India > Assam > Manas National Park

Manas National Park

Manas National Park is lying on the Himalayan foothills in western Assam, was originally a Game Sanctuary since 1928 with an area of 360 sq. km. and indorse to Manas Wildlife Sanctuary in 1950. It was created a Bio-reserve in 1973 and became a Tiger Reserve in 1974. In 1992, Kahitama Reserve Forest, Kokilabari Reserve Forest and Panibari Reserve Forest, added with the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary and formed Manas National Park. It is also known as the Elephant Reserve. Manas National Park has been declared as a Natural World Heritage Site in 1985 by UNESCO. The park is contiguous with the Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal and the Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan. In 2003, it was declared as a part of Chirang-Ripe Elephant Reserve which serves as the international corridor for elephant migration between India and Bhutan.

The name of the park originated from the river Manas, a tributary of river Brahmaputra, which is passes through the Park and divided into two part as the Beki and Bholkaduba and main water resource in the Manas National Park. It has another five small rivers flow in the Park.

Manas National Park
Address Barpeta-Manas Road
Barpeta, Guwahati
Assam - 781315
Entry Fee For Indian : indian rupee 20/-
For Foreigners : indian rupee 250/-
Jeep Safari INR indian rupee 300/- per head
Boat ride INR indian rupee 8,000/- for eight persons
Best season November to April
Visiting Hours 5:30 AM to 6:30 PM
Phone No (O) (+91) 3666-261413
Website (O) assamtourism.gov.in
Still Camera Fee For Indian : indian rupee 50/-
For Foreigners : indian rupee 500/-
Video Camera Fee For Indian : indian rupee 100/-
For Foreigners : indian rupee 500/-

Manas has extensive grasslands and is famous for its unique scenic beauty and most spectacular primeval wildlife habitat. The park spread over an area of 950 sq kms and represents the core of an extensive tiger reserve that projects is an important migratory wildlife resource along with the Indo-Bhutan borders. Its swamplands has an international importance. It is also the single most important site for the survival of rare and endangered Hispid Hare, Golden Langur, Assam Roofed Turtle and also critically endangered Pygmy Hog. Manas is also famous for its population of the Wild water buffalo.

Climate

Semi-tropical type weather has been experienced in Manas National Park. Where temperature may vary in between minimum 15 degree C and maximum 37 degree C. The monsoon lasting in the Parks between May to September with a heavy rainfall and annual average rainfall is around 333 cm. The winter season starts in the month of December and lasts till the end of February. It might be difficult to visit the Park during the monsoon session.

Flora

The Manas National Parks is an monsoon forests, lies in the Brahmaputra Valley semi evergreen forests ecoregion. Different types of natural vegetation is the main characteristics of the Manas National Park, which are mostly divided into four types - Sub-Himalayan light alluvial semi-evergreen forests, mixed moist and dry deciduous forests, semi-evergreen alluvial grasslands, which cover the 50 percent of the Manas National Park, and low alluvial Savanna woodland. A total of 543 species of vegetation have been found in the Park, including 374 species are dicotyledons (including 89 trees), 139 species monocotyledons and 30 are Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms. Common trees found in Manas National Park are Pithraj tree (Aphanamixis polystachya), kadam (Anthocephalus chinensis), jamun(Syzygium cumini), butterfly tree (Bauhinia purpurea), Indian bay leaf, also known as tejpat(Cinnamomum tamala), cotton tree (Bombax ceiba), Elephant rope tree(Sterculia villosa), elephant apple or chulta/chalta (Dillenia indica), haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Gamhar(Gmelina arborea) and many more.

Fauna

Including a large numbers of rare and endangered wildlife, Manas National Park has recorded 55 species of mammals, more than 450 species of birds, 50 species of reptiles and three species of amphibians. Some of the most common fauna of the National Park include Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus ), Indian one-horned Rhinoceros(Rhinoceros unicornis), Gaurs(Bos gaurus), Asiatic Wild Buffalo, etc. Some well-known rare and endangered wildlife in the Manas National Park, which may not found anywhere else in the world like the Assam Roofed Turtle(Pangshura sylhetensis), Hispid Hare (Caprolagus hispidus), Golden Langur (Trachypithecus geei) and pygmy hog (Porcula salvania).

How to reach?

By Road: Manas is accessible from Guwahati (176 km), Kajiranga (403 km), Shilong (287 km)and Siliguri (386 km).

By Rail: Barpeta Road is the closest railhead to Guwahati. From here, one can continue on to Manas by road. Barpeta Road also serves as the sanctuary headquarters.

By Air: Guwahati airport is 176 km away. Regular flights like Jet Airways, Indian Airlines, Indigo are available here.

Accomodation

All accommodation provided by the forest department is basic and the amenities spare. The accent is on the location itself, which is pure heaven. Manas Forest lodge Cottages and rooms are on offer, tariff: Rs 60 per room, Rs 50 per cottage. Besides these several camping sites are available always.