Utopia refers to an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect, the keyword here being ‘imagined’. Perfection in this case refers to the feeling of utmost happiness and well-being. However, in this land of reality and practicality, when it is extremely hard to keep things even in a state of the appropriate and working, to achieve Utopia is a far-fetched goal. Humans are far more self-absorbed to create such a land. But Mother Nature can be an exception here. So, it comes as no surprise that our idea of Utopia is most close to the nature and its wildlife itself. Fortunately, one such place is situated within the country, on the most North-Eastern corner. We are referring to a certain sanctuary, located in the state of Assam, that is often referred as the ‘Wild Utopia’ of India, the ‘Manas Wildlife Sanctuary’.
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary derives its name from the River Manas that passes through its heart. The area was initially used by the Cooch Behar Royal Family and Raja of Gauripur as a hunting reserve and was known as Manas Reserve Forest or North Kamrup Reserve Forest. It was declared a sanctuary in October 1, 1928 and its bio reserve was created in 1973. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 1985. The sanctuary has recorded 60 species of mammals, 500 species of birds and 50 species of reptiles among others, out of which 31 are globally threatened. The park is known for its rare and endangered endemic wildlife such as the Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur and pygmy hog and is specifically famous for its population of the wild water buffalo. It also inhabits the elephants, tigers, the greater one-horned rhino, clouded leopard, sloth bear, Asian golden cats, dholes, capped langurs, Assamese macaques, slow Loris, hoolock gibbons, smooth-coated otters, barking deer, hog deer, black panthers, sambar deer and chitals. The Sanctuary also inhabits more than 450 species of birds and has the largest population of the endangered Bengal Florican to be found anywhere. The park also boasts of a rich flora comprising of 370 species of dicot trees, 15 species of orchids, 18 species of fern and 43 species of grasses. The property has six national and international designations: UNESCO World Heritage Site; National Park; Tiger Reserve (Core); Biosphere Reserve (National); Elephant Reserve (Core) and Important Bird Area.
Location and Access
The Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Assam, India in the Himalayan foothills. It is contiguous with the Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan, thus spreading trans borders. Initially having an area of 360 square kilometers, the park went on to increase in 1951, 1955 and then 2008, currently standing at 950 square kilometers. The park is divided into three ranges: the eastern, the western and the central. The western range is based at Panbari, the central at Bansbari near Barpeta Road, and the eastern at Bhuiyapara near Pathsala. The River Manas, a major tributary of Brahmaputra, passes through the center of the park. There is only one forest village, Pagrang, in the core of the national park. 56 other villages surround the park and are directly or indirectly dependent on it. The only way to reach Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is through the road. It is located 176 kilometers from Guwahati. The National Highway 31 adjoins Barpeta Road (not Barpeta town) which is 22 kilometers to Bansbari (Manas entry point for the Musa Jungle Retreat). The journey from Guwahati by road takes approximately 5 hours. Private and public vcabs are available for the same. Siliguri is 326 kilometers away and Kaziranga is 401 kilometers away. Guwahati is gateway to the North East India to which all major cities of India are well connected. There are several trains stops at Barpeta Road Railway Station, which is 22 kilometers to Bansbari by road. Auto, buses and cars are available which can take you from Barpeta or any other town to Manas National Park. The nearest airport, subsequently, is the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, located in Guwahati about 145 kilometers away.
Best Season to Visit
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary remains closed during the Monsoon months of June to September (sometimes mid-October) as Assam experiences heavy rainfall and flood during this time. The national park experiences semi-tropical climate, with humid summers, cold winters and heavy rainfall during monsoon. Therefore, winter and spring months from November to April are the best for a visit to the Sanctuary as the weather is pleasant and it is easy to spot the wildlife. The temperature generally ranges between 15 ̊C to 25 ̊C at this time. Additionally, it is the best time for birdwatchers, as several migratory birds visit the Park during winter. In March and April, the elephant grasses are burnt down (forest fire prevention method), so there is a maximum wildlife visibility. However, summer is hot, with the mercury soaring as high as 37 ̊C, and May records the highest temperatures.
Safari
To enter into the park, one requires permit that will be obtained from the Field’s Director Office on Barpeta Road. The park does not provide for jeeps or private guides, so one can hire either a private one or take their own four-wheeler inside. The reserve provides for three activities, the Jeep Safari, the Elephant Safari and River Rafting. The most perfect way to encompass the sanctuary is through the jeep safari. The park is famous for its rare endangered species, that can be best sighted while staying at a safe distance on the Jeep. There are two time slots for this, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm in the morning and from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm in the evening. Another interesting way to travel the land is through the Elephant Safari. This ride allows visitors an access to those areas of the reserve where jeeps are not allowed. However, the elephant safari has a limited and specified time allotted in the morning: at 6:00 am and at 7:00 am. For those looking out for adventure in addition to the wildlife traversing, the River Rafting on the waters of River Manas is the best option. The 35-km ride takes the rafters through the wild deciduous forests which are a home to 400 different species of birds. For those who are thrill enthusiasts, it is an experience that should not be missed.
Reason To Visti
The Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is the first reserve to be added under the Project Tiger in 1973. Although located in the furthermost corner of the country, the park is often deemed as one of the most exotic wildlife reserves in the world. It has a unique landscape and biodiversity that differentiates it from the other such national parks. The park is known for its rare and endangered endemic wildlife such as the Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur and pygmy hog and is specifically famous for its population of the wild water buffalo. The park boasts of several endemic and endangered species under a common banner and has been praised by the UNESCO for the measures it takes in protecting them. The sanctuary has a breathtaking scenery and a very serene and peaceful atmosphere, despite of the animals that roams within it. Undoubtedly, it is a Utopian Wildlife that deserves to be on your must-visit list if you are a nature enthusiast and looking for a break from monotony
