Manas National Park or Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is a Wildlife Sanctuary, UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, a Project Tiger Reserve, an Elephant Reserve and a Biosphere Reserve in Assam, India. Located in the Himalayan foothills, it is contiguous with the Royal Manas National park in Bhutan. The park is known for its rare and endangered endemic wildlife such as the Assam Roofed Turtle, Hispid Hare, Golden Langur and Pygmy Hog. Their goal is to be able to fully fund the preservation and keep the sanctuary alive and thriving for many years to come.

This is an effort that will take everyone that is involved help. One particular ecological uniqueness is the vegetation: The Burma Monsoon Forests of Manas lie on the borders between the Indo-Gangetic and Indo-Malayan biogeographical realms and is part of the Brahmaputra Valley Biogeographic Province. The combination of Sub-Himalayan Bhabar Terai formation with riverine succession leading up to Sub-Himalayan mountain forest makes it one of the richest biodiversity areas in the world.

The main vegetation types are: Sub-Himalayan Light Alluvial Semi-Evergreen forests in the northern parts.

* East Himalayan mixed Moist and Dry Deciduous forests (the most common type). * Low Alluvial Savanna Woodland, and * Assam Valley Semi-Evergreen Alluvial Grasslands which cover almost 50% of the Park. Animals in the sanctuary: * The sanctuary has recorded 55 species of mammals, 380 species of birds, 50 of reptiles, and 3 species of amphibians. Out of these wildlife, 21 mammals are India’s Schedule I mammals and 31 of them are threatened. The fauna of the sanctuary include Asian Elephants Indian Rhinoceros, Gaurs, Asian Water Buffaloes, Barasingha, Tigers, Leopards, Clouded Leopards, Asian golden cat, Capped Langurs, Golden Langurs, Assamese Macaques, Slow Loris, Hoolock Gibbons, Smooth-coated Otters, Sloth Bears, Barking Deer, Hog Deer, Sambar Deer and Chital.

* The park is well known for its rare and endangered wildlife which is not found anywhere else in the world like the Assam Roofed Turtle, Hispid Hare, Golden Langur and Pygmy Hog. Manas houses about 380 species of birds. Manas have the largest population of endangered Bengal Florican. The major other birds includes Giant Hornbills, Jungle Fowls, Bulbuls, Brahminy Ducks, Kalij Pheasants, Egrets, Pelicans, Fishing Eagles, Serpent Eagles, Falcons, Scarlet Minivets, Bee-Eaters, Magpie Robins, Pied Hornbills, Grey Hornbills, Mergansers, Harriers, Ospreys and Herons. Two major biomes exist in Manas and they are the grassland biome and the forest biome.

The biological interrelationship among the life forms in the area pretty much coexists with each other as anywhere else in the world where there are predators and prey but with the help of people to govern their environment a little bit so that the species survive and don’t become extinct. Their was quite a bit of human intrusions precisely a century ago the British Government declared Manas as a protected area and hunting and killing of wildlife was banned. In 1928, the name Manas Wildlife Sanctuary was inscribed and by 1955 Manas was approximately 391sq kms large.

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary was declared as a Tiger Reserve in 1973; which was amongst the first in the country and was also declared as the World Heritage site under the N (ii) (iii) (iv) in the year 1985. In 1989, the status of “Biosphere Reserve” was also granted to Manas. In the year 1990, the center declared this region as “Manas National Park”. A lot of effort has been made and achievements such as at least 47 poachers around the Manas National Park surrendered to MMES their hand made guns.

MMES have employed most of these ex-poachers as guards paying them monthly salaries. MMES also established the MMCA or the Conservation Area which the society is responsible for. Constructing roads and bridges in the area and maintenance of these roads for the past few years have been solely the MMMES achievements. Domestic as well as foreign tourists visit the place and eco-tourism is gaining momentum. MES is eagerly looking for donations so that their enthusiasm and willingness to support conservation takes a materialistic path.

Most of the times MMES is in need of funding and they depend on the tourists or contributors to help them financially. If Manas revives back to a stable state which I think is quite possible, MMES would have played a herculean role in this effort. In fact, the Maozigendri boys are an example for the youth of this country to step forward and protect Mother Nature who is most vulnerable to destruction. The Manas Maozigendri Eco-tourism society stands tall as an exemplary organization with a lot of passion and tremendous wildlife conservation values.

So we as that people began to participate and support our wildlife preservations and the diversity of the area. Preservation through Communication Preservation through communication can be reached through publications, newsletters and community and outreach activities. Teaming up with Wilderness Committee’s to host an educational slideshows. Things like this can be very informative for example “Over 50 people came out to listen to Caribou Biologist, Dave Quinn, discuss one of BC’s most endangered species.

Over 700 people attended the Hyde Creek Salmon Festival in November and NWPS was one of the many environmental groups in attendance.  They provided a relevant presentation about wildlife as a feature of the festival. Thanks to a large number of volunteers, NWPS is able to continually update their website to provide current, interesting information. Through their ‘Passion for Wildlife’ program they engage a number of people in the preparation of educational information about the wildlife they seek to preserve.

Each year many members of the public visit this website to access current information about its wildlife education and habitat stewardship programs, as well as up to date information about wildlife in British Columbia. • Preservation through Education Another way is through education through the Wildlife Education Programs in schools, language centers, seniors’ homes and community centers throughout the region. Through these programs people will be provided with information on wildlife in BC, endangered species and environmental issues.

Each year they provide an entertaining and informative wildlife presentation for over 700 school-aged children. • Preservation through Involvement The NWPS had launched the Nature Walk & Workshop Program in 2005. Seven classes from the Lower Mainland participated in the Nature Workshop program and visited one of the following natural areas: Lighthouse Park, Bear Creek Park, Capilano River Park, or Burnaby Lake Park.  Through this program, students learn about wildlife, visit wildlife habitats and participate in stewardship activities. Many individuals visit natural spaces and learned about wildlife in BC through their Owl Prowl field trips and a special Earth day program. • Preservation through Stewardship Having the community to Help in the preservation through stewardship in another avenue. In celebration of Earth Day 2005, NWPS hosted a trail restoration event in Deep Cove, BC.

Over 20 volunteers and community members Helped the District of North Vancouver Parks Department by helping restore a section of the popular Baden-Powell trail. At the end of the day, our team had built an 11-step staircase on the trail and had planted many tree seedlings Animal Rescue Calendar – Supporting Animal Rescue Groups Supporting animal rescue groups is a very good way to support preservation. This year NWPS produced a TISOL Animal Rescue Calendar.

They reached another 5,000 people and cemented working relationships with over 12 groups. They have planned for this campaign to break-even for this year and have established a platform for greater success in the future. • Outreach Funding – Support from Communities Annual outreach campaigns can reach people out of your arm reach. And you do this by asking them to engage in supporting the environment through our education programs. If intrusion goes unchecked the lost for the preservation will be great.

We really have to look at the big picture here when we see this because it is not a small problem, to some it may be but this kind of intrusion could cause many species to become extinct. Can you imagine ten years from now not being able to show your child, or grandchildren what a Bengal Tiger looks like. I mean to literally not be able to visit the zoo and have to tell you child that this particular animal no longer exists. This will happen to many species if certain precautions are not takes. Wildlife is just as valuable as our own; it creates a balance here on this earth.

Reference

You may also be interested in the following: a visit to a bird sanctuary, essay on wildlife sanctuary, man wildlife conflict, wildlife sanctuary essay