| Ensure that you make time for a trip across the
river to Bhutan for which you need permission from the authorities.
The drive from Barpeta Road to Manas is scenic with the Bansbari
tea plantations and the picturesque semul bordering the roads.
The gravel path crawls past the beautiful grassy expanse that
affords animal sightings even on the way to the reserve.
Permits to visit can be obtained from the Field Director’s
Office in Barpeta Road.
Watch out for the red stinger ants that may drop from their
leaf nests whilst on elephant back!
While on elephant back, look out for spiders that spin webs
across treetops, bird nests and other small fauna.
Stunning orchids are on display from March to May.
Drive slowly. The maximum speed is 30 km per hour within
the reserve. Do not blare the horn, overtake or leave the
prescribed route. Visitors are not permitted to disembark
from the vehicle at any point.
Dress in muted forest colours like greens and dull browns.
It is advisable to carry woollens with you in the winter,
since the nights are cold.
Do not talk loudly or carry tape-recorders and disturb animals.
Do not litter.
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| There are no catering arrangements in the forest
lodges, so visitors are required to bring their own provisions.
Utensils, crockery and the services of a cook may be available
on request and a small payment. Tips are appreciated.
Consuming alcohol and carrying arms and ammunition within
the precincts of the sanctuary is strictly prohibited.
While staying inside the forest, conform to the unspoken
rule of ‘no bright lights’ or you could have beetles
and other stray insect life as companions for the night.
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| In 1917, the North Kamrup region and the eastern
part of Manas were declared a protected area and attained sanctuary
status in 1928. All the way to 1955, this protection continued
to become more effective. The sanctuary, which includes part
of Manas Reserve Forest and all of North Kamrup Reserve Forest,
constitutes the core of the Manas Tiger Reserve, which lies
in the forest divisions of Kachugaon, Haltugaon, Western Assam
Wildlife and North Kamrup.
When the forest was established as a tiger reserve in 1975
under Project Tiger, the animal’s population was around
30, down by two-thirds on account of hunting.
In 1986, UNESCO declared Manas a World Heritage Site. In
1990, the area was extended to include the Kokilabari, Kahilama
and Panbari Reserve forests, which were declared a National
Park.
Between 1990 and 1993, the Bodo insurgency escalated and
Manas was redefined as a ‘World Heritage Site in Danger’.
The situation was deemed to be under control by October 1995,
when tourists were once again permitted entry.
The Manas forests are extensive. The entire reserve covers
2,840 sq km of land, with a core area of 391 sq km. The protected
area in Assam extends to Bhutan in the North where the Bhutanese
Government has established a sanctuary, also called Manas,
covering a total area of 565 sq km adjoining the Indian one.
Co-operative efforts have been made by the governments of
India and Bhutan to manage the Manas ecosystem as a whole.
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