers an area of approximately 200 Sg Km. Having large tracts of relatively undisturbed sub-tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen (Oak-dominated) forests. The Park is rich in both mammalian and avifauna with primates and squirrels predominating. The threatened Stump-Tailed Macaque (Macaca arctoides) is among the most important primates found here. The also holds two important threatened galliform species - the Hume‘s Bartailed Pheasant (Syrmaticus humise ) and the Rufousthroated Partridge (Arberophila refogulari), and all the 11 species of Bulbuls reported from the North East Hills. Among the Woodpeckers, Speckled Piculet (Picumnus innominaturs \), Stripedheaded Woodpecker (Dendrocopos stratus), Greater Yellownape (Picus flavinucha), Lesser Yellownage (P. chlorolephus), Bay Woodpeckers (Bthythigicus pyrrhotis) are common. Three specis of Hornbills are also found here - Priental pied Hornbill (anthracoceros albirostris), Greater Hornbill (Buceros bicornis) and Wreathed Horbill (Rhyticeros undulates.

Phawngpui National Park:

On Myanmar border South-east Mizoram covers the hihest peak in Mizoram, the Blue Mountain at 2157 m. This small area is an isolated patch of some fragmented, good canopied forests, predominantly Oak. Inspite of being small, this area supports a good population of Goral, Serow and most importantly. The endangered Blyth‘s Tragopan (Tragopan biythii).Among Woodpeckers, so far only 3 spicies are recorded viz, Grey-crowned Pigmy Woodpecker (Dendracopus hyperythrus) and Bay Woodpecker (Blythipicus pyrrhotis).

Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary:

South Mizoram is known for its primary Diptercarp forests. Spread-over an area of 150 Sq Km., the Sanctuary has an abundance of Wildlife and Avifauna. The Slow Loris and Hoolock Gibbon are notable among the primates. Detailed survey of flora and fauna is yet to be conducted. Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary: located in Central-Eastern Mizoram, it is the smallest protected are of the state. Detailed survey of the flora and fauna are yet to be conducted. Besides the faunal resources, the forests of Mizoram support a wide variety of plants and orchids. Many of the plant species are of great medicinal and systematic studies in ethro-botany is yet to be conducted. Popular among the wild orchids are the Vandas - Red Vanda and Blue Vanda, Lady‘s Sliper (Paphiopedilum species), Caelogyne, and Rhynchostylis.