Manas National Park: Where the forest still has a soul

Tucked quietly along the Assam-Bhutan border, Manas National Park doesn’t make noise to grab attention. The forest speaks for itself — in the rustle of tall grasses, in the slow bend of the Manas River, in the soft call of birds you’ve never heard before. This isn’t just a protected area. It’s a living story — of animals, of people, of tradition.

Manas is one of the few places in India where the wild still feels untouched. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is home to some of the rarest species in the world — the Royal Bengal tiger, one-horned rhinoceros, golden langur, pygmy hog, wild buffalo, and over 450 bird species. But the real soul of Manas lies beyond its animal list. It lies in the deep respect the local communities have for this land — the kind of connection that can’t be explained in tourist brochures.

For generations, the Bodo people and other indigenous communities have lived around Manas. To them, this forest is not just nature — it is memory, identity, and even worship. Villagers still follow traditional practices that honour the land — from forest medicine passed down through families to small rituals offered before entering the woods.

But this quiet balance wasn’t always secure. Years ago, during political conflict and lawlessness, the forest fell into silence. Poachers moved in, rangers moved out. Rhinos vanished. Camps were destroyed. Manas was marked “in danger” by UNESCO. For a time, it seemed like the forest might not survive.

But slowly, it came back. Anti-poaching camps were restored. Forest guards trained. Drones and camera traps were introduced. The Indian Rhino Vision programme helped bring rhinos back. And more importantly, the local people were made part of the effort. Homestays opened. Villagers became guides. Women’s groups sold local crafts.

But the present brings a new kind of challenge. Development is here. Resorts and lodges are expanding. Tourist vehicles come in more frequently. For some, these changes bring opportunities. For others, they bring worry. Forest routes once used for grazing are now restricted.

Even so, Manas remains. Because for those who belong to this land, Manas is not a project. It is a sacred space. And if we are wise, we will let it remain that way.