Tiger Reserves of India- Manas Tiger Reserve- Combination of Scenic Beauty and Wealth of Wilderness

Manas Tiger Reserve is combination of scenic beauty and rare wealth of wilderness which proves to be one of the most enthralling experiences in any wildlife enthusiast's life. It is Assam's first Tiger project created in 1973 at the time of launch of the project Tiger. It is part of UNESCO's Natural World Heritage site Manas which is the most stunning pristine wildlife habitat in India. Its spectacular landscapes are among best in the world.

Manas Tiger Reserve is located at the confluence of Indian, Ethiopian and Indo-Chinese realms resulting in the magnificent biodiversity having unique distinction encompassing a project Tiger Reserve, an Elephant Reserve and a Biosphere Reserve. The Reserve area falls in six districts Kokrajhar Bangaigaon, Barpeta, Nalbari, Kamrup, and Darnang.

Situated in the north bank of the Brahamputra river, the Reserve runs along the Indo-Bhutan international border. The enchanting Manas River, named after the serpent goddess Manasa is the largest Himalayn tributary of the mighty Brahamputra coming down the gorges of Bhutan Hills from the north. The crystal clear water splits into two major streams, i.e. separate rivers in India, the Beki river and Bholkaduba river. The coloured pebbles of these rivers are added attraction. There are numerous other rivers criss-crossing the Reserve, namely Sankosh, Saralbangha, Hel, Tanali, Courang, Sidli (Bhor) Aio, Beki, Pathimari, Kaladia, Tihunala, Morapagaldia , Nala, Braalia, Pbornodi and Dhansiri. Waterholes have also been created at Buraburijhar, Makhibaha and Dhaulabil in the core area. These rivers drain the reserve which lies in a wide low-lying alluvial terrace below the foothills of the outer Himalayas. While the core-zone, the Manas National Park is a pristine wildlife habitat, the rest of the reserve is a collection of eighteen Reserved Forests with revenue villages. While traversing the Reserve form West to East, one come across Sal forests , both virgin and degraded, moist mixed deciduous forests, isolated patches of sub-Himalayan high Alluvial Semi evergreen forests, Eastern Valoor type Forests, grassland of both-low alluvial savannah woodland and Assam valley semi-evergreen Alluvial grassland and terai types and miscellaneous forests. Limestone and sandstone form the bedrock of the savannah area in the north while the grassland in the south consists of deep deposits of fine alluvium.

Conservation history

Manas Tiger Reserve was created in 1973, with Manas Sanctuary as its core. Manas Sanctuary with an area of 360 sq.km., was created way back in 1928. Prior to declaration of the sanctuary, the area was reserve Forests (R.F) called Manas R.F. and Northern Kamrup R.F. The Raja of Gauripur and the Cooch-Bihar Royal family were using these areas as hunting preserve. The sanctuary was later extended by two successive additions in 1951 and 1955 to 391sq.km. by including the entire North Kamrup Reserve.Forest and the Manas Reserve Forest and the area was declared as Manas National Park in 1990.

Major Flora

The reserve has 374 species of dicotyledons and 139 speceis of Monocotyledon plants. It is an abode for rare plants such Reinwardia, Desmond motorium, Pueroria subspicota, Biden pilore, Exacum teres, Pygmaeopreme herbacea, Chiloschhiosta junifera, Oplismenus megaphyllus, Magnifere sylvetica etc.There is considerable variety of aquatic flora along the Manas river.

Main Species

Main species include Shorea robusta, Artocarpus Chaplasha species,. Bombax ceiba, Careya arborea, Chukarasia tabularis, Dillenia pentagyna, Lagestroemia parviflora, Leea aequata, Leea Crispa, Melastoma Malbathricum, Oroxylum indicum, Toona ciliata, Trewia nodiflora, Duabanga Grandiflora, Holarrhaena antidysentrica, Mallotus, phillippensis , Mukuna bracteata, Pouzlozia Zeylancia, Syzygium formosum, Terminalia bellarica, Zingibar zecumber, Zizyphus mauritiana etc.Grasses include Imperata Cylindrica,Narenga porphyrocoma, Panicum species, Saccharum arundinaceum, thrysanolaena maxima etc.

Faunal

There are a plethora of animals of a variety of wildlife including 55 Mammalian species,36 reptilian species and 3 amphibian species in terms of numbers. It is the greatest protected area in India. The tiger population has been estimated at 89 in 1997.

The main species are tiger, Capped languor, Black Panther, Assamese Macaque, Rhesus Macaque, Large Indian civet, Himalayan palm civet common mongooses, small Indian Mongooses jackal Indian fox leopard cat,. Golden cat, Asian Elephant, Indian pangolin, one-horned rhinoceros.

Besides these, there are golden Langur, Common Langur, Slow Loris Royal Black Panther, Clouded Leopard, wild cat, Fishing Cat , Small Indian Civet, , Binturong, Dhole, Indian Fox, Red Fox, Himalayan Black Bear, Sloth Bear, Smooth Indian otter, Yellow Throated Materna, Chinsees Badger, Yellow bellied Short nosed Fruit Bat, Greater Yellow Bat, three stripped Plam Squirrel, five stripped palm Squirrel, Malayan giant squirrel, Bay Bamboo Rat, Little Indian field mouse,Gaur, Asiatic Water Buffalo, Sambar Hog Deer, Barking Deer, Swamp Deer, Spotted Deer, Wild Boar and the Gangetic Dolphin. The rare and attractive red Panda has been spotted occasionally in the higher elevated has been also spotted recently. The Assam roofed turtle has been also spotted recently. The diminutive and extremely rare pigmy hog and hispid has been found in grasslands.

Endangered species

The tiger Reserve harbours 21 highly endangered species of birds and animals. They are listed in the IUCN red data book .

These are capped langur. Garden langur, slow Loris, Tiger, Black Panther leopard cat, clouded leopard, golden cat, Fishing cat, Bear cat, sloth Bear, Asian Elephant , Indian pangolin, one-horned rhinoceros., Asiatic water buffalo, swamp deer, party-coloured flying squired, Hispid hare and Gangetic dolphin.

Avian

Manas gets number of migratory birds like River-chats, forktails, cormorants, ruddy shell-ducks etc. There are regular woodland birds like Indian hornbill and pied hornbill. The rare Finn's baya nests here and Bengal floricans also breed at large. Four different species of hornbill are found near fruiting trees.During winter the ibisbills visit the rivers's edge. Butterflies and reptiles are found aplenty in Manas.

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By :  News Team