The Manas wildlife sanctuary comes under the project tiger. The wildlife sanctuary lays in the Bhutan Himalayas in the beautiful state of Assam. The sanctuary is home to a large number of animals. Some of the endangered species of animals are also found here. The river Manas flows through the sanctuary. The river divides into three tributaries and connects to the river Brahmaputra which is 64 km ahead. Earlier the sanctuary was known as the North Kamrup but later its name changed to Manas wildlife sanctuary in the year 1985. The sanctuary has beendeclared as a” world heritage in danger” site. The sanctuary is famous for its golden langur,rhinoceros, tigers and elephants.

History

The sanctuary is spread out over an area of 360km. it was declared a sanctuary in the year 1973. Earlier the sanctuary was a reserve forest. The forest was used as a hunting reserve by the Cooch Behar royal family and by the Raja of Gauripur as well. The area of the sanctuary was increased to 391 km in the year 1955. It was also declared as a world heritage site in the year 1985 by UNESCO. In 1992 the UNESCO declared it as a danger site because of all the terrorist and poaching activities that were taking place in the forests. Yet again in the year 2008 the area of the sanctuary was increased to 950 km. in the ear 2011 it was removed for the world heritage site.

Weather and Best Time to Visit

The temperature is around 15 degrees and goes up to a maximum of 37 degrees. The sanctuary receives a heavy amount of rainfall. The maximum rainfall it gets is during the months of May and September. The rainfall that the park receives is about 333 cm. the climate here is very hot and humid. The maximum temperature in the summer months is 37 degrees. In the winter months the temperature goes as below as 11 degrees. The park receives very heavy rainfall. It is very difficult to see animals during the monsoon. Hence the best time to visit the sanctuary is during the months of October to April. The sanctuary is closed during the months of July to September.

How to reach

By Air : the Guwahati airport is 176 km away from the sanctuary. The closest airport is at Borjhar it is 5km away from the town. It is accessible by all modes of transport.

By Rail : Barpeta is the closest railway station from the national sanctuary.

By Road: every 4 and a half hour a bus leaves for the sanctuary from Guwahati.

Location Map

Flora

The Manas wildlife sanctuary is home to the Burma Monsoon Forests. It lies on the border of the Indo – Gangetic and the Indo Malayam realm. It is part of the Brahmaputra Valley. The  combination of the Teraia with the riverine makes it one of the richest areas of biodiversity in the entire world. The different types of vegetation that are found here are as follows:

Sub-Himalayan Light Alluvial Semi-Evergreen forests in the northern parts.

East Himalayan mixed Moist and Dry Deciduous forests (the most common type).

Low Alluvial Savanna Woodland, and Assam Valley Semi-Evergreen Alluvial Grasslands which cover almost 50% of the Park.

The park has about 543 different plant species in it. Out of these around 374 are di cotyledons while 139 are monocotyledons, 139 are Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms. The common trees and shrubs that are found here are as follows: Arundo donax, Dillenia pentagyna, Phyllanthus emblica, Bombax ceiba, and species of Clerodendrum, Leea, Grewia, Premna and Mussaenda Careya arborea, L.speciosa, Lagerstroemia parviflora, Terminalia bellirica, Trewia polycarpa, Gmelina arborea, T. chebula, Oroxylum indicum and Bridelia spp. The Grasslands are dominated by Imperata cylindrica, Phragmites karka, Saccharum naranga, polystachya, Anthocephalus chinensis, S. formosum, Syzygium cumini, S. oblatum, Bauhinia purpurea, Cinnamomum tamala, Mallotus philippensis,  Actinodaphne obvata, Sterculia villosa, Dillenia indica, Bombax ceiba, D. pentagyna

Fauna

The Manas wildlife Sanctuary is famous for Capped Langurs. The sanctuary has 55 species of mammals, 380 different types of birds, 50 reptiles and few species of amphibians as well.  Amongst these 21 mammals come under the schedule I while the rest of the 31 come under the threatened list of species. The different animals that are found here in the sanctuary are as follows.

Asian Elephants, Gaurs, Asian Water Buffaloes, Indian Rhinoceros, Barasingha, Leopards, Clouded Leopards, Indian Tigers, Asian golden cat, Golden Langurs, Assamese Macaques, Capped Langurs, Slow Loris, Smooth-coated Otters, Hoolock Gibbons, Sloth Bears, Hog Deer, Black Panther, Barking Deer, Sambar Deer and Chital.

The wildlife sanctuary houses 450 species of birds. The highest population of the Bengal Florican is found in these forests of the sanctuary. Other birds that are found here are  the Hornbills, Bulbuls, Brahminy Ducks, Jungle Fowls, Kalij Pheasants, Pelicans, Egrets, Fishing Eagles, Falcons, Scarlet Minivets, Serpent Eagles, Bee-Eaters, Pied Hornbills, Magpie Robins, Grey Hornbills, Harriers, Mergansers, Ospreys and Herons.

Safaris : The best way to see the Manas wildlife sanctuary is on an elephant safari. It is the best way to see the rhinoceros in their natural habitat. One is very close to them. The safari starts at Mothanguri. One can even take a boat ride on the Manas river to admire the flora and fauna of the sanctuary.

Where to Stay

There are many government accommodations to stay at the sanctuary. Some of them are mentioned below.

Mathanguri Forest Bungalow : is a very well maintained guesthouse. It lies on the banks of the Manas river,

Manas National Park, Barpeta Road - 781315, Assam, India. Telephone: +91-03666 -261413.

The Bansbari Lodge: is another very comfortable place to stay at. It has clean and good accommodation. The guest house is situated at the south end of the park. The guest house has all the basic amenities that are required. Your stay here would be very comfortable and pleasant.

The Bansbari Lodge (Government-operated) Telephone: +91 361 2602223/2602186, +91 99542 05360 & E-mail: assambengal@rediffmail.com.

Manas jungle camp : this is a theme resort, where the interiors are very ethnic. Bamboo and hay are used to decorate the rooms. Rubber plantations are found all over the resort.

Manas Jungle Camp

Contact:  Help Tourism Tel: (0091)-033-24550917

Email: kalighat@vsnl.net

General Information

Make sure that you plan your trip to the park in advance as one need to take permission from the Assam Tourism Development Corporation Office whether it is a safe time to visit the park or not. A police escort is needed while visiting the sanctuary.

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