Manas National Park, a famous wildlife sanctuary and tiger reserve, is located in which Indian state?

Introduction / Context:
Manas National Park is one of the most important protected areas in India and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for its rich biodiversity, including tigers, elephants and several rare species. Exam questions often ask about the location of major national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, because this knowledge links geography, environment and conservation awareness.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Manas National Park is a national park and tiger reserve. • We are asked to identify the Indian state in which it is located. • The options mention states from different parts of India.

Concept / Approach:
National parks in India are usually strongly associated with particular states and river systems. Manas is located in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas and is named after the Manas river, a tributary of the Brahmaputra. This region lies in north western Assam, near the border with Bhutan. Remembering this geographical context helps to distinguish it from parks in other states like Maharashtra or Odisha.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Manas National Park is situated along the border between India and Bhutan in the eastern Himalayan foothills. Step 2: Know that this transboundary landscape lies in Assam on the Indian side and connects to protected areas in Bhutan. Step 3: Examine the options. Odisha and Maharashtra are farther south and west, not directly along the Bhutan border. Step 4: Sikkim and West Bengal also lie in the eastern Himalayas, but they are known for other parks such as Khangchendzonga National Park and Neora Valley. Step 5: Since Manas is consistently described in geography and environment texts as being in Assam, choose Assam as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick mental association is to pair famous parks with states: Kaziranga and Manas with Assam, Corbett with Uttarakhand, Kanha and Bandhavgarh with Madhya Pradesh. When you apply this pairing method, Manas naturally fits with Assam. This cross check confirms that selecting Assam is reliable.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Odisha: Known for Simlipal National Park and Bhitarkanika, not Manas. Maharashtra: Hosts parks like Tadoba and Sanjay Gandhi, not Manas. Sikkim: Contains high altitude parks but not Manas National Park. West Bengal: Famous for Sundarbans and other sanctuaries, but Manas lies further east in Assam.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse Manas with other Himalayan or north eastern parks because many share similar riverine and forested landscapes. Another mistake is mixing up Kaziranga and Manas, both located in Assam. To avoid this, remember that Kaziranga is associated with one horned rhinoceros along the Brahmaputra plains, while Manas is a hill and foothill park along the Manas river near the Bhutan border.

Final Answer:
Manas National Park is located in the state of Assam.