new national park in India extends protections for Greater Manas Landscape

Conservationists are celebrating the declaration of Raimona National Park (RNP) in India, extending key habitat for some of the world’s most endangered wildlife in the Greater Manas Landscape.

The Greater Manas Landscape includes Manas National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and is home to species such as golden langurs, Asian elephants, wild buffalo and Indian greater one-horned rhinos. The addition of Raimona National Park expands the park by 400 square kilometers with 11 forest types and subtypes.

A monumental moment for conservation in India

“The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) through its partnership with the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has worked consistently for over a decade to ensure the restoration of the Greater Manas Landscape,” said Azzedine Downes, President & CEO of IFAW. 

“In a time of drastic climate change, Raimona National Park is a key biodiversity hotspot including some of the world’s most unique wildlife; 150 species of butterflies, 170 species of birds and 380 species of plants are recorded in the area.”

“After the notification of 350 square kilometers as the First Addition to Manas in 2016, the notification of Raimona National Park now is of huge conservation significance, strengthening the Greater Manas Landscape,” said Vivek Menon, Founder and Executive Director of WTI and Senior Advisor to IFAW. 

"The addition of more than 700 square kilometers to India’s Protected Area Network is due to a proactive leadership in the Bodoland Territorial Region actively supported by the Assam state government and the combined efforts of the community, NGOs, and 15 years of consistent conservation action through IFAW-WTI’s work in the Bringing Back Manas project,” said Menon.

RNP runs contiguous to two protected areas in Bhutan. At some point, India and Bhutan might consider the possibility of the declaration of a Transboundary Peace Park.