MANAS NATIONAL PARK- RISE IN TIGER POPULATION

Context

The population of rhinos and tigers in Assam's Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve has increased dramatically.

Key Points

• According to the 2021 census, the national park's tiger population is expected to increase to more than 60 from 48.
• The park's tiger population was ten in 2010, but it had climbed to thirty by 2020.
• After the first tiger census at Manas National Park was done in 2010, the Tiger Conservation Authority predicted that by 2020, the national park's tiger population would have doubled, reaching 30.
• The park had 48 tigers in the census of 2021, suggesting that the tiger population had increased by 18 in a year.
• With a population of more than 60 million people, the census for 2022 is already underway and is expected to be completed in March.

Population of Rhinos

• The Rhino population in the park has also risen. 
• The Assam government planned to reintroduce rhinos in Manas National Park in 2005 under the Indian Rhino Vision 2020 (IRV 2020). 
• The first rhino was translocated to the park in 2006 from the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) near Kaziranga National Park.

National Park of Manas

• Manas National Park is a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, an elephant reserve, a Project Tiger reserve, a biosphere reserve, and a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site.
• It is situated in Assam's Himalayan foothills and borders Bhutan's Royal Manas National Park. 
• The hispid hare, Assam roofed turtle, pygmy hog, and golden langur are among the park's endangered and unique endemic fauna. 
• The wild water buffalo population in this national park is also well-known.