Manas National Park

Recently, the Chief Minister of Assam announced that Manas National Park has recorded zero rhino and tiger poaching cases for three consecutive years, highlighting the success of conservation efforts and wildlife protection measures in the park.

About Manas National Park

Location

• Manas National Park is located in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas in the state of Assam.

• It shares its northern boundary with Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan, making it an important transboundary conservation landscape between India and Bhutan.

• The park derives its name from the Manas River, a major tributary of the Brahmaputra River, which flows through the western part of the park and serves as its principal river. The elevation of the park ranges from 60 metres to 1,500 metres above sea level, creating a wide variety of habitats and supporting exceptional biodiversity.

International and National Recognition

• Manas National Park enjoys the rare distinction of holding multiple national and international conservation statuses. It is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Tiger Reserve, an Elephant Reserve, a Biosphere Reserve, and an Important Bird Area (IBA).

• It was also among the first nine Tiger Reserves established under Project Tiger in 1973, making it one of India's oldest protected tiger habitats.

• The park forms part of the larger Buxa–Nameri–Pakke–Namdapha Tiger Conservation Landscape, which extends across India, Bhutan, and Myanmar, providing an important corridor for the movement and conservation of tigers and other wildlife.

Indigenous Communities

Several indigenous communities live in and around the park, with the Bodo tribe being the most prominent. These communities have traditionally depended on forest resources and now play an important role in community-based conservation, eco-tourism, and wildlife protection.

Vegetation

The park supports diverse vegetation due to its varied climate and elevation. The forests mainly consist of semi-evergreen forests, mixed deciduous forests, extensive alluvial grasslands, and riparian vegetation along riverbanks.

This rich combination of forest and grassland ecosystems makes Manas one of the most biologically diverse protected areas in India.

Flora

The dominant tree species in the park is the Hollong (Dipterocarpus macrocarpus), which is also the State Tree of Assam. Other important plant species include Amari, Dewa Sam, Himolu, Garjan, and several species of bamboo, reeds, and grasses that support a wide range of wildlife.

Fauna

• Manas National Park is internationally renowned for its rich wildlife diversity and is home to several rare, endemic, and endangered species.

• Some of the most important mammals found in the park include the Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Elephant, Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros, Wild Water Buffalo (Asiatic Buffalo), Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Gaur, Sambar, Hog Deer, and Barking Deer.

• The park is especially famous for protecting highly endangered species such as the Pygmy Hog, the Hispid Hare, and the Golden Langur, all of which are globally significant for biodiversity conservation.

• The park also supports over 450 species of birds, making it one of India's finest birdwatching destinations.

Conservation Importance

Manas National Park is considered one of the most important conservation landscapes in South Asia because it protects grassland, forest, and river ecosystems within a single protected area. Its location along the India–Bhutan border enables free movement of wildlife, strengthens transboundary conservation, and improves the long-term survival of endangered species.

The recent achievement of three consecutive years without rhino or tiger poaching reflects the effectiveness of anti-poaching patrols, community participation, and improved wildlife management practices.