Dampa Tiger Reserve (DTR), located in "Mamit District, north western Mizoram", is the largest protected wildlife area in the State, bordering Tripura and Bangladesh. Declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1976 and a Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger in 1994, it covers a 545 sq. km core area and a 443 sq. km buffer area.

The Field Director’s Office is at West Phaileng, about 80 km northwest of Aizawl. Range Headquarters are at Teirei and Phuldungsei , with Forest Rest Houses accommodating about '10 persons each'.

Biodiversity
Dampa supports diverse wildlife, including "Tigers, Elephants, Wild Gaurs, Leopards, Clouded Leopards, Marbled Cats, Wild Dogs, Sambar, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Bears and Serow". It is an important habitat for the clouded leopard in India and supports "eight (8) primate species", including hoolock gibbons, stump-tailed macaques, capped langurs and slow lorises.

Its forests include moist deciduous, evergreen and semi-evergreen types, with bamboo, reed thickets and hilltop grasslands. The reserve receives 2,000–2,500 mm of annual rainfall and is drained by rivers including Teirei, Keisalam, Seling, Saza and Aivapui.

Notable Species Discovered

Year - Species

2010 - Bambusa dampaena

2013 - Garra dampaensis

2018 - Begonia dampae

2021 - Merothrips mizoramensis

2023 - Bufoides bhupathyi

Cultural & Tourist Significance
Dampa combines wildlife, natural and cultural heritage. Serhmun is associated with the Mizo warrior Taitesena , while Dampa village is linked to Chief Savuta. Key attractions include Chikha salt lick, Talhtum Tlang and Chhawrpial Tlang. The reserve offers opportunities for wildlife viewing, birdwatching, trekking, nature exploration and eco-tourism.