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Location : 176-km From
Guwahati, Assam
Total Coverage Area: 391-sq-kms
Also Known As: Mathanguri
Visiting Season: October To April
Assam's first Tiger project (the other one is Nameri
National Park), Manas is also famous for its Rhinos and
Elephants and extends over varied territory, taking in
hills and river valleys on the border with Bhutan. The
combination of scenic beauty and rare wealth of wilderness
proves to be one of the most enthralling experiences in
any wildlife enthusiast life.
The Manas park has eastern Himalayan moist mixed deciduous
forests covering. The dense forest cover often cuts out
even the sunlight. The eastern alluvial grassland also
covers a major portion of the Manas national park. These
grassland are grazing grounds for many herbivores. Manas
also shows variety by mixing low alluvial Saranah wood
land and Assam valley semi evergreen forests.
The reserve forest of 1928 Manas national park had been
declared as a tiger project in 1973. Of the present 18
Indian Tiger Projects present in India, Manas national
park is the ninth one. The total coverage area of this
sanctuary is 391-sq-km and the area of the tiger project
being 540-sq-km. This lovely reserve is formed from the
watershed of the Manas, Hakua and Beki rivers and borders
with Bhutan. The bungalows at Mothanguri, on the banks of
the Manas, offer breathtaking views of the jungle-clad
hills. Established trails enter nearby forests and follow
the riverbanks, which becomes quite a trekking expedition,
especially for a lover of the wilds. Still, try to arrange
a boat cruise.
The Wild Attractions:
The core area of Manas National Park is 360-km. Manas is a
very special biosphere, for it harbors twenty species of
birds and animals that are highly endangered and listed in
the IUCN red data book. Among the highly endangered
species are the attractive Red Pandas, which are
occasionally in the higher elevation. Initially the park
was a wildlife sanctuary but in 1990 it was declared a
national park.
Hispid Hare, Pigmy Hog and Golden Langur are some of the
rare species of animals to be found in the park apart from
Tigers, Elephants, Rhinoceros, Wild Buffalo, Wild Boar,
Sambhar, Swamp Deer, and Hog Deer, which are easily
spotted at this park. Come winter and Manas is full of
Migratory birds like the Riverchats, Forktails, Cormorants
and Ducks like the Ruddy Shell-Duck. There are regular
woodland birds like the Indian Hornbill and Pied Hornbill
also found over here.
Butterflies and reptiles are also found aplenty in Manas.
In the river water, you can enjoy boating and fishing as
well. Coloured pebbles of the Manas River are an added
attraction not to be missed.
Park Trips:
Arrangements are there in Manas to view animals from
elephant's back. From Mathanguri in the morning, elephants
go out with tourists for 3 hrs ride. Along with entry fee,
camera is also chargeable according to its standard.
Concession is provided to the students visiting the park.
Climate:
The Manas park has a typical tropical climate with hot
Summers and cold winters. Take cotton cloths for summers
and do not forget to pack woolens during winters. The
average rainfall that the park gets is 160 cms, but the
monsoon months bring heavy downpours, which often flood
the park.
Visiting Season:
The best season to visit Manas Park is between October to
April. Rest of the year it is off season for the park.
Avoid monsoons as many parts of the park is flooded and
animals are not easy to spot.
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