Staff Reporter, Bajali: Biodiversity conservation group Aaranyak organized a key consultation with village representatives from the fringes of Manas National Park to discuss natural resource management and community-led conservation strategies. Held at the Manas Conservation and Outreach Centre, the event drew participation from six project villages and ten volunteers. Discussions focused on addressing local challenges such as water scarcity caused by the drying up of traditional Dongs, and frequent crop damage due to human-wildlife conflict. Villagers shared their experiences from earlier conflict mitigation projects supported by Aaranyak, where protective fencing significantly boosted winter crop yields. Encouraged by the results, more villagers expressed interest in implementing similar techniques next season. Livestock predation, especially by tigers and leopards, also emerged as a pressing concern. In response, Aaranyak proposed a pilot project for predator-proof livestock enclosures, which participants welcomed. Names of interested participants will be finalized by May-end, with installations planned for August after artisan training. Participants also reviewed upcoming awareness and education programmes and agreed to hold them before June 15, ahead of the paddy season. The programmes will be implemented in collaboration with local group Gami Afad. The event concluded with a briefing on village-level resource mapping, which will guide future natural resource planning. As a token of appreciation, Aaranyak gifted cinnamomum tamala saplings to attendees. Supported by IUCN-KfW, the initiative highlights Aaranyak’s ongoing commitment to empowering indigenous communities through sustainable and science-backed conservation.
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