The second largest national park in Assam is Manas National Park. It covers an area of about 500 square kilometers as a core national park area but is part of a larger conservation landscape that includes the Manas Tiger Reserve and Manas Biosphere Reserve totaling around 2,837 square kilometers. Manas is located in the western part of Assam at the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, bordering the Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan. It is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Project Tiger Reserve, an Elephant Reserve, and a Biosphere Reserve known for its rich biodiversity, scenic landscapes, and conservation importance.
Overview and Location
Manas National Park lies in the Himalayan foothill region in western Assam, spanning primarily across the districts of Baksa, Chirang, Kokrajhar, Udalguri, and parts of Darrang. The park is named after the Manas River, which flows through its terrain as a major tributary of the Brahmaputra River. Its geography is characterized by dense forests interspersed with grasslands, savannah woodlands, and semi-evergreen forests, creating a diverse array of habitats for wildlife.
The park is situated approximately 176 kilometers from Guwahati, the largest city in Assam, making it accessible by road within a 4-hour drive. The nearest railway station to Manas is Barpeta Road (about 40 km away), and the closest airport is Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati.
Historical Significance
The area now comprising Manas National Park was once a hunting reserve for the royal families of Cooch Behar and the Raja of Gauripur before British India took control after the Duar War in 1865. Originally declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1928, known as the North Kamrup Wildlife Sanctuary, Manas was promoted as a tiger reserve under Project Tiger in 1973. It gained national park status in 1990 with a core area of 500 square kilometers. Over the years, the park has expanded to include surrounding reserve forests and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 and a Biosphere Reserve in 1989.
Manas faced significant challenges during the late 20th century due to poaching and militant activity, leading UNESCO to list it as a World Heritage site in danger in 1992. However, extensive conservation and security measures helped restore the park’s ecological health, leading to its removal from the danger list in 2011.
Biodiversity and Wildlife
Manas National Park is internationally acclaimed for its exceptional biodiversity and is home to many rare and endangered species. It harbors more than 22 species listed under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, India’s highest protection category.
The park provides habitat for the famous wild water buffalo, pygmy hog (the world’s rarest and smallest wild pig), golden langur (an endangered primate endemic to this region), Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, and several other endemic and threatened animals. It also supports a large population of the Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian elephants, Indian rhinoceros (reintroduced in 2007), clouded leopard, Himalayan black bear, and various deer species like sambar, swamp deer, and hog deer.
Apart from mammals, Manas is recognized as an Important Bird Area hosting over 500 bird species including the endangered Bengal florican and great hornbill. The park’s diverse ecosystems, ranging from grasslands to dense forests, support a wide array of flora and fauna making it one of the richest wildlife parks in India.
Conservation and Ecological Importance
Manas plays a critical role in regional conservation. It is part of the larger Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve, acting as a vital corridor that allows elephant movement between India and Bhutan. The park’s location at the junction of the Indo-Gangetic, Indo-Malayan, and Indo-Bhutan biogeographic realms adds to its global ecological importance.
Efforts to conserve Manas have focused on anti-poaching, habitat restoration, and community involvement to ensure both wildlife protection and sustainable livelihoods for local populations. The park also supports ecotourism like elephant safaris, bird-watching, river rafting, and cultural village tours, which help raise awareness and funding for conservation.
Manas in Comparison
To put Manas’s size and status in perspective, it is the second largest national park in Assam after Kaziranga National Park, which occupies about 1,090 square kilometers and is famous for its extensive population of Indian one-horned rhinoceros. While Kaziranga focuses more on grassland ecosystem and rhino conservation, Manas is unique for its Himalayan foothill landscape, diverse habitats, and transboundary conservation with Bhutan’s Royal Manas National Park.
Tourism and Accessibility
Manas National Park offers a stunning natural experience with its spectacular riverine landscapes, dense forests, and rugged Himalayan foothills backdrop. The main entry point for tourists is from Barpeta Road, and the park has forest lodges in Mathanguri for accommodation. Visitors require permission from the park authorities to enter, which helps regulate tourism and minimize environmental impact.
The best time to visit Manas is between November and April when the weather is pleasant and wildlife sightings are at their peak. Conservation awareness and responsible tourism practices are promoted to preserve this jewel of Assam’s natural heritage.
Conclusion
Manas National Park, the second largest national park in Assam, stands as a beacon of conservation success despite its turbulent history. Its unique Himalayan foothills ecosystem, diverse wildlife including endangered species, and international recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site make it a cornerstone of Assam’s natural heritage. Its vital conservation role in the region, combined with beautiful landscapes and rich biodiversity, continues to attract wildlife enthusiasts, researchers, and tourists from across the globe, making it an irreplaceable asset for biodiversity and eco-tourism in Northeast India.
