India’s Hidden Gem: Manas National Park

Parimita Mahanta

Manas National Park is a beautiful wildlife reserve in Assam, India, that also extends into Bhutan.Covering over 950 square kilometers, it’s famous for its lush forests, wide grasslands, and beautiful rivers.

Established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1928 and made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990, the park’s main goal is to protect endangered animals like the one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, and golden langur. It’s also a great place to see rare birds and other wildlife, making it a fantastic destination for anyone who loves nature and wildlife.

Manas National Park faced serious threats for many years, which caused it to be listed as a World Heritage Site in Danger from 1992 to 2011. During this time, Bodo tribe militants caused major problems as they sought political changes. From 1988 to 1993, their actions destroyed the park’s roads and buildings.

Also, between 1990 and 1996, political instability led to the loss of almost all of the park’s rhinoceroses and about half of its tigers, as well as the destruction of hundreds of trees. The total damage during these years was estimated to be over $2 million.

To address these problems, the World Heritage Committee’s listing led the Indian government and the state of Assam to work together on a $2.35 million plan in 1997 to help Manas National Park recover. This plan was designed to improve security and build better relationships with local communities to support the park’s recovery.

By 2003, the insurgents had surrendered, and the new Bodoland Territorial Council began working with the park to help it heal. Since then, Manas National Park has been focusing
on rebuilding its facilities and bringing back its wildlife.

Manas National Park has a long history of efforts to protect its wildlife and natural beauty. In 1907, a part of the area that was once used for royal hunting was set aside as the North Kamrup Forest Reserve. More land was added to this reserve in 1927. In 1928, the area was officially declared a Sanctuary for rhinoceroses, covering 36,000 hectares to protect these animals. By 1955, the Reserve was expanded to 39,100 hectares.

In 1971, to help prevent local encroachment, the government set up an 890-hectare seed farm within the Sanctuary. In 1973, the Manas Reserve became the core area of the Manas Tiger Reserve, part of the Project Tiger initiative to save the Indian tiger. In 1988, the Royal Manas National Park was established in Bhutan, right next to Manas. The following year, Manas was designated a core zone of the newly formed Manas Biosphere Reserve, which covered 283,700 hectares.

In 1990, the Sanctuary was upgraded to a National Park and expanded to 52,000 hectares by including nearby forest reserves. From 1992 onwards, Manas was listed as an endangered site due to severe habitat destruction and wildlife losses caused by Bodo insurgents protesting against migration and loss of forest resources.

In 2001, the Park became part of the Buxa-Manas Elephant Reserve, and in 2003, the Bodoland Territorial Council was created, which helped improve the park’s management and included it in the Chirang Ripu Elephant Reserve. Finally, in 2011, Manas National Park was removed from the endangered list as recovery efforts began to show results.

Manas National Park is a beautiful and diverse place in India, with lush grasslands, dense forests, calm rivers, and wide floodplains. This varied landscape is home to a rich variety of plants and animals, making it one of the most biodiverse parks in the country.

The park features subtropical forests, grassy fields with tall Elephant Grass, and wetlands that are home to many types of orchids and giant trees like Hollong and Kachari. Manas is well-known for its wildlife, including the rare Bengal Tiger, the endangered One-Horned Rhinoceros, and herds of Asian Elephants.

It’s also a habitat for the critically endangered Golden Langur and the Hoolock Gibbons, which are the only apes found in India. Along with these famous animals, Manas is also home to many smaller mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, such as the rare pygmy hog and the Hispid Hare, making it a vital place for wildlife conservation.

Manas National Park is named after the Goddess Manasa, and its forests have been traditionally used by the Bodo and Adhivasi tribes for many years. These tribes lived in the area and relied on its resources, while the forests were also used as royal hunting grounds for two local royal families. Although there are no archaeological remains from these times, the cultural connections to the land run deep. Today, around 57 villages with about 28,800 people live near the park, mainly Bodo tribal members.

Historically, their traditional lands were taken over for logging and farming, which led to a lot of conflicts. Feeling left out and angry, some locals turned to insurgency, which caused severe damage to the park from 1988 to 2003.
However, in 2003, the Bodo insurgents surrendered, and the Bodoland Territorial Council was established, allowing the Bodo people to manage the park and work towards its recovery. Since then, the local communities have been actively involved in rebuilding and funding the park’s conservation efforts, especially when state support was lacking. For those who love adventure, Manas National Park has a lot to offer, including wildlife safaris, river rafting, and bird watching.

You can take jeep safaris to explore the park’s diverse landscapes and maybe see tigers, rhinoceroses, and many different birds. Elephant-back safaris are a special way to view the wildlife from up high. If you’re looking for excitement, you can try white-water rafting on the Manas River for an adrenaline rush and stunning views. Bird watchers will enjoy spotting over 450 bird species, including the rare Bengal Florican and the beautiful Great Hornbill.

However, Manas faces serious problems like poaching, habitat destruction, and conflicts between animals and people. Fortunately, the Assam Forest Department and other groups are working hard to solve these issues with anti-poaching efforts, habitat restoration, and community outreach programs to help protect the park and its wildlife for the future.

Manas National Park is a special and beautiful place in India. It has amazing landscapes, incredible wildlife, and a rich history that makes it a great place to visit. The park’s story shows how people have worked hard to overcome problems and help nature. Thanks to the efforts of the park’s staff and local communities,

Manas is now a place of hope and success. When you visit Manas, you get to see one of India’s most beautiful natural spots and help in taking care of it for the future. Let’s keep the spirit of Manas alive by supporting conservation efforts, so everyone can enjoy this wonderful park for many years to come.

Parimita Mahanta is a student of Communication and Journalism, Gauhati University

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