Occupying a tranquil location in the north-eastern state of Assam, Manas National Park is set in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas. Also known as Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, the park is home to a number of endangered and rare wildlife species. Two major biomes exist in the national park, namely the grassland biome and forest biome.
The popularity of the park among nature lovers can be attributed to its extensive biodiversity and natural beauty. It serves as a natural habitat for almost 380 species of birds, 55 of mammals, 50 of reptiles and three of amphibians. Royal Bengal Tigers, hispid hare, golden langur, Assam roofed turtle, pygmy hog, red-headed trogon, greater adjutant, Bengal florican and black-tailed crake are some of the species that can be seen here.
It rains heavily during the monsoon; hence, the best time to visit is from October to April. Although wildlife sightings mostly occur at close range, it is quite unpredictable in the park. Riverbanks are usually regarded as ideal sighting spots to see elephants and rhinoceros. Jeep safari is a convenient and popular way to explore the park. A boat ride is the only option to access several sites that lie on the other side of the river. Besides, an elephant ride across the dense forest is a good way to spot the regional wildlife. Apart from bird watching and nature walks in the protected territory, exciting activities like trekking and camping are also popular here. A short day tour to the surrounding villages offers a chance to get acquainted with the tribal life and culture.
Accommodation is not a problem when on a visit to the park. Forest rest houses in Bansbari and Mathanguri, and traditional cottages in Kokilabari can be chosen to stay. Besides, several other staying options are available along Barpeta Road on the outskirts of the park.
History
The name of park finds its origin from the river, Manas, which is in turn named after the serpent deity, Manasa. The river is the largest tributary of the Brahmaputra River and meanders through the park.
Manas National Park was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1928. Later in 1973, Manas bio reserve came into existence. Prior to that, it was a reserved forest, known as Manas Reserved Forest and North Kamrup Reserve Forest, and the area was frequently used by the royal family of Cooch Behar and the king of Gauripur as a hunting ground.
In the year, 1985, the park was declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site. In 1989, the wildlife hotspot was awarded the status of a biosphere reserve, and further established as a national park in 1990 after expanding its area to cover the neighbouring Panbari, Kokilabari and Kahitama reserve forests.
Due to increase in terrorist activities and poaching between 1988 and 1996, the UNESCO redefined it as a World Heritage Site in Danger, but the situation was made stable and the park was again opened for nature lovers. In 2011, the park was removed by UNESCO from the list of World Heritage in Danger. In recent years, it has been globally admired for its noteworthy contribution to preserving the biodiversity of the region.
Geography
Located in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, Manas National Park covers parts of five districts in the state of Assam namely Kokrajhar, Baksa, Udalguri, Chirang and Darrang. The park shares its northern border with Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan, whereas its southern part is bounded by the Kamrup district of Assam. To the east and west are majorly forest reserves that are the fraction of the well-known Manas Tiger Reserve.
Manas National Park is spread over an area of approximately 500 sq km, situated at an elevation of 61 metres to 110 metres above mean sea level. Featuring thick rainforests and lush hills, the park is broadly separated into three ranges, namely the Western, Central and Eastern. The Western Range is part of Panbari, while the Central Range lies in Bansbari near Barpeta Road. The Eastern Range is based in Bhuiyapara near Pathsala. These ranges are not connected properly, and two major rivers need to be crossed to reach the Western Range from the Central one. Similarly, only a rugged trail connects the Central Range to the Eastern Range. Bansbari and the inner region of the forest around Mathanguri on the border with Bhutan are the ones that see the highest tourist activity.
Apart from the Manas River, which passes through the western part of the protected territory, there are five other rivers, which make their way through the low-lying alluvial grasslands. The northern section of the national park majorly consists of almost treeless savannah pastures and bedrocks of limestone and sandstone, whereas the southern counterpart comprises tropical grasslands with underlying deposits of alluvium.
Weather
Hot and humid are the two words that best describe the sub-tropical climate of the park, with a relative humidity of up to 76 per cent. The minimum winter temperature is nearly 5 degree Celsius, whereas the maximum summer temperature is about 37 degree Celsius. Usually, rain occurs from mid-March to October, and the region witnesses heavy rainfall between the months of May and September with an annual average of 333 cm. During the relatively dry period, which lasts from November to February, small rivers become waterless while the larger ones turn shallow.
How to reach
Manas National Park is easily accessible by a drive of about 5 hours from the Guwahati International Airport, which is approximately 150 km away. At regular intervals, numerous flights operate from major cities of India, including Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Jaipur, Hyderabad and Goa to the airfield. Likewise, Guwahati Railway Station is connected to major cities and towns in India. Besides, the closest railway station is Barpeta Road, which is about an hour’s drive from the park.
National Highway 31 conveniently connects Guwahati to Barpeta Road, from where a distance of merely 22 km has to be covered to reach Bansbari, the entry point of the national park.
Getting Around
Since the park consists of a dense rainforest and accommodates ferocious wildlife, travellers are only allowed to roam around the park during the daytime. Elephant rides and jeep safaris are two convenient ways to explore the region. Jungle walks along the borders are also possible, but under the supervision of an expert.
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