India's Manas Wildlife Sanctuary on the road to recovery

LEAPS AND BOUNDS: Work on boosting the tiger population is paying off in Manas

A UNESCO/IUCN monitoring mission to the sanctuary earlier this year noted the progress made so far to increase the population of key species, including tigers, Indian elephants and the great one-horned rhino.

Other threats such as illegal logging and wildlife poaching in the Pambari Range have declined significantly and the park infrastructure has improved, according to the mission report.

One of India's natural treasures
‘The great efforts by the Indian authorities to support recovery of wildlife populations and improve the overall park management have brought about a positive change for one of India's natural treasures,' says Tim Badman, Director of IUCN's World Heritage Programme. ‘The Sanctuary is on a good track, but the work and funding to secure its future need to be sustained.'

The reintroduction of the one-horned rhino is underway and funding is secure until the end of the year. But the monitoring mission found out that the swamp deer population will not recover unless a swamp deer restoration programme is in place. A tourism management plan developed with local communities should address the high expectations for ecotourim as an alternative livelihood.

Indian authorities have repeatedly requested that the site is removed from the Danger List and its reputation as one of India's richest wildlife areas reinstated. The rapid decline in wildlife and the eradication of the rhino during a decade-long insurgency, led to the inscription of the site on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992.

BACK WHERE IT BELONGS: The one-horned  rhino has been introduced back to Manas after poaching wiped them out

Rhinos, tigers and elephants making a comeback
‘While the focus of media and public attention is usually on the new sites to be added to the World Heritage List, the protection of sites already on the list plays an equally important role in ensuring the future of our world heritage,' says Peter Shadie, deputy head of IUCN Delegation. ‘The List of World Heritage in Danger is a practical way of providing support to the sites that need it the most.'

Deputy director of Manas National Park, Mr Bhobora said: ‘The population of a number of major species in Manas has seen a comeback, particularly tigers, rhinos and elephants. Besides the flagship species, Manas is also home to some of the endemic wildlife like hispid hare, pygmy hog etc and to many rare or threatened animals including clouded leopards and Bengal florican.

‘The protection of the park has been reinforced, with better-equipped and trained frontline staff and with active support of locals, the infrastructure is better, the management has improved, there is cross-border cooperation in its protection.'

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