Royal Manas National Park
Royal Manas National Park is the oldest park in Bhutan.Covering 1,057 square kilometers, it is strategically located between Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park in the north, and Manas National
Park in India to the south, the latter an important World Heritage Site.
Thus,Royal Manas is an integral part of a protected areas complex ranging from 150 to 2,600 meters, that includes habitats from lowland tropical forests to permanent ice fields. The park is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, Elephant and four rare species — Golden langur (Presbytis geei), Pygmy hog (Sus salvanius), Hispid hare (Caprolagus hispidus),
and Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica), in addition to being
the only park with the Greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros
unicornis) and Asiatic wild buffalo (Bubalus arnee). 362 species
of birds — including four species of Hornbills (i.e., Rufous-necked, Wreathed,Pied and Great Indian) — have been confirmed. Three species of Mahseer, the rare migratory game-fish — Deep bodied mahseer (Tor tor), Golden mahseer (Tor putitora), and Chocolate mahseer or Katle (Acrossocheilus hexangonolepis) — inhabit the Manas river, which is formed by the Mangde,Chamkhar, Kuri and Dangme rivers. Several plant species are valued as food crops, while a number are of commercial, medicinal, and religious significance.
Royal Manas was one of the earliest recipients of the Fund’s project interventions in the early 1990’s, through support for infrastructure development and baseline biological and socio-economic assessments. Bhutan’s first park management plan was prepared for Royal Manas, and guided management interventions in other parks. About 5,000 people live in remote, isolated villages within the park.
Park in India to the south, the latter an important World Heritage Site.
Thus,Royal Manas is an integral part of a protected areas complex ranging from 150 to 2,600 meters, that includes habitats from lowland tropical forests to permanent ice fields. The park is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, Elephant and four rare species — Golden langur (Presbytis geei), Pygmy hog (Sus salvanius), Hispid hare (Caprolagus hispidus),
and Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica), in addition to being
the only park with the Greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros
unicornis) and Asiatic wild buffalo (Bubalus arnee). 362 species
of birds — including four species of Hornbills (i.e., Rufous-necked, Wreathed,Pied and Great Indian) — have been confirmed. Three species of Mahseer, the rare migratory game-fish — Deep bodied mahseer (Tor tor), Golden mahseer (Tor putitora), and Chocolate mahseer or Katle (Acrossocheilus hexangonolepis) — inhabit the Manas river, which is formed by the Mangde,Chamkhar, Kuri and Dangme rivers. Several plant species are valued as food crops, while a number are of commercial, medicinal, and religious significance.
Royal Manas was one of the earliest recipients of the Fund’s project interventions in the early 1990’s, through support for infrastructure development and baseline biological and socio-economic assessments. Bhutan’s first park management plan was prepared for Royal Manas, and guided management interventions in other parks. About 5,000 people live in remote, isolated villages within the park.