 Precisely a century ago the British Government declared Manas as a protected area and hunting and killing of wildlife was banned. In 1928, the name Manas Wildlife Sanctuary was inscribed and by 1955 Manas was approximately 391sq kms large. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary was declared as a Tiger Reserve in 1973; which was amongst the first in the country and was also declared as the World Heritage site under the N (ii) (iii) (iv) in the year 1985. In 1989, the status of “Biosphere Reserve” was also granted to Manas. In the year 1990, the center declared this region as “Manas National Park”.
No place at least in India enjoys the status of being:
1. National Park
2. World Heritage Site (ii, iii, iv)
3. Biosphere Reserve
4. Project Tiger Reserve
5. Elephant Reserve (Belongs to the larger Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve) and also regarded as a
6. World famous birding area
 In such a heavenly region during the late eighties and most of the nineties tremendous revolt and disturbance was witnessed. The Bodo community (Pronounced as “Boro”) started demanding the declaration of Bodoland – a separate state. Even during this era of Revolt, the ABSU (All Bodo Students Union) and the Chapaguri Koklabari Anchalik Committee were jointly showing interest in the conservation activities of the region. Though ABSU wasn’t necessarily involved in the destruction of Manas during this era, tremendous pressure on the ABSU volunteers and anti-movement forces compelled the youth to seek shelter in these forests. With no proper law and order situation and constant violence, the region witnessed one of its worst periods in the recent history.
 Taking advantage of such miss-managed law and order situation in the region, organized poaching groups and smugglers started venturing in to these forests looting the flora and fauna of the place. Over the period of revolt of the Bodos, severe damage was caused to the Manas bio-sphere and a lot of animals were poached by various groups. Illegal tree-felling and Timber smuggling reached greater heights and the endangered animals like the One-horned Rhinoceros almost became extinct in the park in the late 1980s. Elephant numbers started decreasing and Tiger skin trade took new dimensions all over the place. Manas was being destroyed at a fast pace. And UNESCO was quick to study the situation and then it declared Manas as a “World Heritage Site in Danger”. Manas’ situation was now a world wide issue.
 After nearly a decade and half of violence and disturbance, the center paved way for the formation of “Bodoland Territorial Council” or the BTC which now administers these areas of Assam. This formation has brought back peace to say the least and a good law and order situation in the territory. In 2003, the Chapaguri Kaklabari Anchalik Committee of the ABSU formed the Manas Maozigendri Eco-tourism Society which was also registered in the society’s registration act of 1860.
MMES employs over a 200 volunteers who are committed individuals and are determined to see the day when UNESCO releases Manas National Park from the tag of “World Heritage Site in Danger”.
Some of the activities by the MMES volunteers include:
• Educating villagers and neighbors of the park and explain the importance of conservation of Manas
• Patrol the area regularly and keep a check on poaching and protect them
• Building of roads and maintaining them inside the managed area of the park
• Render services to NGOs who need support in rehabilitation and conservation of Manas
• Capture poachers, educate and employ them as volunteers providing them salary and benefits
• Generate revenue to the park and the society by promoting Eco-tourism and providing tourism services to visitors of the park
Achievements:
At least 47 poachers around the Manas National Park surrendered to MMES their hand made guns. MMES have employed most of these ex-poachers as guards paying them monthly salaries. MMES also established the MMCA or the Conservation Area which the society is responsible for. Constructing roads and bridges in the area and maintenance of these roads for the past few years have been solely the MMMES achievements. Domestic as well as foreign tourists visit the place and eco-tourism is gaining momentum.
 MMES is eagerly looking for donations so that their enthusiasm and willingness to support conservation takes a materialistic path. Most of the times MMES is in need of funding and they depend on the tourists or contributors to help them financially. If Manas revives back to a stable state which I think is quite possible, MMES would have played a herculean role in this effort. In fact, the Maozigendri boys are an example for the youth of this country to step forward and protect Mother Nature who is most vulnerable to destruction. The Manas Maozigendri Eco-tourism society stands tall as an exemplary organization with a lot of passion and tremendous wildlife conservation values.
Manas Maozigendri Ecotourism Society,
(A society of Conservation & Tourism)
Regd: RS/BAR/237/F/55 of 2005-2006
Established in 2003
Head office: Khamardwisa – 781330
Baksa District, BTAD, Assam
India.
Phone: 03666 268052
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Cheers,
Jayanth Sharma
jay@wildlifetimes.com
Last edited by Jayanth Sharma on Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:53 pm; edited 1 time in total
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