Guwahati, Sept. 2 -- Officials at Assam's Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve have reported a nearly 50% decline in grassland cover over the past three decades, raising alarm over the future of the park's delicate ecosystem.

Field Director C. Ramesh explained that while the natural transition from grassland to woodland typically takes over a century, this process has accelerated dramatically within the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

He attributed the rapid shift to a mix of natural and human-driven causes, including climate change. As a result, herbivores have begun clustering in the few remaining grassy areas.

"We're observing a fast decline in grasslands, while woodland areas are expanding. Though this is part of ecological succession...