Phawngpui National Park

Phawngpui is the highest peak in Mizoram. There is a semi-circular series of cliffs on the western side called Thlazuang Khàm, which have a sharp and deep fall, and serve as the natural home of mountain goats. These cliffs are believed to be haunted by spirits. On the peak, there is a level ground of about 2 km2 in area. Since 1992 the mountain has been included in the protected area of the Phawngpui National Park, one of only two national parks of India in Mizoram. The Government of Mizoram allows ecofriendly visit to the mountain only during November to April.

The area is encircled by matted bamboo groves and other alluring vegetation. There are varieties of butterflies, including some rare species found in this region. The Farpak area in Phawngpui is a huge grassland adjacent to a cliff area where one can sight birds like peregrine falcon, Blyth’s tragopan, sunbirds, grey sibia, golden-throated barbet, Mrs. Hume’s pheasant, hornbill, dark-rumped swift, mountain bamboo partridge, black eagle and other birds.The very rare clouded leopard has been recorded in the Farpak area since 1992. There have been instances of wild orchids being stolen from Phawngpui, efforts are being taken to protect and conserve it.s

History
In past, there was a ruler of the ghosts called Sangau lived nearby to the Phawngpui Tlang (Blue Mountain). Cheriang, another ruler lived across a small number of peaks. The King of Ghosts had a worthy son and the King of Cherian a lovely daughter and they were soon married to each other.

The wedding watched the interchange of certain wonderful handouts and the greatest valued between them were – the gift of a Pine Tree from the partner’s family and a couple of Hollock Gibbons from the Ruler of Ghosts to the timberlands of Cherian. The area where the lone pine stood is called Farpak (single Pine) and today it has multiplied to a plenty while the Hollock’s that roam the forests of Cheriang are the original gift of Sangau – they sadly did not breed.
Today, Blue Mountain is a National Park, Sangau a 1000 household strong village close to it, Cheriang is the name of a hill in Burma. Phawngpui Blue Mountain National Park is also known as Phawngpui National Park. It was declared as a National Park in the year of 1992. Total area of the park is about 50 Km2. The Park derives its name from the mountain peak Phawngpui, often called the Blue Mountain of Mizoram, which is the highest mountain peak in the state, reaching at a height of about 2157 meters. The word Phawngpui is derived from the Lai word Phongpi meaning Phulpui in Mizo which means grassland in English.