HEADLINES:  

INTRODUCTION

Manas National Park which is a continuation with the Royal Manas National park in Bhutan is situated in the state of Assam at a distance of about 176 kilometers from Guwahati. The Manas National Park sprawls over an area of about 540sq km of diverse topography and rich flora and fauna. The park gets its name from the serpent goddess Manasa which is a major tributary of Brahmaputra River and it passes through the heart of the national park.

This is of major attraction to tourists in Assam and apart from being a Wildlife Sanctuary it has the status of UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, a Project Tiger Reserve, an Elephant Reserve and a Biosphere Reserve. Thus the Manas National Park situated in the foothills of the Himalayas apart from having an excellent topography is also noted for its rare and endangered endemic wildlife such as the Assam Roofed Turtle, Hispid Hare, Golden Langur and Pygmy Hog.

HISTORY

The Manas National Park was originally the hunting grounds for the Cooch Behar royal family and Raja of Gauripur and till 1928 it was called as Manas Reserved Forest and North Kamrup Reserved Forest. Initially it covered only an area of about 360 sq kms and was declared as a sanctuary only on October 1, 1928.

Slowly around 1951 t0 1955 the area of the park was increased to 391 sq km.and Kahitama R.F. the Kokilabari R.F. and the Panbari R.F. were added in the year 1990 to form the Manas National Park. Recently in 1992 UNESCO declared it as a world heritage site and now according to reports it was increased to 950sq kms in the year 2008.

ORIENTATION

The Manas National Park is located in between Kaziranga and Jaldapada and is divided into three ranges where the western range is based at Panbari, the central at Bansbari near Barpeta Road, and the eastern at Bhuiyapara near Pathsala.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The ideal time to visit the Manas national park is during the months of November to April.

PLACES OF INTERESTS

Flora

The Manas National Park being a part of the Brahmaputra Valley is one of the richest biodiversity areas in the world. The wetland is rich in moist and deciduous forest with different grass community to semi evergreens which also includes Sal forests.

Some of the common floral species of the Manas National Park includes Aphanamixis polystachya, Anthocephalus chinensis, Syzygium cumini, S. formosum, S. oblatum, Bauhinia purpurea, Mallotus philippensis, Cinnamomum tamala, Actinodaphne obvata, Bombax ceiba, Sterculia villosa, Dillenia indica, D. pentagyna, Careya arborea, Lagerstroemia parviflora, L.speciosa, Terminalia bellirica, T. chebula, Trewia polycarpa, Gmelina arborea, Oroxylum indicum and Bridelia spp. The Grasslands are dominated by Imperata cylindrica, Saccharum naranga, Phragmites karka, Arundo donax, Dillenia pentagyna, Phyllanthus emblica, Bombax ceiba, and species of Clerodendrum, Leea, Grewia, Premna, simul,khoir,udal,sida,bohera,kanchan and Mussaenda.

Fauna

The Manas National park is home to some highly endangered animal species with atleast more than 55 species of mammals.Some of the rare varieties of animals in this area are Assam Roofed Turtle, Hispid Hare, Golden Langur and Pygmy Hog. Apart from this the other common animals of this area are Asian Elephants, Indian Rhinoceros, Gaurs, Asian Water Buffaloes, Barasingha, Tigers, Leopards, Clouded Leopards, Asian golden cat, Capped Langurs, Golden Langurs, Assamese Macaques, Slow Loris, Hoolock Gibbons, Smooth-coated Otters, Sloth Bears, Barking Deer, Hog Deer, Sambar Deer and Chital.

Avian

Among the avians Manas tops the list by having the largest population of the endangered Bengal Florican in the world.

The other birds seen in this area are more than 380 species which includes Giant Hornbills, Jungle Fowls, Bulbuls, Brahminy Ducks, Kalij Pheasants, Egrets, Pelicans, Fishing Eagles, Serpent Eagles, Falcons, Scarlet Minivets, Bee-Eaters, Magpie Robins, Pied Hornbills, Grey Hornbills, Mergansers, Harriers, Ospreys and Herons.

Elephant safaris

The Wildlife Safari especially on the elephant back is the most thrilling part of the tour into the Manas National Park. The experience of sitting high a top an elephant in a teak wood chair is quite cool and is one of the most famous ways to track the wildlife. These elephants can be hired from Mothanguri where the ride lasts for at least three hours.

Boat ride

Boats are also available for hire from the forest beat officer at Mothanguri. Each boat can accommodate 2-8 people and the ride lasts 4-8 hours.

Jeep safaris

Jeep safaris are undertaken during the early morning hours till evening. A forest department guide is always their with the visitors on these jeep trips taken inside the park. There is a fixed entry and exit time into the forest.

HOW TO REACH

By 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.

By Trains

The nearest railhead is situated at Barpeta road.

By Road

Buses regularly ply from Guwahati to Barpeta Road in 4½ hrs.