Manas Tiger Reserve set to regain past glory-PTI

Manas: Battered by militant activities in the early nineties resulting in its listing as a world heritage site in danger, the picturesque Manas tiger reserve is all set to regain its pristine glory, thanks to astute forest and infrastructure management. Conservation initiatives are going in the right direction and the park is all set to attract animal lovers and tourist as it had done two decades back, says Field Director, Anindya Swargiary. The park recently organised a function called "Logistic support for Manas Tiger reserve" that was held in association with WWF where the WWF officials handed over various vital logistic items to the park authorities. Acknowledging that militant activities had taken the park hundred years back in terms of management system, the park director said serious effort was make to bring it back to order. Although the park was one of the biggest tiger reserves in the country, its unique location offers a difference than other parks. Expressing the hope that tiger population had increased, Swargiary said recently nine big cats were traced during a survey by the Wildlife Institute of India while a fresh survey is underway. Alongwith forest officials, several organisations and NGOs are working in tandem to develop and preserve the park in a coherent manner, he said. The field director felt that as the park shares an international boundary with neighbouring Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, coordination with that country's forest authroties was necessary. Infact only the Manas river running through the park is the boundary line with the otherside known as Royal Bhutan tiger reserve. A meeting between forest officials of the two countries was held recently to bring about coordination in the effort to protect forest and wildlife, says Swargiary. Urging Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), the administrators of the area, to sanction more fund, the forest official said a detailed report will be finalised soon outlining all aspects of preservation. Council head of the department of NTC, G C Basumatary says recognition by the world community in bringing back the world heritage site status to Manas was possible due to untiring efforts of the authorities. During the event, Dipankar Ghosh, programme coordinator of WWF stressed on the need to raise the profile of Manas in national and international levels. Assuring all effort from WWF side to help revive the park, Ghosh congratulated the forest authorities for helping the park to develop. Giving a detail account of the activities in the park, BTC deputy chief Khampha Borgoyary says a probe committee has been set up after skeleton of a Rhino which was translocated from the Pabitora wildlife sanctuary was found inside the park. During the event, eight motorcycles, 20 binoculars, 500 mosquito nets, 1000 shoes, 500 jackets and caps, 500 sweaters, 60 torches and 10 charge lights were handed over to the forest staff. Swargiary says plans are on the anvil to develop accomodation and travelling facilities for the tourists to the park. Admitting that of late the park had very few visitors due to lack of transport facilities, the park director says an amibitous plan is being made by the BTC to easy acess to the visitors to the park and their comfortable stay. Meanwhile, local villagers who are living in the fringe of the park are being educated and made aware of the need to protect the environment and wildlife.