A Study on the Status of Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Ecotourism in Manas National Park, Assam

Abstract

Manas National Park  is a biosphere reserve, a UNESCO Natural world Heritage site, a Project Tiger Reserve, an Elephant Reserve is located in the foothills of Eastern Himalayan mountain range and is contiguous with Royal Manas National Park of Bhutan. It is located at 26?43N?90?56?E is spread over an area of about 850 sq. km. Manas National park with its rich vegetation is abundant in diverse flora and fauna has huge potential for recreational and ecotourism which can act as a major source of income for the state as well as sustainable livelihood for the communities inhabiting in the area. Government officials as well as several NGOs are working together with the inhabitants of the area to promote eco-tourism and in turn reveal the ecological value and fragility of the park. Various awareness camps are organized to control environmental degradation and conservation of  the biodiversity of the national park.  Steps are taken to promote alernative  source of income for the villagers instead of solely depending on timber and firewood for livelihood. The present paper is an attempt to study on the status and scope of increasing sustainable ecotourism in Manas National Park in harmony with the environment for making the national park a favourite tourist destination and earning revenue for the state thus helping in upliftment of the economy