Welcome to Manas National Park- The World Heritage Site

The Manas River in its origin inside Bhutan is known as Dang-me-chu. It is splits up at Mathanguri or Mathanguri in India in to two major channels:-

On the upper reaches both the rivers are bouldery bedded and is characterized by very low temperature of river water for about 3-4 Km. Down stream. Beyond that the channels are devoid of rapids. The predominating feature in the higher reaches is the high speed and volume of water which does not occur beyond 3-4 Km. Down stream. Beyond that distance the water becomes warmer finally at the National Park boundary the water regains normal temperature. This zonation of water temperature could be the cause fish bio-diversity in these rivers. A study carried out by Guwahati University Zoology department found as many as 106 species of fishes in this river. Of late there has been tremendous fishing in this river depleting the large sized fishes which have been heavily poached for consumption. This has tremendously effected the predators dependent upon the rivers.

GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Also strategies:-

I	Kahitama -	Sidajhar -	Mathanguri
II	Bispani -	Narayanguri-	Sidajhar
III	Bispani -	Narayanguri-	Kahitama
IV	Kuhighat -	Ouguri -	Gabhorukhunda

4. To co-ordinate with the Bhutan authorities to keep the river free of any chemicals like detergents, soaps etc. along with the human fecal matters and garbage.

Strategies:-

1. A survey prior to writing this management plan has confirmed that in this eco-system the fish population is trying to recover. Hence the entire river eco-system be put to a period of rest and monitoring for five years during which at various research at the eco-system have been made along with population growth of the fish fauna. The research team also should monitor all mammalian and Avian predators as well. The time frame for implementation:-

Because of the nature of the river it keeps on changing its navigable channels leaving a wide area in the bosom of the river in form of river island call Tapu. These are good enough as habitats or cover for wild buffalos. It is quite known that there were ephemeral, touch and go between annual flood and re-growth of river in Grasslands in these areas.

This river system is the only source of quality water utilized by all the major fauna. For Tigers, Elephants, Buffaloes, deer of all species, bison, leopards and the cats, this is the only source of water during severe drought. Available drinkable water in a plenty to the west is at Kanamakra river and towards the east only at few Bhabar Terai Nalas in the winter season for large mammals which show tendencies of local migration in the East West direction.

Elephant migration takes in accountof the low volume- shallow water configuration to cross over to the either side of the Manas/ Beki river. It is the only major obstacle on their migration route. Of late, there has been a tendency for elephant herds to stick to the this river bank till vegetation affords them food.
Ecological/ Environmental/ Wildlife values of this river is unsurpassed and the government of India and as well as the Royal Kingdom of Bhutan must not in any way interfere by building dams or other drainage projects.

The aesthetic value of this river system is unique in the world and must be preserved for posterity. With the sparkling river water mirroring the cloudless winter sky and shiny white boundary and banks can give a mind blowing experience combined with the soothing rush of rapids. The moonlit winters are a different thing altogether. The scenic river can be enjoyed visually from the autumn onwards with the flowering of Saccharum spontaneum which create an illusion of fluffy flowers stretching along miles along the grassy river banks.

The golden Mahseer and other sporting fishes of the genus Barbus are excellent for harmless kind of river fishing with rod and line and there are overseas tourists who are willing to pay up in pound sterlings or in dollars to participate in such exhilarating activities. There are even groups of Indian and overseas people with a spiritual and mystical bent of mind who would also, in small numbers, like to meditate in the serene environments of the riverside. All that is required from us is a will to preserve all that this river has to offer and save it for posterity.