3rd Year Special Annual Double Issue Vol 4 Issue 1 & 2 Jan - Apr 2 3rd Year Special Annual Double Issue Vol 4 Issue | Page 107

ADVENTURE & WILDLIFE
There are two distinct biomes - the grassland
biome and the deciduous forest biome in Manas.
The grassland biome which is entirely in the
Indian side, is the foraging ground for large
herbivores like the elephant (population about
1300), wild water buffalo (around 600), rhino
(present population 37), Indian bison/gaur and
three types of deer. The silk cotton tree is the
predominant tree species to be found in the
grassland biome. The forest biome is partly in
India, but largely in Bhutan. It supports several
endemic species like the golden langur, the
capped langur, the giant Malayan squirrel
along with numerous birds including the great
hornbill. The easily spotted animals in the park
are the Wild Asian elephant, wild water buffalo,
one-horned rhino, bison, wild boar and various
members of the deer family.
The tiger (population 40), the leopard, the black
panther, clouded leopard, golden cat though
present, are more elusive. The Assam
roofed turtle, hispid hare and the pygmy hog
are the other rare and endemic animal species
to be found in the park. They are also difficult to
be spotted. Amongst the birds, the park is
home to the Bengal florican which is a highly
endangered
bird
species.
Peacocks
and the jungle fowl are two colourful birds,
which can be seen foraging on the forest floor
everywhere. The other birds which one can
see are Great hornbills, red-vented bulbuls,
jungle Mynahs, brahminy ducks/ Ruddy shelducks,
Starlings, Indian and Pied Kingfishers, Kalij
pheasants, egrets, pelicans, fishing eagles, crested
serpent-eagles,
falcons,
scarlet
minivets,
bee-eaters, magpie robins, grey hornbills,
mergansers, harriers, ospreys, herons and various
species of doves and pigeons.
tourists. It has limited facilities, but view from
the balcony of the guesthouse is breath taking.
While on jungle safari, Indian nationals carry-
ing either Indian passport or Indian Voter ID are
allowed to visit the Bhutanese side of the
sanctuary up to a village called Panbang which
is 13 KMs inside Bhutan. At Panbang, one can
savour Bhutanese food, buy Bhutanese
handmade artefacts and see schools of fishes
swimming in the fast-flowing waters of the
Manas from a hanging bridge built across the
river.
My visit to Manas began by taking an
early morning direct flight to Guwahati from
Bengaluru. Cab for Manas was pre-arranged
at the Guwahati airport. We had pre-booked
our accommodation at the “Bansbari Lodge”
located at Bansbari. We reached the
guest house by 2.00 PM. The rooms were
clean and comfortable. The food served there
was Assamese cuisine cooked home style.
The taste was awesome. Whether it was jungle
safari in open Maruti Gypsies or on elephant
back or rafting on the river, every moment had
something new to offer. The variety of animals
and birds which we saw were amazing. The view
everywhere was breath taking. Manas has left
us spellbound. Manas promises to give every
wild life and adventure enthusiast full return for
the time and effort made to visit the place.
The park is open to tourists between the months
of November and April. It is a 180 KM drive
from Guwahati. Road condition is very good. It
took us two and a half hours to reach Bansbari
- the main entrance to the park from Guwa-
hati airport. There are quite a few comfortable
and
reasonably
priced
tourist
lodges/
guesthouses
at
Bansbari.
On
request,
the lodge/guesthouse authorities make arrange-
ments for Park safari in open Maruti Gypsies with
guide and forest guard, safari on elephant back,
river rafting and transfer by cab to the guest-
house, to and from Guwahati airport or railway
station. There is a guest house maintained by
the Forest Department of Government of Assam
deep inside the sanctuary and overlooking the
Manas river at Matanguri. It can be booked by
Vol 4 | Issue 2 |Mar - Apr 2019
107