The
Manas Tiger Reserve, located in the foothills of the
Bhutan hills, far from human habitation, is a world
in itself. The Manas River flowing through the Park
demarcates the border between India and Bhutan. The
Park has vast deciduous forests where the dense cover
often cuts out the light. Its wet grasslands are the
home of the rhino, water buffalo, elephant and tiger.
Manas is noted for its population of the rare golden
langur - found only in this part of the country. They
are often spotted in the tall trees. |
Wildlife
Attractions
Manas
Tiger Reserve provides shelter to a variety of wildlife,
including 55 mammalian species, 36 reptilian species
and 3 amphibian species, thus making it the greatest
protected area in India in terms of numbers.The tiger
population at Manas Reserve is approximately 80 in number.
Apart from the ones named above, capped langurs, hoolock
gibbons, Assamese macaques, slow lorises, leopards,
panthers, golden cat, fishing cat, marbled cat, binturongs,
sloth bears, wild dogs, Ganges dolphins, hog deer, Indian
muntjacs, water buffaloes, gaurs (Indian bison), giant
squirrels, hispid hare, otters, Indian pangolins, and
some 2,000 elephants are also found here. The rare and
attractive red panda has been spotted occasionally in
the higher elevated portions of the forest. Over 450
species of birds have been recorded, including the Bengal
florican, great pied hornbill, wreathed hornbill and
few unique species of waterfowls. Reptiles include different
species of snakes and the monitor lizards. The Assam
roofed turtle was spotted at the Reserve as recently
as 1989. Manas forest is possibly as diverse as a natural
biosphere can be. Its vegetation ranges from tropical
semi-evergreen forests in the northern parts to tropical
moist and dry deciduous forests of the other regions.
There are extensive alluvial grasslands in the western
region of the park, which comprises a variety of different
grasses and shrubbery. There is also a considerable
variety of aquatic flora along the Manas River. One
can hire a jeep to go around the park. The Assam State
Tourist Department conducts tours, including boat trips
and elephant rides. These trips are both convenient
and cost effective.
Other Attractions
Barpeta Barpeta has
various attractions including the famous Vaishnava monastery.
Acharya Madhabdev's statue is installed within the monastery
and its Kirtan Hall is a notable touring spot.
History Manas
is located along the Indo-Bhutan border with contiguous
wildlife habitats in Bhutan. Manas Sanctuary was established
in 1928. Prior to that the Raja of Gauripur and the
Cooch-Behar royal family used Manas as their hunting
grounds. The area was declared a National Park in 1990.
Climate The
Manas park has a typical tropical climate with hot Summers
and cold winters. Take cotton cloths for summers and
do not forget to pack woolens during winters. The average
rainfall that the park gets is 160 cms, but the monsoon
months bring heavy downpours, which often flood the
park. |
