Located at the foothills of the Bhutan-Himalayas, Manas National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site and is the crown jewel of the state of Assam. It has an extremely unique biodiversity and landscape, and is one of the first reserves to be included in the network of tiger reserves under Project tiger in 1973. It is contiguous with the Royal Manas National Park, Bhutan on one side and Buxa tiger reserve on the other. The park is known for its rare and endangered endemic wildlife such as the Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur and pygmy hog. Manas is famous for its population of the wild water buffaloes and Asiatic Elephants. The park is divided into three ranges. The western range is based at Panbari, the central at Bansbari near Barpeta Road, and the eastern at Bhuiyapara near Pathsala. The sanctuary has recorded 55 plus species of mammals, 380 plus species of birds, 50 plus of reptiles, and 3 species of amphibians. Out of these, 21 mammals are categorized under Schedule I and 31 of them are threatened.
Some Target Species
Considered one of the the world's rarest simian species, the Golden Langur was first spotted in Manas in the mid-20th century. Other mammals commonly found here are Rhino, large number of Asiatic elephants, Bengal Tiger, Melanistic Leopards, Pygmy hog, Hispid hare, Malayan giant squirrels, capped langur, Assamese Macaque, Rhesus Macaque, Leopard, Golden Cat, Clouded leopard, Fishing cat, Leopard cat, Jungle Cat, Dhole, Large Indian civet, Small Indian civet, Common palm civet, Himalaya palm civet, Binturong, Common mongoose, Himalayan black bear, Sloth bear, Gaur, Large herds of water buffaloes, Sambar, Hog deer, Barking deer, Swamp deer, Wild pigs etc.
Manas is also well known for its spectacular bird diversity. Some target species are Bengal Florican, Great Indian Hornbill, Silver breasted and long-tailed broadbills, large number of collared falconets, Emerald doves, Parrotbills, Crested kingfishers, Khaleej pheasant, Brahminy Ducks, Pelicans, Pied Hornbills, Grey Hornbills, Mergansers, Serpent Eagles, various species of falcons, Red-headed Trogon, large number of Jungle owlets, Sultan tit, Swamp Francolin, Wreathed and Rufous-necked Hornbill, Marsh and Jerdon’s Babblers, Pied Harrier, Ibisbill, Scarlet Minivets, Fishing Eagles, Blue-bearded and green bee-Eaters, Marsh harriers, Comb ducks, Asian fairy bluebirds, Indian silverbill and many more rare and highly sought after species.
