Quick revision notes on Manas National Park covering location, UNESCO status, biodiversity, endangered species, rhino conservation, and important facts important for APSC & UPSC Prelims & Mains.
Location
- Located in Chirang and Baksa District, Assam
- Situated in the foothills of the Himalayas
- Shares northern boundary with Royal Manas National Park
- Named after the Manas River
- Beki River also flows through the park
Vegetation
Major vegetation types:
- Alluvial grasslands
- Tropical evergreen forests
- Semi-evergreen forests
- Tropical Moist and Dry deciduous forests
- Marshlands
Climate
- Tropical monsoon climate
- Highly fertile alluvial soil
- Strong natural regenerative capacity
Important Features
- UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site
- Tiger Reserve
- Elephant Reserve
- Biosphere Reserve
- Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBBA)
Historical Background
Earlier Status
- Earlier used as royal hunting grounds by:
- Royal family of Cooch Behar
- Raja of Gauripur
Important Timeline
October 1,1928
- Declared a sanctuary
- Initial area: 360 sq km
1973
- Declared a Tiger Reserve
- Included under Project Tiger
1985
- Declared UNESCO World Heritage Site
1989
- Declared Biosphere Reserve
1990
- Became a National Park
- Included:
- Kahitama Reserve Forest
- Kokilabari Reserve Forest
- Panbari Reserve Forest
2008 onwards
- Protected area further expanded
- On February 2008, the area was increased to 950 km2
Administration
Managed by:
- Assam Forest Department
- Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC)
Protected under:
- Indian Forest Act
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
While the park is home to just one internal forest village, Pagrang, it remains vital to the livelihoods of 56 surrounding fringe villages.
Important Wildlife
Manas is a critical sanctuary for over 22 endangered species listed under Schedule 1 of India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act, granting them the highest level of legal protection.
Mammals
- Bengal Tiger
- Asiatic Elephant
- Clouded Leopard
- Sloth Bear
- Wild Buffalo
- Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros
Endemic & Rare Species
- Pygmy Hog
- Hispid Hare
- Golden Langur
- Bengal Florican
Important Fact
- Manas contains one of the last pure populations of wild buffalo in India.
Rhino Conservation in Manas
Decline Phase
- Political unrest during the 1990s
- Heavy poaching occurred
- One-horned rhino became locally extinct
1992
- UNESCO placed Manas in the “World Heritage in Danger” list
Rhino Reintroduction Programme
Started in 2007
Major organizations involved:
- Assam Government
- WWF
- International Rhino Foundation
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Foundation
- Bodoland Territorial Council
Achievements
- 32 rhinos translocated by 2019
- Rhino population increased to around 54
21 June, 2011
- UNESCO removed Manas from the “In Danger” list.
APSC CCE Prelims PYQ
Q. Consider the following National Parks of Assam and arrange them in ascending order with respect to the year of declaration as National Park:
(i) Raimona National Park
(ii) Manas National Park
(iii) Dibru-Saikhowa National Park
(iv) Nameri National Park
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(A) (i) – (ii) – (iii) – (iv)
(B) (ii) – (iv) – (iii) – (i)
(C) (iii) – (i) – (iv) – (ii)
(D) (ii) – (i) – (iv) – (iii)
Correct Answer: B
Explained:
Manas National Park – 1990
Nameri National Park – 1998
Dibru–Saikhowa National Park – 1999
Raimona National Park – 2021
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