EnvironmentSaturday, 11 July 2026·The Hindu - National
Manas Tiger Reserve loses 43.59% grassland cover due to invasive plants and habitat change
Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam lost 43.59% of its grassland cover between 1990 and 2019, with 14 invasive plant species cited as a major factor.
Key highlights
Direct fact
By 2019, Assam’s 2,837.31 sq. km Manas Tiger Reserve had seen its grassland cover fall from 53.61% in 1990 to 30.24%, with 14 invasive plant species identified as a major cause of habitat loss.
Key specifics
- Manas Tiger Reserve covers 2,837.31 sq. km and is one of India’s first tiger reserves.
- Grassland cover declined from 53.61% in 1990 to 30.24% in 2019.
- The relative loss in grassland cover was 43.59%, with an absolute reduction of 23.37%.
- The reserve has a core tiger habitat of 526.22 sq. km and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Encroachment of 3,709 hectares has been reported in the core area since the 1980s.
Exam lens
Question type: environment and protected-area data. TNPSC may ask about Manas Tiger Reserve, 43.59% grassland loss, UNESCO status, and the 3,709-hectare encroachment figure.