Staff Reporter, Guwahati: Aaranyak, in collaboration with SBI Foundation and the Dhansiri-Sikaridanga Joint Forest Management Committee (JFMC), has resumed plantation activities at the Bhairabkunda Reserve Forest in Assam’s Udalguri district. The initiative, now in its third year, aims to restore 100 hectares of degraded forest and reduce human-elephant conflict (HEC) by improving ecological connectivity for elephants. The latest drive began on May 14, with active participation from forest officials of Dhansiri Forest Division, FXB India Suraksha, the Bhairabkunda Development Committee, and JFMC members. On the first day alone, 510 saplings of 11 native species were planted. “This summer, our goal is to plant one lakh saplings,” said Rabiya Daimari of Aaranyak. Key species include Outenga, Bel, Amla, Jamun, and Bhomora, known for their ecological benefits and suitability to the local environment. Launched two years ago, the project is designed to create long-term solutions for human-wildlife coexistence by enhancing elephant habitats and facilitating safer movement corridors. “We’re working to restore degraded lands and protect watersheds for the region,” said Dr. Bibhuti Prasad Lahkar, senior conservation scientist at Aaranyak. HEC remains a serious concern in Assam, often leading to damage, injuries, and even fatalities on both sides. Aaranyak’s multi-stakeholder approach seeks to reduce conflict by engaging local communities and implementing research-based habitat solutions. The initiative underscores the importance of landscape-level conservation to safeguard both people and wildlife in Assam’s biodiversity-rich regions.
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