Sessa Orchid Sanctuary is the most beautiful site in Arunachal Pradesh state of India. This is located in West Kameng district. Te area of this sanctuary is spread over an area of approximately 100 SQKM. This sanctuary is basically known for its flowers orchids. As far as wild species are concerned, in a large and dense area o0f 100 SQKM, some wild animals are definitely habited but the majority of the area is covered with beautiful naturally grown orchids. This sanctuary is adjacent to Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary. In the entire area of this sanctuary, a hill tribe namely Bagun is habited and this is only mankind population which is residing and claiming. Tough lifestyle of the population residing in this sanctuary made this tribe brave and self reliant according to the atmosphere.
Sessa Orchid sanctuary is one of the most important visiting places in Arunachal Pradesh state of India. Location of this sanctuary is at an average elevation of 3250 mtrs from MSL (Mean Sea Level). This sanctuary was established in the year 1989 when the reorganization issue of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam states was raised by some of the regional political parties of Assam. But the matter was resolved by dialogues and the sanctuary was totally declared as Orchid sanctuary as the majority of the area was a garland of flowers. This sanctuary make a ridge with Eaglenest Wildlife sanctuary and annual rainfall is received by both the areas is not less than 3000 millimeters.
Around the sanctuary and inside the sanctuary, population of Devdar and bamboo trees are much and other trees like , Bulbophyllum, Coelogyne, Eria, Phaius and Liparis are also found in large numbers. Vegetation of this area is generally derived due to these trees and plants. Herbs, shrubs and other medicinal plants make this area vulnerable by various researchers. A large number of flower species which are still unknown ad de-shaped with bright colors are subject of research as there may be some hidden medicinal qualities in these plants. KPAC (Kameng Protected Area Complex) is maintaining all the activities being done in this sanctuary. Arunachal Research Institute based at Itanagar is one of the main organisation who is doing research in this area since long. The entire complex is spread over 3500 SQKM and covers various places of the state. This area is located at an average altitude of 3300 mtrs. This area is under the sovereignty of China. Tibet also claims on this area as the autonomous region of Tibet has a large portion of this sanctuary in its jurisdiction.
In this area more than 200 orchids are found with more than 6 species. Climate of the area is generally calm and falls in subtropiocal pattern. 12 species of Orchids have been found which are rare in world. This revealed during a joint study done here in recent past.
Being the richness in Orchid, state government has setup a research centre in this area. Forest department of the state has also established a Research center during 1989 this is just located at 20 kilometers distance from this sanctuary. Since the establishment of this center, Cleistoma tricallosum, Biermannia jainiana, , Dendrobium kentrophyllum, Epipogium sessanum, Herminium longilonbatum , Eria Jengingensis, Eria lohitensis and Gastrodia arunachalenisis has been discovered from the infinitive natural resources of orchids in this sanctuary.
This sanctuary can be accessed by all the means of transportation.
Tezpur airport is the nearest to reach this sanctuary. Three flights per week are connected to Kolkata from this airport.
Tezpur is the nearest railhead to access this sanctuary. Frequency of the trains is not good to Tezpur, de-boarding at Guwahati will be the better option for a visitor.
Tezpur also the nearest and closest bus terminus for reaching Sessa Orch9id sanctuary.