Concerns Rise Over Illegal Occupation in Manas National Park

The Manas National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, faces serious threats from illegal land occupation that has persisted for years. Despite repeated appeals from the National Tiger Conservation Authority to the Assam government and Bodoaland authorities, the situation remains unresolved. The encroachment affects critical habitats, including that of the endangered Bengal florican. Recent communications highlight the urgent need for intervention to restore the land to the park authorities for effective management and ecological restoration. The ongoing occupation is detrimental to the park's ecological integrity, raising alarms among conservationists and authorities alike.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 13, 2026, 13:04 IST

Illegal Occupation in Manas National Park

A file image of Manas National Park (Photo: X)

Guwahati, Sept 13: A significant portion of the core area of Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been illegally occupied for several years. This situation persists despite numerous communications from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) directed at both the Assam government and the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) authorities.

Recent documents reveal that the issue remains unresolved, raising critical concerns regarding the protection and management of the park's core area.

According to an official statement from the Forest department, requests have been made to the BTR government to transfer the land to the Forest department as recently as May 26, 2023, and January 13, 2022. However, the Council government has yet to make a decision, leading to unnecessary legal disputes.

In a recent communication dated July 30, 2026, addressed to Assam's Chief Secretary Dr. Ravi Kota, the NTCA reiterated the encroachment issue affecting an area of 3,558.32 bighas, previously part of the Kokilabari Seed Farm in the Bhuyanpara Range of the Manas Tiger Reserve.

The letter emphasized that the NTCA had previously reached out regarding this matter on June 11, 2026, and again on June 4, 2026, but no updates on progress have been provided.

Furthermore, the NTCA urged the Chief Secretary to take action to expedite the transfer of the encroached land back to the Manas Tiger Reserve authorities for better protection, management, and ecological restoration.

It was highlighted that this land is crucial to the core area of the Manas Tiger Reserve, and its ongoing occupation is detrimental to the ecological integrity and management of this vital protected area.

The NTCA has requested the Chief Secretary's direct involvement to ensure a swift resolution to this pressing issue.

The encroached Kokilabari Seed Farm spans 9.3 square kilometers and is part of the critical habitat for the Bengal florican, a critically endangered bird species.

This area was supposed to be returned to the Manas Tiger Reserve authorities following the end of a lease agreement in 2001, which has not occurred. Currently, the BTR Government is leasing the land for agricultural activities.

The IUCN World Heritage Outlook 4 (2025) report has expressed serious concerns regarding the encroachment, categorizing the Manas National Park under 'significant concern' due to ongoing threats such as habitat encroachment, illegal farming, and infrastructure development.

Key issues identified by the IUCN regarding land and habitat in Manas National Park include illegal cultivation and settlement encroachments in the Bhuyanpara and Panbari ranges, which have resulted in habitat degradation, as noted in previous assessments.