Two mahouts from Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve in Assam have received international recognition as “Master Mahouts”, qualifying them to train elephant handlers in other countries.

More About the News

• The recognition came after a seven-day comprehensive training programme organised at Bansbari by the Field Directorate of Manas Tiger Reserve in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India. 
• Twenty-seven staff members participated in the programme, which focused on elephant handling, health, welfare and scientific management.

What Does “Master Mahout” Mean?

• A mahout is a person trained to handle and care for elephants. 
• The role requires practical knowledge of elephant behaviour, feeding, health, movement and safe handling.
• The new recognition is important because it converts the traditional experience of mahouts into structured and transferable professional knowledge.
• The two recognised mahouts, Ramanuj Barla and Md. Alam Ali, received specialised training in animal cognition and positive reinforcement techniques for captive-born elephants. 
  • They are now qualified to train mahouts internationally.

Why Is Mahout Training Important?

Elephant welfare depends greatly on the quality of interaction between elephants and their handlers.

• Scientific training can help handlers understand elephant behaviour and reduce stress and avoidable injuries.

• Positive reinforcement encourages desired behaviour through appropriate rewards rather than relying primarily on fear, pain or punishment.

• Continuous training can improve elephant health, safety and welfare, while also reducing risks to handlers.

• Experienced mahouts carry valuable traditional ecological and animal-handling knowledge, which can be strengthened when combined with modern veterinary science and animal behaviour research.

About Manas National Park

• • Manas National Park is located in Baksa and Chirang districts of Assam along the foothills of the Himalayas.
  • It shares an international boundary with Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan, forming an important transboundary conservation landscape.

• Park Ranges:

• • Panbari Range (Western)
  • Bansbari Range (Central)
  • Bhuyanpara Range (Eastern)
  • Kuklung Range (1st Addition)

Major River System

• Named after the Manas River, a major tributary of the Brahmaputra.
• Important rivers include Manas, Beki, Aie, Pagladia, Hakua, Bigoni and Mora Manas.
• Represents the Bhabar–Terai ecosystem, consisting of grasslands, riverine forests and moist deciduous forests.

Important Timeline

• • Wildlife Sanctuary: 1928
  • Project Tiger Reserve: 1973 (among the first tiger reserves in India)
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site: 1985
  • National Park Status: 1990
  • Elephant Reserve: 2003, part of the Chirang–Ripu Elephant Reserve

• Biosphere Reserve: 1989

• • Manas Biosphere Reserve extends over an area of 2837 km2 from Sankosh river in the west to Dhansiri river in the east, with a core area of 500 km2 of the National park.
• Recognised as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA).

Major Fauna

• Manas is famous for housing several rare and endangered species:
• Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Elephant, Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros, Wild Water Buffalo, Swamp Deer, Golden Langur (endemic), Pygmy Hog (world’s rarest wild pig), Hispid Hare & Bengal Florican (critically endangered bird)

Special Significance

• It is part of the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot.
• It contains the world’s largest population of Bengal Florican.
• It is one of the last strongholds of the Pygmy Hog and Golden Langur.
• The park was placed on UNESCO’s “World Heritage in Danger” List in 1992 due to insurgency and poaching, but was removed in 2011 after successful conservation efforts.

Exam Hook: Key Takeaway

The recognition of Manas mahouts demonstrates how traditional knowledge, scientific training and animal-welfare principles can come together to strengthen wildlife conservation.

Prelims Practice Question

Q. With reference to the recent ‘Master Mahout’ recognition associated with Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve, consider the following statements:

1. The recognition is related to specialised training in elephant care, handling and welfare.
2. Project Elephant was launched in 1992 to support elephant conservation and address human-elephant conflict.
3. Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve is located entirely in the state of Odisha.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A. 1 and 2 only

Explanation: The ‘Master Mahout’ recognition relates to specialised elephant handling, management and welfare training. Project Elephant was launched in 1992 for elephant conservation, habitat and corridor protection and addressing human-elephant conflict. Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve is in Assam, not Odisha.

One-line wrap: Manas is showing that protecting elephants also means empowering the people who understand, care for and work with them every day.