Restoring Manas

Editorial
www.assamtribune.com

Guwahati, Thursday, December 22, 2005

HOME

After Kaziranga, it is the turn of the Manas National Park to celebrate the completion of its hundredth year. A century is a long period in conservation, and we are lucky that two protected areas that best symbolise the unique biodiversity of the State should be observing their centenary in the same year. In no way less endowed in terms of biodiversity than its more celebrated cousin, Kaziranga, Manas can boast of a landscape that few other jungles in the country can match. Then, with 21 of the 41 Schedule I animals, it is also having the highest number of endangered species. The significance of Manas lies on a number of counts. It is a national park, a tiger reserve, a biosphere reserve, an elephant reserve and a World Heritage Site - no other protected area of the country can claim so many distinctions.

While the Kaziranga centenary was a grand affair, befitting the successful conservation history of a hundred years, and drew worldwide attention, the celebrations at Manas were somewhat low-key. The reasons were understandable. It is only in the past one year or so that Manas has started to limp back to normal after having borne the brunt of a socio-ethnic unrest for well over a decade. The prolonged period of disturbance left its infrastructure shattered, and the flora and fauna, too, suffered considerably. That Manas has been able to withstand the onslaught perpetrated on it, is a tribute to the resilience of its amazing eco-system. Now, the numerical significance of the centenary apart, the occasion has also coincided with a renewed interest in, and concern for, Manas. This is crucial for long-term survival of Manas. Another positive trend is that tourists - domestic as well as from abroad - are flocking Manas like never before. While the scars of the past are too deep to heal overnight, there has obviously been a new awakening that Manas is a priceless natural heritage that must be preserved for posterity. The centenary celebrations have sent out the message loud and clear - that a united effort from all concerned, the forest authorities, the locals, the NGOs, is the need of the hour, as Manas enters a critical phase of recuperation.

The centenary, in a way, can very well turn out to be the rebirth of Manas, provided we display a collective interest in securing its well-being and restore its lost glory. The ray of hope is finally there for Manas, and the Government, in particular, must seize the initiative to do the needful and quicken the healing process of this magnificent jungle. For this, priority must be given to put its crumbling infrastructure back on the rails and to enforce foolproof security in the Park. The main road to Manas has been as good as non-existent for years, which speaks volumes about the importance that this World Heritage Site is getting. Then, making the people living in the fringe areas stakeholders in the conservation process should do a world of good to its future prospects. Our forest department has always been hamstrung for lack of manpower and encouraging the people to contribute to conservation will definitely prove beneficial. Promoting eco-tourism is another vital area that holds immense promise for Manas. A flourishing tourism not just adds to the income of the locals and the State exchequer, it is also an effective antidote to activities detrimental to the interests of conservation. Promoting traditional lodgings is an exciting proposition that should be explored in Manas. For too long Manas has been in the news for all the wrong reasons, and it is time we wiped out that sinister reputation once and for all. That alone would be a fitting tribute to Manas on its centenary.