In an effort to combat human-elephant conflict (HEC) and restore vital habitats for wildlife, the biodiversity conservation organization Aaranyak, with the support of the SBI Foundation (SBIF) and in collaboration with the Dhansiri Sikaridanga Joint Forest Management Committee (JFMC), has launched a groundbreaking initiative in Udalguri district, Assam.
This project aims to restore degraded elephant habitats by cultivating native plant species, ensuring a sustainable ecosystem for both wild elephants and local communities. A key aspect of this initiative is a community-driven nursery, which plays a crucial role in habitat restoration and providing economic opportunities to local villagers.
Human-Elephant Conflict and Habitat Restoration
The increasing human-elephant conflict in Assam has been a major environmental challenge. Rapid deforestation, agricultural expansion, and human settlements have led to habitat loss for elephants, forcing them to enter human-populated areas in search of food. This often results in crop damage, property destruction, and even human casualties.
To address this issue, Aaranyak and Dhansiri Sikaridanga JFMC have developed a co-managed nursery spread over 0.89 hectares. The nursery serves as a source of native tree saplings that will be used for habitat restoration. By regenerating forests and promoting biodiversity, this initiative helps create sustainable environments for elephants and other wildlife, ultimately reducing conflicts between humans and elephants.
The Role of the Nursery in Conservation
The nursery in Udalguri is a cornerstone of this conservation effort, focusing on the cultivation of native plant species of Assam. Over the past two years, it has successfully raised 27,55,000 saplings from 17 native plant species, which will be planted across designated restoration sites to revitalize degraded habitats.
Dr. Alolika Sinha, Senior Manager and Conservation Biologist at Aaranyak’s Elephant Research and Conservation Division (ERCD), emphasized the importance of native plant species in restoring ecological balance. “We are also exploring the introduction of more native species to further boost our efforts,” she stated.
Key Features of the Nursery:
- Focuses on native plant species to support elephant habitats
- Cultivates over 27 lakh saplings for restoration efforts
- Strengthens biodiversity and prevents soil erosion
- Supports sustainable environmental practices
Community Involvement in Habitat Restoration
One of the most major aspects of this project is local community participation. The nursery is community-driven, with local villagers playing an active role in both seed collection and sapling cultivation. Seeds are sourced through local contributions, including schoolchildren and nearby villagers, ensuring widespread participation in conservation efforts.
Conservationist Rabiya Daimari from Aaranyak emphasized the importance of engaging local communities, stating that their involvement ensures long-term sustainability. The project not only restores elephant habitats but also provides economic benefits to marginalized farmers and landless households.
Employment Opportunities for Local Communities
- 20 households participate seasonally during peak operations
- 4 households work year-round in nursery maintenance
- Job creation for marginalized farmers and landless families
- Economic incentives encourage community-led conservation
By integrating conservation with livelihood opportunities, the project creates a win-win situation for both people and wildlife.
The success of this habitat restoration initiative highlights the potential for community-led conservation models in Assam and beyond. By fostering cooperation between conservation organizations, government bodies, and local communities, the project ensures long-term sustainability and mitigation of human-elephant conflict.
Aaranyak, in collaboration with SBIF and JFMC, aims to expand the initiative by:
- Increasing the variety of native plant species grown in the nursery
- Scaling up restoration sites in degraded forest areas
- Strengthening community engagement for wider participation
- Enhancing conservation education in local schools and villages
The community-driven nursery in Udalguri district stands as a model for biodiversity conservation and habitat restoration in Assam. By integrating scientific conservation methods with local community participation, the project addresses both human-elephant conflict and livelihood challenges.
With the continued support of organizations like Aaranyak, SBI Foundation, and Dhansiri Sikaridanga JFMC, this initiative paves the way for sustainable conservation efforts, ensuring a harmonious coexistence between humans and elephants in Assam’s forests.
 and restore vital habitats for wildlife, the biodiversity conservation organization Aaranyak, with the support of the SBI Foundation (SBIF) and in collaboration with the Dhansiri Sikaridanga Joint Forest Management Committee (JFMC), has launched a groundbreaking initiative in Udalguri district, Assam.This project aims to restore degraded elephant habitats by cultivating native plant species, ensuring a sustainable ecosystem for both wild elephants and local communities. A key aspect of this initiative is a community-driven nursery, which plays a crucial role in habitat restoration and providing economic opportunities to local villagers.Human-Elephant Conflict and Habitat RestorationThe increasing human-elephant conflict in Assam has been a significant environmental challenge. Rapid deforestation, agricultural expansion, and human settlements have led to habitat loss for elephants, forcing them to enter human-populated areas in search of food. This often results in crop damage, property destruction, and even human casualties.To address this issue, Aaranyak and Dhansiri Sikaridanga JFMC have developed a co-managed nursery spread over 0.89 hectares. The nursery serves as a source of native tree saplings that will be used for habitat restoration. By regenerating forests and promoting biodiversity, this initiative helps create sustainable environments for elephants and other wildlife, ultimately reducing conflicts between humans and elephants.The Role of the Nursery in ConservationThe nursery in Udalguri is a cornerstone of this conservation effort, focusing on the cultivation of native plant species of Assam. Over the past two years, it has successfully raised 27,55,000 saplings from 17 native plant species, which will be planted across designated restoration sites to revitalize degraded habitats.Dr. Alolika Sinha, Senior Manager and Conservation Biologist at Aaranyak’s Elephant Research and Conservation Division (ERCD), emphasized the importance of native plant species in restoring ecological balance. “We are also exploring the introduction of more native species to further boost our efforts,” she stated.Key Features of the Nursery:Focuses on native plant species to support elephant habitatsCultivates over 27 lakh saplings for restoration effortsStrengthens biodiversity and prevents soil erosionSupports sustainable environmental practicesCommunity Involvement in Habitat RestorationOne of the most significant aspects of this project is local community participation. The nursery is community-driven, with local villagers playing an active role in both seed collection and sapling cultivation. Seeds are sourced through local contributions, including schoolchildren and nearby villagers, ensuring widespread participation in conservation efforts.Conservationist Rabiya Daimari from Aaranyak emphasized the importance of engaging local communities, stating that their involvement ensures long-term sustainability. The project not only restores elephant habitats but also provides economic benefits to marginalized farmers and landless households.Employment Opportunities for Local Communities20 households participate seasonally during peak operations4 households work year-round in nursery maintenanceJob creation for marginalized farmers and landless familiesEconomic incentives encourage community-led conservationBy integrating conservation with livelihood opportunities, the project creates a win-win situation for both people and wildlife.Future Prospects and SustainabilityThe success of this habitat restoration initiative highlights the potential for community-led conservation models in Assam and beyond. By fostering cooperation between conservation organizations, government bodies, and local communities, the project ensures long-term sustainability and mitigation of human-elephant conflict.Aaranyak, in collaboration with SBIF and JFMC, aims to expand the initiative by:Increasing the variety of native plant species grown in the nurseryScaling up restoration sites in degraded forest areasStrengthening community engagement for wider participationEnhancing conservation education in local schools and villagesConclusionThe community-driven nursery in Udalguri district stands as a model for biodiversity conservation and habitat restoration in Assam. By integrating scientific conservation methods with local community participation, the project addresses both human-elephant conflict and livelihood challenges.With the continued support of organizations like Aaranyak, SBI Foundation, and Dhansiri Sikaridanga JFMC, this initiative paves the way for sustainable conservation efforts, ensuring a harmonious coexistence between humans and elephants in Assam’s forests.){kind=link}