Encroachment Threatens Conservation Efforts in Manas National Park

Concerns are growing over large-scale encroachment in Manas National Park, despite repeated warnings from the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Official records show that around 36.79 sq km of protected forest land remains under illegal occupation, leading to habitat degradation in key wildlife areas. The IUCN’s 2025 report placed Manas under “significant concern,” citing encroachment, illegal cultivation, and infrastructure-related threats. Forest authorities have urged the government to reclaim encroached land and strengthen conservation measures to protect the World Heritage Site.