Manas National Park

Why in news?

The tiger population in western Assam’s Manas National Park, a major wildlife preserve stretching into Bhutan, tripled from 2011 to 2019, a new study has said.

Tiger Population Growth:

• The tiger population in Manas National Park, western Assam, tripled from 2011 to 2019.

Study Source:

• The findings were published in the Journal of Biological Conservation.

Reasons for Growth:

• Increased funding, improved protection infrastructure, and a larger staff were key factors.
• Tourism revenue also played a role in supporting growth.

Collaborative Efforts:

• The report highlights the success of collaboration among local communities, government, and conservation agencies in the park's recovery.

Challenges:

• Ongoing issues like poaching and habitat loss remain, requiring continuous management focus.

Tiger Density:

• Tiger density in Manas increased from 1.06 adults/100 km² in 2011–12 to 3.64 in 2018–19.
• There is potential for the density to grow to 8 or more adults/100 km².

Potential for Further Growth:

• The tiger population could double by 2023 if effective conservation measures continue.

2021 Tiger Count:

• 44 adult tigers were photographed in Manas in 2021.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

• Manas is one of Assam's two UNESCO World Heritage Sites for tigers, alongside Kaziranga National Park.

Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve:

1. Location:

• Situated in the foothills of the Himalayas in Assam, India.
• Contiguous with Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan.

1. Designations and Recognition:

• Natural World Heritage Site
• Tiger Reserve
• Elephant Reserve
• Biosphere Reserve
• Important Bird Area (IBA)

1. Historical Significance:

• One of the first reserves included in the Project Tiger network in 1973.

1. Conservation Landscape:

• Forms part of a large tiger conservation landscape, which includes Buxa, Nameri, Pakke, and Namdapha Tiger Reserves in India, and protected areas in Bhutan and Myanmar.

1. Name Origin:

• Named after the Manas River, which itself is named after the serpent goddess Manasa.
• The Manas River is a major tributary of the Brahmaputra River.

1. Flora:

• Vegetation types include:
• Sal forests (Shorea robusta)
• Scrub forests
• Old plantations (in buffer areas)
• Semi-evergreen and mixed deciduous forests
• Grasslands and riparian vegetation (in the core area)

1. Fauna:

• Known for its rare and endangered species, including:
• Hispid Hare
• Pigmy Hog
• Golden Langur
• Indian Rhinoceros
• Asiatic Buffalo

1. Conservation Importance:

• Critical for protecting a wide range of species and maintaining biodiversity in the region.
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