Assam's Manas National Park launches cycle safaris for tourists
10-February-2021

Manas National Park in Assam has become the country�s first to introduce cycle safaris for tourists. Reportedly, during the first phase, 12 cycles will be made available for tourists, who will be able to enjoy a trip around the periphery of the deep forests and explore the off-beaten tracks.

Referring to this, Park Conservator Amal Sharma said that this initiative is an attempt to draw more and more tourists into the region after the pandemic-induced lockdown. Reportedly, the park once used to have night safaris, which were later stopped after the Supreme Court ruled against it.

Manas National Park, a UNESCO heritage park, is also a tiger reserve that is spread across an area of more than 2837 sq km. The park opened for tourists on October 2, 2020, after remaining closed since March 17, 2020, to prevent the spread of COVID.

Revealing more about the statistic, Ranger of Bansbari Range in Manas Alakesh Das said that locals, who specifically fall under Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), have been critical in saving Manas. He added that since popular tourist hotspots, such as Shillong and Bhutan, remained shut for tourists due to pandemic, people were keen to explore nearby places. The crowd visiting the spot grew so much that in January authorities had to restrict vehicles to 175, he added.

Further, Dharani Dhar Boro, Officer on Special Duty, Manas Tiger Reserve said that in a way, 2020 has been a lucky year for Manas and its conservation efforts. Manas has also been conferred the Global Conservation Excellence Award by the Global Tiger Forum, which was jointly conferred upon the Manas and the Royal Manas of Bhutan. He added that Manas managed to bag the award as the tiger population here increased three times in a year, whereas as per the norms, it needs to be just a double.