THE CALL OF
THE WILD
Manas Tiger Reserve, situated amidst
the gentle slopes at the foothills of the Himalayas in India. s
northeastern state of Assam, is the only tiger reserve of its kind
in the entire northeast. Apart from the rising population of tigers,
Manas is also the home of the rare golden langur, the hispid hare,
the pigmy hog, the one-horned rhinoceros and at least twenty other
species of animals and birds that are listed as highly endangered.
Manas derives its name from the Goddess Manasa. The forest stretches
beyond Indian territory to the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, with the
crystal waters of the Manas River demarcating the international
border. Some areas that adjoin the river path are often flooded, but
only for a brief period; the water level subsides as soon as the
rainfall stops because of the sloping. Mixed deciduous type of
vegetation is found in the park. The dense forest cover often
prevents the sunrays from the forest.
This beautiful park was previously known as North
Kamrup and was declared a sanctuary on October 1, 1928, with parts
of it having been notified as reserved forests as early as 1907 and
1927. It was established as the core of the Manas Tiger Reserve from
April 1973 and consecutively inscribed on the World Heritage List in
1985 and elevated to the position of a National Park status on
September 7, 1990.
CLIMATE
The climate of Manas Tiger Reserve is tropical.
The temperature during summer does not rise above 37°C and during
the winter it stays at around 11°C. Monsoon season (May. September)
brings heavy to very heavy rainfall to the tune of 160 cm, because
of which the park often gets flooded.
THE
ABODE OF THE UNTAMED
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.
REACHING THERE
Manas Tiger reserve is 176 km from Guwahati, from
where one can drive down to the park. The journey lasts
approximately five and a half hours. The nearest rail junction is at
Barpeta Road, 136 km from Guwahati. Guwahati in turn is a
well-connected rail junction as well as an airport. The regular bus
services to the park by the state transport as well as the private
operators is yet another option.
STAYING THERE
Two forest lodges maintained by the tourism
department provide comfortable accommodation near the park. The
first lodge is located at Barpeta Road and the second at Bansbari.
The state department also has two bungalows at Mathanguri inside the
forest. There is no provision for catering at these bungalows and
lodges, so needful provisions for food must be made. Cooks and chefs
are available for a small fee.
TRAVEL TIPS
Monsoon (May to September) should be avoided, as
the park gets flooded.
Cotton clothing is recommended for summers and
woolens for winters. Because of ethnic problems the opening and
closing of the park has become erratic since 1989. It is best to
conduct an enquiry before embarking on a journey.
PLACES NEARBY
The state capital Guwahati is barely 176 km from
Manas. It is a historical city formerly known as Pragjyotishpur.
Situated on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra, it is famous for
the temple of Goddess Kamakhya, the shrine of Shakti worship built
by the Koch king Naranarayan.
Orang and Pabitora are two wildlife sanctuaries
worth visiting. The one-horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) and
various species of deer abound here.
The town of Hajo (25 km west of Guwahati) is a
sacred place for Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists. The town also boasts
of the Hayagriba Madhava Temple, accessible via a long stone
stairway. Hajo and the adjacent Sarthebari village are renowned for
their bell metal work.
The nearby town Barpeta is notable for the
monastery and shrine dedicated to the Vaishnavite saint, Sankardeva.
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