Wildlife in Assam : Manas Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve - 19

Formerly known as North Kamrup, Manas, in Assam, was declared a sanctuary in 1928. In 1985 it was accorded the status of World Heritage Site. The park straddles two rivers, the Manas and its tributary the Hakua, along the Assam-Bhutan border. The protected area extends into the Bhutan foothills.

Manas hosues 19 of India's most endangered animal populations, home to the rare golden langur and a sizeable tiger population. Its wetlands are essential for the survival of the fast-vanishing hispid hare and pygmy hog. The fauna to be found here includes the rhino, wild buffalos, elephants, gaur, swamp deer, capped langur and cluded leopard. The park, the eastern range of the chital and habitat of the sambar deer, also boasts a rich and diverse avian population. The main highlight is the giant hornbill, two sub-species of which, the pied and grey varieties are to be found here.

When to visit: The best time to visit is November in March

Where to stay:

Tourist Lodge and forest bungalows at Mothanguri are the means of accommodation available.

How to get there:

By Air: Guwahati is the nearest airport at 176 kms.

By Rail: The nearest town and rail head is Barpeta Road, 41 kms. away.

Within the Park, riding elephants and boats on the rivers are available for transport.

Contact: Field Director, Project Tiger, PO Barpeta Road, District Barpeta, Assam, 781315.

Related Links :

01. Nature and WildLife of India : WildLife Protection Act 1972 - 1
02. Wildlife in Jammu and Kashmir - 2
03. Corbett National Park (Project Tiger) : Wildlife in Uttaranchal - 3
04. Rajaji National Park - 4
05. Wildlife in Uttar Pradesh : Dudhwa National Park - 5
06. Wildlife in Rajasthan : Bharatpur National Park - 6
07. Wildlife in Rajasthan : Ranthambore National Park (Project Tiger) - 7
08. Wildlife in Rajasthan : Sariska Tiger Reserve - 8
09. Wildlife in Gujarat : Gir National Park and Sanctuary - 9
10. Wild Ass Sanctuary - 10
11. Wildlife in Madhya Pradesh : Bandhavgarh National Park - 11
12. Wildlife in Madhya Pradesh : Kanha National Park - 12
13. Wildlife in Bihar : Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary - 13
14. Wildlife in Jharkhand : Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary - 14
15. Wildlife in Jharkhand : Palmau Tiger Reserve - 15
16. Wildlife in Jharkhand : Topchanchi Wildlife Sanctuary - 16
17. Wildlife in West Bengal : Sunderbans National Park and Tiger Reserve - 17
18. Wildlife in West Bengal : Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary - 18