Manas National Park
Situated in the state of Assam, Manas is a sanctuary that was once a reserved hunting park for kings. The sanctuary is situated in two districts – Barpeta and Kokrajhar. It also spreads till Bhutan. The place is known for its scenic beauty and is locaated at a height of 40 to 150 m.
The destination is located in the foothills of the vast Himalayan ranges. The area is flat and the river Manas flows to the west of this park. It is spread across an area of 950 square km. The tribal culture in the area is most prominent with locals speaking various tribal languages. Hindi and Assamese are also spoken.
The history of Manas goes back to the pre-independence period of India. On October 1, 1928, Manas National Park was turned into a sanctuary with an area of 360 square km. In 1973, the Manas Tiger Reserve was opened.
Before the declaration, the Manas Sanctuary was a reserve park that was used by the royal families of Gauripur and Cooch Behar for hunting. In around 1951 to 1955, the area of the reserve was increased to 391 km.
In December 1985, the UNESCO declared it as a World Heritage Site. In 1992, it was declared as a World Heritage site in danger by the UNESCO due to poaching and terrorist activities that posed high risk to the rare species of flora and fauna found here.
The park has two biomes. They are the grassland and forest biomes. The grassland biome includes animals such as the Pygmy hog, the Indian rhinoceros, wild Asian buffalo, Bengal florican and many others. The forest biome has the slow loris, capped langur, wild pig, sambar, Malayan giant squirrel, the great horned bill and others.
Manas attracts tourists mainly because of the scenic beauty and the sanctuary. It can be reached by air, rail and road. The nearest airport is the Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, which is connected to several places all over the world. The nearest rail head is at Barpeta road. Manas can also be reached by road by NH 31 that is 22 km away. The nearest city is Guwahati.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The climate of Manas Tiger Reserve is tropical. The temperature during summer does not rise above 37°C and during the winter it stays at around 11°C. Monsoon season (May-September) brings heavy to very heavy rainfall to the tune of 160 cm, because of which the park often gets flooded.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Manas Tiger Reserve provides shelter to a variety of wildlife, including 55 mammalian species, 36 reptilian species and 3 amphibian species, thus making it the greatest protected area in India in terms of numbers.
The tiger population at Manas Reserve is approximately 80 in number. Apart from the ones named above, capped langurs, hoolock gibbons, Assamese macaques, slow lorises, leopards, panthers, golden cat, fishing cat, marbled cat, binturongs, sloth bears, wild dogs, Ganges dolphins, hog deer, Indian muntjacs, water buffaloes, gaurs (Indian bison), giant squirrels, hispid hare, otters, Indian pangolins, and some 2,000 elephants are also found here. The rare and attractive red panda has been spotted occasionally in the higher elevated portions of the forest. Over 450 species of birds have been recorded, including the Bengal florican, great pied hornbill, wreathed hornbill and few unique species of waterfowls. Reptiles include different species of snakes and the monitor lizards. The Assam roofed turtle was spotted at the Reserve as recently as 1989.
Manas forest is possibly as diverse as a natural biosphere can be. Its vegetation ranges from tropical semi-evergreen forests in the northern parts to tropical moist and dry deciduous forests of the other regions. There are extensive alluvial grasslands in the western region of the park, which comprises a variety of different grasses and shrubbery. There is also a considerable variety of aquatic flora along the Manas River.
One can hire a jeep to go around the park. The Assam State Tourist Department conducts tours, including boat trips and elephant rides. These trips are both convenient and cost effective.
PLACES AROUND MANAS
The state capital Guwahati is barely 176 km from Manas. It is a historical city formerly known as Pragjyotishpur. Situated on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra, it is famous for the temple of Goddess Kamakhya, the shrine of Shakti worship built by the Koch king Naranarayan.
Orang and Pabitora are two wildlife sanctuaries worth visiting. The one-horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) and various species of deer abound here.
The town of Hajo (25 km west of Guwahati) is a sacred place for Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists. The town also boasts of the Hayagriba Madhava Temple, accessible via a long stone stairway. Hajo and the adjacent Sarthebari village are renowned for their bell metal work.
The nearby town Barpeta is notable for the monastery and shrine dedicated to the Vaishnavite saint, Sankardeva.
HOW TO REACH
Manas Tiger reserve is 176 km from Guwahati, from where one can drive down to the park. The journey lasts approximately five and a half hours. The nearest rail junction is at Barpeta Road, 136 km from Guwahati. Guwahati in turn is a well-connected rail junction as well as an airport. The regular bus services to the park by the state transport as well as the private operators is yet another option.
The park was closed to visitors for quite a few years for security reasons but now this wildlife park is open to tourists and wildlife enthusiasts. In case you are interested in visiting this wildlife sanctuary you need to contact Assam Tourism Development Corporation office for a permit and a police escort to this lovely wildlife park.
The Fauna
The animal population of Manas is very excitingly diverse and excitement is the key world while exploring the park. Some of the more fierce or potentially aggressive creatures it harbours within it's confines are Tigers, Elephants, Rhinos, Wild Buffaloes, Leopards, Clouded Leopards and the amazingly beautiful and rare Black Panthers. The park is also a haven for highly endangered species of which it houses 20. Two of the unique residents of the park are the Hispid Hare and the Pygmy Hog.
The Flora
The vegetation that covers most of the park is of the mixed deciduous variety. This mixed forest is intermixed by small glades of grass where deer can be seen grazing in huge numbers. Altogether, Manas National Park Assam offers some of the most eye-pleasing natural surroundings in the country.
How to Reach
Situated in the state of Assam, Manas is a sanctuary that was once a reserved hunting park for kings. The sanctuary is situated in two districts – Barpeta and Kokrajhar. It also spreads till Bhutan. The place is known for its scenic beauty and is locaated at a height of 40 to 150 m. The destination is located in the foothills of the vast Himalayan ranges. The area is flat and the river Manas flows to the west of this park. It is spread across an area of 950 square km. The tribal culture in the area is most prominent with locals speaking various tribal languages. Hindi and Assamese are also spoken.
The history of Manas goes back to the pre-independence period of India. On October 1, 1928, Manas National Park was turned into a sanctuary with an area of 360 square km. In 1973, the Manas Tiger Reserve was opened.
Before the declaration, the Manas Sanctuary was a reserve park that was used by the royal families of Gauripur and Cooch Behar for hunting. In around 1951 to 1955, the area of the reserve was increased to 391 km.
In December 1985, the UNESCO declared it as a World Heritage Site. In 1992, it was declared as a World Heritage site in danger by the UNESCO due to poaching and terrorist activities that posed high risk to the rare species of flora and fauna found here.
The park has two biomes. They are the grassland and forest biomes. The grassland biome includes animals such as the Pygmy hog, the Indian rhinoceros, wild Asian buffalo, Bengal florican and many others. The forest biome has the slow loris, capped langur, wild pig, sambar, Malayan giant squirrel, the great horned bill and others.
Manas attracts tourists mainly because of the scenic beauty and the sanctuary. It can be reached by air, rail and road. The nearest airport is the Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, which is connected to several places all over the world. The nearest rail head is at Barpeta road. Manas can also be reached by road by NH 31 that is 22 km away. The nearest city is Guwahati.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The climate of Manas Tiger Reserve is tropical. The temperature during summer does not rise above 37°C and during the winter it stays at around 11°C. Monsoon season (May-September) brings heavy to very heavy rainfall to the tune of 160 cm, because of which the park often gets flooded.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Manas Tiger Reserve provides shelter to a variety of wildlife, including 55 mammalian species, 36 reptilian species and 3 amphibian species, thus making it the greatest protected area in India in terms of numbers.
The tiger population at Manas Reserve is approximately 80 in number. Apart from the ones named above, capped langurs, hoolock gibbons, Assamese macaques, slow lorises, leopards, panthers, golden cat, fishing cat, marbled cat, binturongs, sloth bears, wild dogs, Ganges dolphins, hog deer, Indian muntjacs, water buffaloes, gaurs (Indian bison), giant squirrels, hispid hare, otters, Indian pangolins, and some 2,000 elephants are also found here. The rare and attractive red panda has been spotted occasionally in the higher elevated portions of the forest. Over 450 species of birds have been recorded, including the Bengal florican, great pied hornbill, wreathed hornbill and few unique species of waterfowls. Reptiles include different species of snakes and the monitor lizards. The Assam roofed turtle was spotted at the Reserve as recently as 1989.
Manas forest is possibly as diverse as a natural biosphere can be. Its vegetation ranges from tropical semi-evergreen forests in the northern parts to tropical moist and dry deciduous forests of the other regions. There are extensive alluvial grasslands in the western region of the park, which comprises a variety of different grasses and shrubbery. There is also a considerable variety of aquatic flora along the Manas River.
One can hire a jeep to go around the park. The Assam State Tourist Department conducts tours, including boat trips and elephant rides. These trips are both convenient and cost effective.
PLACES AROUND MANAS
The state capital Guwahati is barely 176 km from Manas. It is a historical city formerly known as Pragjyotishpur. Situated on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra, it is famous for the temple of Goddess Kamakhya, the shrine of Shakti worship built by the Koch king Naranarayan.
Orang and Pabitora are two wildlife sanctuaries worth visiting. The one-horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) and various species of deer abound here.
The town of Hajo (25 km west of Guwahati) is a sacred place for Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists. The town also boasts of the Hayagriba Madhava Temple, accessible via a long stone stairway. Hajo and the adjacent Sarthebari village are renowned for their bell metal work.
The nearby town Barpeta is notable for the monastery and shrine dedicated to the Vaishnavite saint, Sankardeva.
HOW TO REACH
The park was closed to visitors for quite a few years for security reasons but now this wildlife park is open to tourists and wildlife enthusiasts. In case you are interested in visiting this wildlife sanctuary you need to contact Assam Tourism Development Corporation office for a permit and a police escort to this lovely wildlife park.
The Fauna
The animal population of Manas is very excitingly diverse and excitement is the key world while exploring the park. Some of the more fierce or potentially aggressive creatures it harbours within it's confines are Tigers, Elephants, Rhinos, Wild Buffaloes, Leopards, Clouded Leopards and the amazingly beautiful and rare Black Panthers. The park is also a haven for highly endangered species of which it houses 20. Two of the unique residents of the park are the Hispid Hare and the Pygmy Hog.
The Flora
The vegetation that covers most of the park is of the mixed deciduous variety. This mixed forest is intermixed by small glades of grass where deer can be seen grazing in huge numbers. Altogether, Manas National Park Assam offers some of the most eye-pleasing natural surroundings in the country.
How to Reach
- Air
Manas Park is 176-kms from Guwahati. The nearest airport is Borjhar, which is situated, 5-km out of town, and can be reached by rickshaw, auto rickshaw or airline buses. - Rail
The nearest railhead is situated at Barpeta road. - Road
Buses regularly ply from Guwahati to Barpeta Road in 4½ hrs.
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