Manas National Park in the Himalayan foothills in the north-eastern part of Assam bordering Bhutan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But that title was lost in the 1980s when the region went through large scale destruction of wildlife and forest during the peak of the Bodo militancy. The onslaught of the militancy had such an adverse affect on the wildlife that by the 2003, it was declared that the one-horned Rhino was extinct from the Park.
Territorial fight between two male Bengal Floricans
Peace returned to the region in 2004 after the formation of the Bodo Territorial Council (BTC). In the following years, through rigorous intervention by the Government, NGOs and community-based conservation organizations, several hunters and poachers gave up hunting and instead became volunteers working side-by-side with forest officials to bring several species back from the brink of extinction.
Today, 60+ rhinos (the initial batch of rhinos were translocated from Kaziranga) and 50+ tigers are known to reside in Manas National Park. Besides rhinos and tigers 60 species of mammals, 500 species of birds and 50+ species of reptiles and amphibians have also been recorded here. Many of these species remain threatened and vulnerable.
Elephants of Manas National Park
Asiatic Wild Buffalo
Some of the vulnerable species include the Asiatic Wild Buffalo who’s population in Manas is believed to be the only pure strain of the species in India. The Golden langur – the most endangered primate species of India. The Pygmy Hog – the smallest pig in the world was once widespread in the grasslands and foothills of the Himalayas. The pygmy hog was considered extinct in the wild in 1970s but a captive program has been successful in re-introducing the species in a handful of protected forests across Assam. The Bengal Florican – critically endangered with an estimated number of 1,000 individuals in South and South-east Asia.
Apart from the fauna, the flora is equally diverse. This is mainly because Manas National Park supports a range of habitats such as marshlands, Bhabar savanah, riverine and terai. The vegetation spread across 3,000 sq km consists of a mix of moist evergreen, dry deciduous and grasslands. It is no wonder that due to this immense bio-diversity, Manas National Park is a biosphere reserve and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Pied harrier – hunter of the grasslands
Wreathed Hornbills – Manas National Park, India Bhutan border
Due to the long term conservation efforts of many, today Manas has become a popular park for wildlife and nature enthusiasts. The Park is a comfortable three hour drive from Guwahati airport. Safaris are organized by the forest department from November 15 to May 15. The Park then shuts down for the monsoon season.
The Park is ideal for those of you whose agenda is not set on spotting tigers. Due to decades of poaching and other forms of human disturbance, the tigers of Manas are still shy of safari vehicles. Where the Park lacks in tiger sightings it sure does make up for it by providing birdwatchers a five star experience. Some of the birds that are high on every twitcher and birdwatchers list include the Bengal Florican, Grey-lored and the Long-tailed Broadbill, Great Indian and Wreathed Hornbills, grassland birds, Pied harrier and other birds of prey.
Grey-lored Broadbill
Manas National Park Map and Safari Routes
Artwork Credit: Richa Kedia
Most hotels are located within a few minutes drive from the Bansbari gate also known as the Central zone. Bhuyanpara (eastern zone) is another gate from where you can do safaris. Bhuyanpara vast grasslands are ideal for birdwatching and is typically where you see grassland birds such as the Bengal Florican, Black-breasted Parrotbill, Little Bunting, Slender-billed Babbler and Striated Grassbird. Rhinos and large herds of elephants are also often spotted in Bhuyanpara. It is important to keep in mind that Bhuyanpara is a 30-45 minutes drive if you are staying near Bansbari. The third gate is Panbari (western zone) which is much further away from Bansbari and because there are no noteworthy hotels near this gate as of date it is not visited by majority of the tourists visiting Manas National Park.
As of 2025, tourists with Indian passports can also visit Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan. Jeep safaris from India to Royal Manas National park is not open for foreigners. Because the distance from Bansbari gate to Royal Manas NP is significant you must dedicate an entire (or more) safari just to visit the Bhutan part of the national park. When doing safaris on the border don’t be surprised to hear the sound of what appears to be helicopters flying over you. They are in fact large numbers of Great Indian Hornbills and the elusive Wreathed Hornbill. For many, seeing so many hornbills in one area is the highlight of their visit to Manas National Park.
Photographing Hornbills on the Indo-Bhutan Border
Golden Langur with baby – Kakoijana
When visiting Manas, it is recommended to keep at-least half a day aside for the Golden Langur. Today, the Golden Langur population is fragmented in small pockets and they’re often not seen (because the area is also very large) when you are on safari inside the national park. However, in Kakoijana, a two hour drive from Manas, community-based conservation organizations along with NGOs have come together to protect the Golden langur.
In this area, villagers don’t chase away langurs as the langurs go back and forth between the reserve forest and the villages foraging for food. Efforts have been made to build aerial rope bridges at several known crossing points on the highway and they’re being used by langurs to cross the highway. Visitors are encouraged to visit Kakoijana with local guides and community based organizations. A portion of your guide fee goes towards supporting these much needed grassroot level conservation initiatives, without which, the species survival would be in peril.
Aerial rope-bridge for Golden Langurs at Kakoijana
Great Indian Hornbill
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