Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
Named after the Manas river, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, Manas Wildlife Sanctuary lies 160 km northeast of Guwahati in the Himalayan foothills. Bordering Bhutan it is one of the most scenic spots endowed with the bounties of nature.
The park is located in the evergreen tropical rain forest region with tall grasslands and rivers where as many as 20 of India’s endangered animals are found. A Project Tiger reserve, Manas lies among the foothills of the Bhutan Himalayas, in the far eastern state of Assam. Spread over 2,837 sq km, the park is a vast, relatively unspoilt expanse of low-lying sal forests and grasslands.
The core area of the reserve lies in Kokrajhar and Barpeta districts, whereas its outlying areas spread over the neighbouring forest reserve divisions of North Kamrup, Western Assam Wildlife Division, Kachugaon and Haltugaon. To the north lies the Royal Manas National Park, in Bhutan.
Manas is one of the best-kept national parks in India. It is home to India’s second-largest tiger population, and although a ride through the park may not guarantee a tiger sighting, you might see some other beauties.
Manas’ other denizens include elephants, rhinos, swamp deer, gaur, and more elusive species, such as the clouded leopard, golden cat, pangolin, fishing cat, pygmy hog and leopard.
The avifauna too is widely varied in the park spread over 540 sq km area. Apart from the winter migrants one can find here some of the rarest birds such as the Bengal florican, ibisbill, shellduck, finn’s baya and the giant hornbill.
The park also shelters a wide variety of insect life, the colourful butterflies in particular, as well as a rich floral wealth including a host of the stunningly beautiful orchids and several other exotic flowers. |
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