- Location: Situated in the Bongaigaon and Barpeta districts of Assam, India, at the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas and along the international border with Bhutan, forming part of a transboundary conservation landscape connected with Bhutan’s Royal Manas National Park.
- Ancient & Indigenous Presence: Historically inhabited by indigenous communities, especially the Bodo and Adivasi tribes, whose traditional knowledge, cultural practices, and forest-based livelihoods have long been closely linked with the natural environment of the region.
- Colonial Era: During British rule, parts of the surrounding region witnessed the establishment of tea estates, which influenced local settlement patterns and economic activities while leaving the core forested landscape relatively undisturbed.
- Wildlife Sanctuary: Declared as Manas Wildlife Sanctuary in 1950 to ensure the protection of its rich fauna, grasslands, and forest ecosystems, marking the beginning of formal conservation efforts in the area.
- Tiger Reserve: Designated in 1973 under India’s flagship Project Tiger initiative, recognizing its importance as a critical habitat for the Bengal tiger and strengthening measures for wildlife protection and habitat management.
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: Inscribed in 1985 in recognition of its outstanding biodiversity, scenic natural beauty, and status as a refuge for several rare, endemic, and endangered species.
- Biosphere Reserve (India): Declared as Manas Biosphere Reserve in 1989 by the Government of India to promote conservation, sustainable development, and research while balancing ecological protection with the needs of local communities.
- National Park: Upgraded to National Park status in 1990, providing the highest level of legal protection under Indian wildlife laws and reinforcing its conservation framework.
- Area: Covers approximately 950 sq. km, encompassing a mosaic of grasslands, riverine habitats, and forested tracts that support diverse ecological communities.
- Hills: Characterized by the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas and extensions of the Bhutan Hills, which contribute to varied elevation, rich soil types, and significant topographical diversity within the reserve.
- River: The Manas River flows through the heart of the reserve, originating in the mountains of Bhutan before joining the Brahmaputra River; its seasonal flooding patterns help shape fertile floodplains, wetlands, and riverine forests.
- Plants: Vegetation includes subtropical evergreen forests, moist deciduous forests, semi-evergreen patches, and extensive alluvial grasslands, creating ideal habitats for both large mammals and avian species.
- Animals: Home to iconic species such as the Bengal tiger, Indian rhinoceros, Wild Water Buffalo, Red Panda, golden langur, dhole (Indian wild dog), Bengal florican, Gharial, Assam roofed turtle, Asian elephant, and numerous other mammals, reptiles, and birds of conservation significance.