If asked to name a National Park in Assam, most people would say “Kaziranga”. But the state is also home to Manas National Park, a biosphere reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Natural). Located on India’s border with Bhutan in the foothills of the Himalayas, the National Park takes its name from the river Manas, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, which passes through the reserve forest.

Originally a hunting area for the royal families of Cooch Behar and Gauripur, it was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1928 with an area of 391 sq.km. Over time, the area under the sanctuary expanded to 850 sq.km. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, the park suffered heavily due to poaching and was even listed as a World Heritage Site in danger in 1992. However, sustained efforts at conservation led to it being removed from that list in 2011.

Two biomes

The area has two biomes — grassland and forest — and is home to 55 species of mammals, 380 bird species, 50 species of reptiles, and three species of amphibians. Beyond this, there are rare and endemic animals not found anywhere else, such as Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur and pygmy hog. The wild water buffalo is another well-known inhabitant. Other wildlife found here include Bengal florican, slow loris, great hornbill, black giant squirrel, clouded leopard, fishing cat, crested serpent eagle, ospreys and more.

However, the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, held in South Korea in July, brought up the issues of invasive species and encroachment that have not yet been addressed. It also questioned the impact of the Mangdechhu hydroelectric project in Bhutan.

Did you know?

Manas hosts the only known population of pygmy hogs in the world. The pygmy hog, as its name implies, is the smallest pig on the planet.

The Indian rhinoceros disappeared from the park due to heavy poaching and was reintroduced in 2007.

The Golden Langur, discovered here in the mid-20th century, can be found only here and in the neighbouring areas of Bhutan.

Published - August 07, 2026 08:52 am IST