Manas Wildlife Sanctuary

Manas, it was once remarked, is what the earth looked like before the arrival of man , a jewel encrusted on land reflecting nature's varied and brilliant hues. From its source in the fabled and remote reaches of the Bhutan Himalayas, the Manas river rumbles and swirls, tumultuously down a rugged mountain valley , past steep cliff-sides and over awesome gorges and fiery rapids, meeting the plains at the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, where mild zephyrs waft across the forests , and howling winds blow down from the gorges.

History

Manas was declared a Sanctuary way back in 1928, indicative of the awareness of the potential of the area even then, but the development was constrained by the lack of resources. With the advent of Project Tiger, the situation improved vastly and barriers were gradually surmounted. Introduction of sophisticated equipment including wireless sets, jet boats and fast moving vehicles enabled speedy communication and coupled with better trained anti-poaching staff led to the effective tackling of the highly organized, clandestine poaching activities. Grazing of the domestic cattle in the core area has been phased out from as early as 1964-65. Stringent and scientific measures are continually exercised over the core area of 391 sq. km. and all the buffer zones covering a total area of 2837 sq. km , that includes a unique international cooperative effort with the Royal Govt. of Bhutan, in which country a part of the composite habitats located.

Flora and Fauna

The Manas wildlife sanctuary, one of the largest of its kind in India came under the aegis of Project Tiger in 1973, a natural and immediate choice considering its wide spectrum of diversified and highly dynamic habitat types that already harboured the largest number of animal species in the country,( and interestingly 20 of the 41 endangered species listed in schedule 1 of the Indian Wildlife Act.), Endemic species such as Golden langur and Pygmy hog are found here and nowhere else. More than 320 species of birds including the Florican and three species of Hornbills have been recorded. Mammals include five species of primates, nine species of cats, four of civets, five deer, as well as the Indian rhino, water buffalo, gaur dhole, hispid hare, and innumerable other life forms that are yet undescribed by science and unique to this region.

Accommodation

Forest Lodge , Mothanguri
Forest Lodge, Bhutan

Best Season: October to April

For Further Details Contact:

Field Director, Project Tiger
Barpeta Road
Assam - 781315

Also See:

Kaziranga National Park