Intro

Balpakram National Park (BNP) is situated near the tri-border of Garo Hills, Khasi Hills & Bangladesh. Balpakram is about 170 Kms from Tura and about 60 Kms from Baghmara, the District Headquarter of South Garo Hills. Balpakram National Park was declared as the National Park by the then Governor of Meghalaya on 31st January 1986 and was later inaugurated by the then Prime Minister of India, Late Rajiv Gandhi on 27th December 1987.
Balpakram is a place of immense importance in the folklore of the Garos and it is considered sacred by the Garo forefathers and ancestors. It is believed that the soul of a deceased person passes through Balpakram in his journey to the afterlife. The Garo tribals were animistic and they cremate their dead, before the advent of Christianity into Garo Hills. There is an old saying in Garo that, "Every A'chik must see Balpakram, If not in life, then in death ".