golden
leaf monkey.
Named
after
the Manas
river,
which
separates
Bhutan
from India,
the park
has dense
deciduous
forests
spread
over an
area of
2840 sq
km which
provide
a sanctuary
to twenty
highly
endangered
species
of birds
and animals,
including
the hispid
hare,
pygmy
hog and
the red
panda
which
can be
seen occasionally
at higher
altitudes.
The sanctuary
is situated
in both
India
and Bhutan,
the two
parks,
both named
Manas,
being
contiguous.
Along
the
Manas
river
and its
tributaries
are spreads
of riverine
forests
as well
as tall
grasslands
on the
floodplains.
To the
south
of the
border,
the Indian
part of
Mb has
tropical
forests
on high
ground,
and riverine
forests
and tall
grasslands
on the
lower
plains.
Birds
which
can be
seen here
are the
giant
hornbills,
both pied
and gray
varieties,
pheasants,
jungle
fowl,
scarlet
minivet,
partridge,
florican,
and a
variety
of water
birds
like the
brahminy
ducks,
mergansers
and a
range
of egrets,
herons
and pelican.
Visitors
to the
park especially
mention
the stunning
sight
of large
numbers
of hornbills
flying
over the
Manas
river
early
mornings
and evenings.
The
Manas
National
Park
in India
and Bhutan
are the
only known
home of
the Golden
Leaf Monkey
discovered
only a
few decades
ago. Other
mammals,
includethe
rare and
endangered
hispid
hare and
pygmy
hog. Lager
mammals
include
the Indian
elephant,
gaur,
water
buffalo
and Indian
rhinoceros.
Flora in Manas National Park:
The Burma Monsoon Forests of Manas lie on the borders between the Indo-Gangetic and Indo-Malayan biogeographical realms and is part of the Brahmaputra Valley Biogeographic Province. The combination of Sub-Himalayan Bhabar Terai formation with riverine succession leading up to Sub-Himalayan mountain forest makes it one of the richest biodiversity areas in the world.
The main vegetation types are:
i) Sub-Himalayan Light Alluvial Semi-Evergreen forests in the northern parts.
ii) East Himalayan mixed Moist and Dry Deciduous forests (the most common type).
iii) Low Alluvial Savanna Woodland, and
iv) Assam Valley Semi-Evergreen Alluvial Grasslands.
Much of the riverine dry deciduous forest is at an early successional stage. It is replaced by moist deciduous forest away from water courses, which is succeeded by semi-evergreen climax forest in the northern part of the park. A total of 543 plants species have been recorded from the core zone. Of these, 374 species are dicotyledons (including 89 trees), 139 species monocotyledons and 30 are Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms. The Park's common trees include Aphanamixis polystachya, Anthocephalus chinensis, Dillenia indica, S. formosum, Careya arborea, S. oblatum, Cinnamomum tamala, Gmelina arborea, Bauhinia purpurea, Mallotus philippensis, Bombax ceiba, Sterculia villosa, Syzygium cumini, D. pentagyna, Lagerstroemia parviflora, L.speciosa, Terminalia bellirica, T. chebula, Trewia polycarpa, Actinodaphne obvata, Oroxylum indicum and Bridelia spp. The Grasslands are dominated by Imperata cylindrica, Saccharum naranga, Phragmites karka, Arundo donax, Dillenia pentagyna, Phyllanthus emblica, Bombax ceiba, and species of Clerodendrum, Leea, Grewia, Premna and Mussaenda
Fauna in Manas National Park: The park has recorded 55 species of mammals, 380 species of birds, 50 of reptiles, and 3 species of amphibians. Out of these wildlife, 21 mammals are India’s Schedule I mammals and 31 of them are threatened.
The fauna of the park includes Asian Elephants, Asian Water Buffaloes, Barasingha, Indian Rhinoceros, Asian golden cat, Assamese Macaques, Clouded Leopards, Capped Langurs, Golden Langurs, Gaurs, Hoolock Gibbons, Tigers, Leopards, Barking Deer, Slow Loris, Smooth-coated Otters, Sloth Bears, Hog Deer, Sambar Deer and Chital.
Manas houses about 380 species of birds. Manas have the largest population of endangered Bengal Florican. The major other birds includes Bee-Eaters, Bulbuls, Brahminy Ducks, Egrets, Fishing Eagles, Falcons, Giant Hornbills, Grey Hornbills, Harriers, Herons Jungle Fowls, Kalij Pheasants, Mergansers, Magpie Robins, Ospreys, Pelicans, Pied Hornbills, Serpent Eagles, Scarlet Minivets and etc.
Best
Season
(Manas
National
Park):
The best
time to
visit
this sanctuary
is from
November
to April,
with the
best period
being
January
toApril.
Access
(Manas
National
Park):
The nearest
airport
is Guwahati,
a distance
of 176
km and
about
6 hours
away while
the nearest
railway
station
is Barpeta
Road,
about
40 km
from the
park.
Hotels/ Resorts in Manas National Park:
| Manas Jungle Camp |
Mothanguri Rest House |
Bansbari Lodge |
Inspection Bungalow |
