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Manas National Park
Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam was created in 1973 at the time of launch of the Project Tiger in India. The Reserve
area falls in six districts, Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Nalbari, Kamrup and Darrang. Barnadi Wildlife Sanctuaryis located in the buffer of the Reserve. Manas is located at the confluence of Indian,Ethiopean and Indo-Chinese realms resulting in the magnificient biodiversity.
It is situated on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra river. There are numerous rivers criss-crossing the Reserve, namely, Sankosh, Saralbangha, Hel, Tanali, Courang, Sidli (Bhor) Aio, Manas, Beki, Pathimari, kaladia, Tihunala, Morapagaldia, Nala, Braalia, Pbornodi and Dhansiri. Waterholes have also been created at Buraburijhar, Makhibaha and Daulabil, in the core area.
The Reserve runs along the Indo-Bhutan international border, with contiguous wildlife habitats in Bhutan. The river Manas flows from the gorges of Bhutan and splits into two major streams as it enters India. The peace and tranquility of the site, Mathanguri, is a gift of nature in its finest form.
While the core-zone, the Manas National Park, is a pristine wildlife habitat, the rest of the Reserve is a collection of eighteen Reserved Forests intertwined with revenue villages. While traversing the Reserve from West to East, one comes across sal forests, both virgin and degraded, moist-deciduous forests, isolated patches of ever-green forests, riverine forests, grasslands of both savannah and terai types, and miscellaneous forests.
Manas habitat provides an excellent abode to the tiger as well as prey species: Hog deer, Sambar, Swamp deer, Asiatic wild buffalo and Gaur. These species migrate freely across the international border.
Location of Manas National Park: In far-flung Kamrup district of Assam at an altitude of 80 m (260 ft). Nearest airport is Guwahati (17 km; 110 miles), which has flight connections with the New Delhi and Calcutta. Nearest railhead is Barpeta Road, 40 km (25 miles) from Manas. Barpeta Road connected by rail with Calcutta.
Climate of Manas National Park: Between May and September is monsoon season. Winter nights are chilly (can drop to 7°C or 45°F) while days are pleasant (24°C; 75°F). Summer is mild, reaching highs of 35°C(95°F).
When to go ( Manas National Park) : : Best time to visit is between November and March.
Getting to Manas National Park : One can reach the park via bus or hired car from Barpeta Road. No motorable roads in the park, but trained elephants at Mathanguri (the entry pint) take visitors through the forest.
Facilities at Manas National Park: Forest rest houses and loges
Landscapes of Manas National Park: Spectacular mountain views with their green, forested mantle; rare wild orchids.
Reservations for Manas National Park: Permission to visit the park, bookings and any special permits may be obtained form; The field Director, Manas Tiger Reserve, Barpeta Road, Assam. Ask Wildindiaguid.com to help you to get the best accomodation.
The National park : Manas National Park
Sub-Himalayan forests - Manas National Park
A remarkable diversity of forest vegetation exists within the confines of the park. It is flanked by the sub-Himalayan mixed deciduous forests and Assam valley evergreen forests to the north and a combination of rich babar Sal, eastern wet alluvial grassland around the Benki and Hekua rivers and alluvial savannah woodlands to the south. Manas is a treasure-house of plants
and trees - 550 species - which include some rather rare varieties of wild orchid. Shisham, Badam (Indain Nut)Lali, Chalta (Dellenai sp. ), Amla , Bauhinia, Flame of the Forest and fruit trees such as Mulberry and Guava dot the true wilderness area of the forest. Wet and wild Monsoons - Manas National Park
The tall grasslands of the terai belt supports an ecosystem that sustains an extensive number of wild animals, and harbours some rare and endemic species. Manas is home to 60 mammals, of which 41 have been listed in the IUCN's (International Union of Conservation of Natural Recourses) Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. They include Tiger, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, and of the smaller cats, the Marbled, Leopard, Golden and Fishing species. Other mammals are Great Indian One horned Rhinoceros, Indian Elephant, Indian Wild Buffalo, Red Panda (or Cat Beer) and Capped Langur (Leaf Monkey).Pygmy Hog and Golden Langur - Manas National Park
The most endangered animals in the reserve are Golden Langur, Pygmy Hog and Hispid Hare. Today, Pygmy Hog and Golden Langur survive only in this park.
The latter is the smallest known member of the pig family, and according to IUCN, is one of the 12 most endangered animals in the world. It was rediscovered, together with the Golden Langur, in the Manas forests in 1971. The pygmy Hog is nocturnal by nature and lives in herds of five to twenty; its habits are similar to those of the Indian Wild Boar. Predation is the cause of this animal's dwindling numbers.
The existence of a new species of Monkey - eventually named Golden Langur - was established by a Mr. E P Gee and it was given the Latin name Presbytis geei. Small troupes of about nine consisting of one adult male, one or more females and several sub-adults exist in localized zones of evergreen forest between the Sankosh River in the west and the Manas in the east. During winter, this species' coat is a golden chestnut colour, which becomes paler with the advent of summer. Golden Langur feed on the fruits, flowers and leaves.
Manas' varied habitat is ideal for countless types of birds. Species of interest are Assamese Myna, Indian Lorikeet, Rufous-bellied niltava, Rubycheek, Crossbill, Malkoha, Kalij Pheasant, Orange-bellied Blue Magpie, Blue-headed Flycatcher, Great Indian Hornbill, Indian Hobby, and Blyth's Baza. Huge populations of migratory waders and water birds such as large cormorants, Grey Heron, Yellow Bittern, Lesser Whistling Teal and Comb Duck make the Manas River and its tributaries, the Benki and Hakua, their temporary home.
Conservation History
Manas Tiger Reserve was created in 1973, with Manas Sanctuary as its core. Manas Sanctuary with an area of 360 sq. km., was created way back in 1928. Prior to declaration of the sanctuary, the area was Reserved Forest (R.F.) called Manas R.F. and North Kamrup R.F. The Raja of Gauripur and the Cooch-Bihar Royal Family were using these areas as a hunting preserve. The sanctuary was later extended by two successive additions in 1951 and 1955 to 391 sq. km. by including the entire North Kamrup R.F. and the Manas R.F. Later the Kahitama R.F., the Kokilabari R.F. and the Panbari R.F. were added and the area was declared as Manas National Park in 1990.
Forest Types
Sub-Himalayan High Alluvial Semi-Evergreen Forests ,Eastern Valoor Type of Forests ,East Himalayan Moist Mixed Deciduous Forests ,Low Alluvial Savana Woodland ,Assam Valley Semi-Evergreen Alluvial Grasslands .
Main Species(Flora )
Shorea robusta, Artocarpus Chaplasha, Bauhinia sps., Bombax ceiba, Careya arborea, Chukrasia tabularis, Dillenia pentagyna, Lagestroemia parviflora, Leea aequata, Leea Crispa, Melastoma malbathricum, Oroxylum indicum, Toona ciliata, Trewia nodiflora, Sterculia villosa, Bischofia javanica, Callicarpa arboarea, Dendrocalamus bamiltonii, Duabanga g
randiflora, Holarrhaena antidysentrica, Mallotus phillippensis, Mukuna bracteata, Pouzolzia zeylanica, Syzygium formosum, Terminalia bellarica, Zingibar zecumber, Zizyphus mauritiana etc. and grasses Imperata Cylindrica, Narenga porphyrocoma, Panicum sps., Saccharum arundinaceum, thysanolaena maxima etc.
Main Species(Fauna) Capped Langur, golden Langur, Assamese Macaque, Rhesus Macaque, Common Langur, Slow Loris, Royal Bengal Tiger, Black Panther, Leopard Cat, Clouded Leopard, Wild Cat, Golden Cat, Fishing Cat, Large Indian Civet, Small Indian Civet, Common Palm Civet, Himalayan Palm Civet, Binturong, Common Mongoose, Small Indian Mongoose, Dhole, Jackal, Indian Fox, Red Fox, Himalayan Black Bear, Sloth Bear, Smooth Indian Otter, Yellow Throated Materna, Chinese Badger, Yellow bellied Weasel, Common Otter, Indian Pangolin, Bearded Sheathtailed Bat, Fulvous Fruit Bat, Short nosed Fruit Bat, Greater Yellow Bat, Three Stripped Palm Squirrel, Five Stripped Palm Squirrel, Malayan giant squirrel, Bay Bamboo Rat, Little Indian Field Mouse, Indian Porcupine, Asiatic Elephant, The Great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros, The Gaur, the Asiatic Water Buffalo, Sambar, Hog Deer, Barking Deer, Swamp Deer, Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, the Gangetic Dolphin.
Endangered Species
There are 21 recorded endangered species of mammals. These are Capped Langur, golden Langur, Slow Loris, Tiger, Black Panther, Leopard Cat, Clouded Leopard, Golden Cat, Fishing Cat, Bear cat, Sloth Bear, Asian Elephant, Indian Pangolin, one-horned rhinoceros, Asiatic Water Buffalo, Swamp Deer, Particoloured Flying Squirrel, Hispid Hare and Gangetic Dolphin.
Special Projects
New Initiatives
Eco-development
Ecodevelopment involves bringing qualitative and attitudinal changes in the lives of people living in surrounding villages, and thereby securing overall ecological well being. A humble beginning towards improving amenities in these villages through ecodevelopment works, was made during 1996-97. Medical aid, drinking water facilities and energy efficient chulahs were provided to the village folk under the programme. Few environmental awareness camps were organised.
Village Forest Protection Committees
So far no Village Forest Protection Committee is functioning in the area. However, local groups such as Eco-Clubs and Manas Bandhu Groups have been formed with active facilitation of Manas management. These groups are promoting wildlife awareness, concern towards protection of flora & fauna, and involvement of people in the ecodevelopment activities.
Protection Squads / Patrolling
Patrolling parties from the interior beats and camps venture for patrolling on routine basis. Other than this, there exist armed contingents at the Directorate Headquarters at Barpeta Road and at the Range Headquarters of Bansbari, Panbari and Bhuyanpara Ranges. These render additional help in patrolling and protection as and when required.
Education and Awareness
Promoting education and awareness has been the basic agenda of the Manas management from the very inception. However, the process has been slow. High priority is being accorded at present to the awareness programs and involvement of NGOs. Activities like organizing nature camps, meeting, processions, formation of eco-clubs, Manas Bandhu groups and organizing exhibitions in schools, colleges and cultural gatherings like Bodo Sahitya Sabha, are being taken up.
