The Manas Biosphere Reserve

Beautiful Manas Landscape

The Man and Biosphere conservation program was initiated by UNESCO in the year 1971. The objective of the program is to integrate humans and human use into the conservation process. Manas Tiger Reserve was identified as potential  Biosphere Reserve in the year 1979 by National Man and Biosphere Committee. It was declared as the 6^th Biosphere Reserve of India in the year  1989. It is the first Biosphere reserve declared in Assam. Second Biosphere Reserve in Assam is Dibru- Saikhowa National Park. The goal of Biosphere program was to conserve representative of natural ecosystems in all of the biogeographic region of the world. 

Within any biosphere, there are 3 main zones: 

1. The core areas that are fully protected from all human activities. 

2. Buffer zones that usually surround the core areas and may include limited human use compatible with sound ecological practice.

3. Transition areas where a variety of human activities such as agriculture and human settlements may occur, and where the stakeholders may work together to sustainably manage the areas' natural resources. 

Beauty of Manas 

 Biosphere Reserve title is one of the prestigious title recognized internationally. But this title has no legal entity. Manas National Park is well protected under Central and State government laws as well as has necessary financial support. But Reserve forests which constitute the major part of the Manas Biosphere Reserve, have no protective status and limited financial support to enforce protection. These forests are still vulnerable to illegal activities like logging as well as encroachment. So it is high time to protect entire Manas Biosphere Reserve for Wildlife and Humankind. Long range animal like Elephant get lots of pressure on free range in these areas. Contiguity of these areas is also disrupted with Bhutan nation due to increasing human activities.  

As it is also the habitat of Golden Langur, the majority of golden langur habitat suffered greatly in last two decades. If changes are not made, buffer reserve forest of Manas National Park will be treeless and along with all the wild, the majority of golden langur will disappear (Horwich H.R.).

Beautiful river Beki

Now protection should be the first priority to the existing tract of uninhabited forest within the Manas Biosphere Reserve. Additionally, community participation is an ardent requirement to convey conservation responsibility to fringe villagers. Protection measures must design such a way that villagers may participate actively without hampering their work.  

If we do not work extensively, we may lose many threatened species forever very soon.

Please share your support/thoughts to ensure the security of entire fragile Manas Biosphere landscape for the betterment of humankind.

Love Manas, Save Manas For Humankind!!!