ROYAL MANAS NATIONAL PARK
Bhutan’s Crown Jewel, the Manas
National Park represents the largest example of tropical and sub-tropical
ecosystems in Bhutan. This park has only recently been opened to the public and offers
thousands of animal and plant species, many of which are globally
endangered, it is not only the most diverse protected area in the Kingdom but
also noted as one of the world’s biologically outstanding parks. Lying in south
central Bhutan, Manas is connected at the southern border with India’s Manas
Tiger Reserve, a World Heritage Site. To the north it borders the Jigme Singye
Wangchuck National Park. Royal Manas was designated a wildlife sanctuary in
1966 making it Bhutan’s oldest protected area. The area was upgraded to a
National Park in 1993. There are wide climate variations in Royal Manas. The
May-September monsoons bring up to 5,000mm of rain. Rainfall is negligible in
winter and the climate is extremely pleasant from November till March. Manas is
also extremely rich in wildlife species, including the highly endangered Royal
Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, greater one-horned rhinoceros, clouded leopard,
Himalayan black bear, gangetic dolphin and pangolin. Found virtually nowhere
else in the world is the especially rare golden langur, a primate of
extraordinary grace and beauty with its long, silky blond fur.
More than 365 species of birds
have been officially recorded in Royal Manas National Park with an additional
200 believed to be in residence. Species found here include the globally
threatened rufous-necked hornbill, Pallas fishing eagle, great white-bellied
heron, spotted wren-babbler, blue-headed rock thrush and emerald cuckoo. Many
of the park’s more than 900 types of plants have commercial, medicinal,
traditional and religious significance.
