Manas National Park

A known sanctuary created on 1^st October, 1928, covers an entire area of 360sq km. It was also declared as “Manas Tiger Reserve” in 1973. Thanks to UNESCO, it was also declared as world heritage site in 1985 and simultaneously was also added in the list of “world heritage site in danger” in year 1990 due to extreme poaching and illegal terrorist activities. Today, amazingly it covers a total of 960 sq km.

Manasa: the serpent goddess as commonly known to Indian folks has a river named after her called as Manas. Fortunately this fresh water source runs through the mid of the sanctuary fiercely stroking the heart of the same. Manas River as known is a major branch of the Brahmaputra River and the sanctuary is named after its name.

Agrang is the one special village that has his heart established inside the core sanctuary leaving others on side even though all directly/indirectly depend on the park.

It is resting in the foothills of eastern Himalayas in the lap of Assam covering approximately 6 districts. Namely:

• Kokrajhar
• Bongaigaon
• Barpeta
• Nalbari
• Kamrup
• Darrang

The park is known especially for the surviving rare and endangered species like: Assam Roofed Turtle, Hispid Hare, Golden Langur and Pygmy Hog. It is also surrounded with different biomes like:

• Grassland biome
• Forest biome

It is a beautiful place during rains (333cm) as it gets its nature look during those days. The heat can hardly raise maximum upto 38˚C and cold can overpower minimum to 15˚C.

This park provides a magnificent eye catching experience at night. So forget not, to pack your binoculars. Simultaneously, a boat ride from Mathanguri can give you splendid view of the park ranging the ride widely of 35km can be add on to the journey. Also, the elephant ride in Mathanguri can be an awesome experience as it takes you to the dark and dense zones of the forest amidst the wildlife of elephants and rhinos. However, you would be really unlucky if you visit in monsoon season as the park will show you the sign of “Sorry! We are closed.”

Flora
It has very healthy and dramatic natural vegetation ranging from Sub-Himalayan Light Alluvial Semi-Evergreen forests in the northern parts to East Himalayan mixed Moist and Dry Deciduous forests to low Alluvial Savanna Woodland to Assam Valley Semi-Evergreen Alluvial Grasslands which cover almost 50% of the scenario.

However there is much vegetation that lies inside these distributions. The name can range within various varieties, like: Aphanamixis polystachya, Anthocephalus chinensis, Syzygium cumini, S. formosum, S. oblatum, Bauhinia purpurea, Mallotus philippensis, Cinnamomum tamala, Actinodaphne obvata, Bombax ceiba etc.

The grasslands include a stable variety, like: Imperata cylindrica, Saccharum naranga, Phragmites karka, Arundo donax, Dillenia pentagyna, Phyllanthus emblica, Bombax ceiba, and species of Clerodendrum, Leea, Grewia, Premna and Mussaenda.

Fauna
The lovely sight is the record less 55 species of wildlife that exist inside the zone of this park ranging from rare to endangered. All are pretty safe and commanding on their own. Various species of reptiles (50) and amphibians (3) to be specific also exist in the same platform of the park, residing prosperously.

The common still vibrant wildlife includes Asian Elephants, Indian Rhinoceros, Gaurs, Asian water Buffaloes, Barasingha, Tigers, Leopards, Clouded Leopards, Asian golden cat, Capped Langurs, Golden Langurs, Assamese Macaques, Slow Loris, Hoolock Gibbons, Smooth-coated Otters, Sloth Bears, Barking Deer, Hog Deer, Sambar Deer and Chital.

However, the endangered or rare species that evolve and can be easily spotted includes Assam Roofed Turtle, Hispid Hare, Golden Langur and Pygmy Hog.

Birds

Manas national park, as the name goes supports the flying species with a homely welcome and houses 380 species all in one. The flying species include: Gaint Hornbills, Jungle Fowls, Bulbuls, Brahminy Ducks, kalij pheasants, Egrets, Pelicans, Fishing Eagles, Serpent Eagles, Falcons, Scarlet Minivets, Bee-Eaters, Magpie Robins, Pied Hornbills, Grey Hornbills, Mergansers, Harriers, Ospreys and Herons.

It also preserves the most endangered species: the Bengal Florican. It houses the largest flock of these birds.

Want to see this evolved nature? Try the routes:

By Air: nearest airport is in Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Borjhar and Guwahati. From there you need to catch a bus to the park. However, Borjhar is 5 km away from the city and can be exclaimed as nearest.

By Rail: Station at Barpeta Road can be called as nearest from there you have to board a bus certainly to reach the spot.

By Road: Buses and private taxis along with cabs are easily available from any point to Barpeta road to reach the park, as this town (barpeta road) lies near the entrance and boundary of the park.

Nearest city: the nearest city available is the major city of Assam: Guwahati which is approximately 176km away from the park origin which is well linked with the town named Barpeta road.

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