The legend of Manas- Indian One-horned Rhinos

[Samrat Sarkar]

The process of translocation of Rhinos in Manas started on 2006. Translocation is a process of relocating Rhinos from one place of a forest to another place or to some other forest which is suitable for their living. In this method a total eighteen number of Rhinos have been relocated so far from Kaziranga and Pobitora National Park to Manas National Park. Starting almost from zero the number of Rhinos in Manas at present is forty eight including those two male rhinos of the Bansbari Range. The WWF has made a commendable effort in this translocating process. We must also mention the great contribution of our forest officials making in this matter. The translocation of the Rhinos is really a time taking and complicated process. It is especially very difficult to succeed in collecting orphan Rhino cubs or collecting cubs from flooded areas and raising and looking after them properly until they become fully grown-ups and then translocating them. In many Parks around the world such type of translocation efforts have not borne any fruit. But Manas has done that and the world knows it. But there are miles to go still now. The present day Manas can be the home to at least 100 Rhinos. And, of course, if and only if we really want that to happen.

We are now worried about the geographic and climatic changes of the Manas National Park. The main reason of this is certainly the endless greed and recklessness of the humankind. A huge number of River Dams are proposed to be constructed with an intention to produce hydroelectric power. You will be frightened to see the list:-

1. Kuri chhu of Mongar district. (Chhu means river in Djonkha Language). The Dam became operational in 2001. Height 55 mtrs. Production capacity 60 MW. Kuri chhu has merged with Manas river at it right hand side


2. Mangde chhu Dam of Trongsa district has become operational recently. Production capacity 720 MW. Height 101.50 mtrs. Mangde chhu has merged with Manas river at it right hand side


3. Kulong chhu Dam. Construction work has started in 2014. The project is expected to complete very soon height 95 mtrs. Production capacity 600 MW. Kulong chhu has merged with Manas river at it right hand side


The list does not end here. The proposed plan of the Bhutan government in the next five years are like this:-

1. Chamkhar chhu Dam. It is a plan for joint construction of two large Dams having production capacities of 1397 MW and of 857 MW respectively. Height 108 mtrs.

2. Kuri Gongri Dam. Production capacity 2640 MW. Height 250 mtrs.

In 2004 there was a terrible flood in Manas only due to the excessive water released from the Kuri Chhu Dam. Since then the topography of Manas has undergone many unwanted changes. The river has shifted towards the Banshbari Range by about four kilometres. In the near future during a full rainy season, if water from all the river dams are released simultaneously it is easily predictable that it will just wreak havoc in the Manas region and what will happen to the lives of these Rhinos can be easily imagined. The different names of the rivers are actually names of the same river at different locations. All the rivers have originated in the Bhutan Hill and have flown through the Manas Biosphere Reserve. All these rivers together have given rise to a river system. Restricting the natural flow of water of any one of the river of this river system at upstream will certainly have an adverse effect on the river downstream basins in the plains. This river system is the lifeline of the Manas and is the key factor of the ecosystem of the flora and fauna of Manas. The grassland of Manas which nourishes and feed the Rhinos can be washed away at any moment. Due to the construction of dams the rivers may change the course their route very fast. The erosion of banks of the rivers are by itself a matter of great concern. The construction of river dams will greatly increase the chances of this erosion of river banks. Once this happens, what will remain in Manas for these poor creatures that will save them from being extinct! If every year the fringe villages of the forest start being inundated what will happen to the villagers! In that case it will not be surprising that the some helpless, desperate villagers will then resort to their old habit of poaching the Rhinos to make a living. What will be the consequences then?

River bank erosion of Manas