Manas National Park or Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is a major #nationalpark in #India. A #UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, it’s a Project Tiger reserve, an elephant reserve and a #biosphere reserve in #Assam, India on the foothills of #Himalaya, it is contiguous with the Royal Manas National Park in #Bhutan. Spread across an area of 39,100 hectares, it spans the Manas river and is bounded to the north by the forests of Bhutan.
It was declared a sanctuary on 1 October 1928. Manas bio reserve was created in 1973. Prior to declaration of sanctuary, it was a reserved forest called Manas R.F. and North Kamrup R.F. In 1951 and 1955 the area was increased to 391 km2 and declared a World Heritage site in December 1985 by UNESCO. Kahitama R.F. the Kokilabari R.F. and the Panbari R.F. were added in 1990 to form Manas National Park. In 1992, UNESCO declared it as world heritage site in danger due to poaching and terror acts. On 21 June 2011, it was removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger and was commended for its efforts in conservation efforts.
Besides tiger and elephants the sanctuary has recorded 55 species of mammals, 380 species of birds, 50 of reptiles, and 3 species of amphibians, of these 21 mammals are India’s Schedule I mammals and 31 of them are threatened. There are four types of vegetation in Manas National Park namely, Sub-Himalayan Light Alluvial Semi-Evergreen forests (northern parts); East Himalayan mixed Moist and Dry Deciduous forests; Low Alluvial Savanna Woodland, and Assam Valley Semi-Evergreen Alluvial Grasslands.
Manas is one of the nine tiger reserve sanctuaries in India. Other wildlife spices found in national park are Hispid Hare, Pigmy Hog, Golden Langur, Indian Rhinoceros, Asiatic Buffalo etc. Other commonly seen animals are Elephant, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Himalayan Bear, Wild Boar, Samber, Swamp Deer, Hog Deer etc. The park is well known for being home to rare and endangered wildlife species that are not found anywhere else in the world like the Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur and pygmy hog.
A bird watchers paradise, it also has more than 450 species of birds include the endangered Bengal Florican, giant Hornbills, Fishing eagles, Jungle fowls, Finn’s weaver and Magpie Robins. Common species include Small Minivet, Grey headed Canary Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Black rested Bulbul, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Russet Sparrow, that are frequently seen. Manas is the only landscape in the world where pristine Terai Grasslands are seen merging with the Bhabar grasslands interspersed with diverse habitats ascending to Semi-Evergreen forests and then to Bhutan Himalayas.
The Biodiversity is very rich here. The last population of the Pygmy Hog survive in the wilds of Manas and nowhere else in the world. Manas is the only landscape in the world where pristine Terai Grasslands are seen merging with the Bhabar grasslands interspersed with diverse habitats ascending to Semi-Evergreen forests and then to Bhutan Himalayas. The Biodiversity is very rich here. The last population of the Pygmy Hog survive in the wilds of Manas and nowhere else in the world. There are two major biomes that are represented in Manas – the grassland biome and the forest biome.
The best time to visit Manas National park in Assam is from November to April, when the weather is pleasant and there is higher probability of spotting more animals and birds. The park is open everyday and close only due to exceptional reasons like rain or safety. June to September is a monsoon period, the park remains closed. Well connected by road from #Guwahati that is 176 kms away which also provides the rail and air link. Tourist visiting the Manas national park can indulge in lot of activities. Nature lovers who wish to see the nature at its pristine best can indulge in a variety of activities such as river rafting, jeep safari, elephant safari.
The tourist interested in staying inside the park and stay in the numerous cottages built to provide comfortable living standards for the tourist. besides tourist the reserve forest tourist can also visit Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GATC), a monastery & shrine of Vaishnavite reformer Mahadeva in and around the National Park. Manas is a rare blend of fliora and fauna that keeps the tourist mesmerized with its unspoilt beauty and pristine environment making it a must visit place on the list of nature lovers.
