![Manas National Park](../gifs/manas_wildlife.gif)
The
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the foothills of the Eastern
Himalayas in Assam, India. This wildlife park is spread over an
area of 2,837 square kilometers and is covered with grasslands and
dense Sal forests. This wildlife sanctuary got its name from the
River Manas that flows nearby. The main sanctuary lies in the Kokrajhar
and Barpeta districts of Assam, India and the buffer zone spreads
to the reserve forest areas of Kachugaon, North Kamrup and Haltugaon,
Assam, India. This wildlife sanctuary is located at a distance of
176 kilometers from Guwahati, the Capital city of Assam, India.
The Manas National Park is the only project Tiger
Reserve in Assam, India. During your wildlife tours to the Manas
National Park in Assam, India you are likely to spot wild animals
like the golden langur, rhinos, elephants, clouded leopard,
pangolin, golden cat, pygmy hog, fishing cat and quite a few species
of deer. The Manas Wildlife National Park is home to more than 450
species of birds. Some of the rare species that can be seen at this
wildlife sanctuary during your wildlife tours are the Bengal
florican and the great pied hornbill. Quite a few migratory birds
visit the Manas National Park during the winter months. Some of
these birds are Forktails, Riverchats, Ruddy Shelduck, Cormorants
and Ducks. You can spot different species of water birds and
woodland birds during your wildlife tours to the Manas National Park
in Assam, India.
The park was closed to visitors for
quite a few years for security reasons but now this wildlife park is
open to tourists and wildlife enthusiasts. In case you are
interested in visiting this wildlife sanctuary you need to contact
Assam Tourism Development Corporation office for a permit and a
police escort to this lovely wildlife park.
The
FaunaThe animal population of Manas is very excitingly
diverse and excitement is the key world while exploring the park.
Some of the more fierce or potentially aggressive creatures it
harbours within it's confines are Tigers, Elephants, Rhinos, Wild
Buffaloes, Leopards, Clouded Leopards and the amazingly beautiful
and rare Black Panthers. The park is also a haven for highly
endangered species of which it houses 20. Two of the unique
residents of the park are the Hispid Hare and the Pygmy Hog.
The
FloraThe vegetation that covers most of the park is of
the mixed deciduous variety. This mixed forest is intermixed by
small glades of grass where deer can be seen grazing in huge
numbers. Altogether, Manas National Park Assam offers some of the
most eye-pleasing natural surroundings in the country.
How
to Reach
- Air
Manas Park is 176-kms from Guwahati. The
nearest airport is Borjhar, which is situated, 5-km out of town,
and can be reached by rickshaw, auto rickshaw or airline buses.
- Rail
The nearest railhead is situated at Barpeta
road.
- Road
Buses regularly ply from Guwahati to Barpeta
Road in 4½ hrs.