Since our biodiversity is fashioned by an astonishing multifaceted network of varieties of life, its conservation efforts are hence complex and can be treated as collective problem. Since 1872, there has been establishments of national park, wildlife sanctuaries and many other protected which has some limitations such as displacement of indigenous people from its indigenous land. Many conflicts have risen since then when indigenous people started to fight for their rights and land. However, community based conservation is playing a massive role in North East India.
The World Parks Congress and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recognised the rights of indigenous people and their rights to protected areas in 1975. The rights of indigenous people increased as a result of additional policy reforms. Community-based conservation came into action from these changes. Community based conservation is a collaborative effort that involves local communities to protect wildlife and its biodiversity.
However, such practices is not a new thing for India. For example, Indian communities like Bishnoi, Maldhari, Mumbai Adivasi, and people of Sundarbans have been protecting their forest and wildlife for years though their cultural and religious beliefs. Such practices are also prevalent in the states of North-Eastern India and this article will focus on the community-based conservation in Northeast India.
Biodiversity in North-East India
North-eastern India is a region of rich biodiversity comprising of seven states: Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, and Sikkim. The region occupies 7.7% of India’s total geographical area supporting 50% of the flora (8000 species) of which 31.58% (2526 species) is endemic. The region supports rich biodiversity spanning from tropical rainforests to alpine scrubs and has rich bio-cultural diversity.
Community based Conservation in North East (NE) India
The intrinsic relationship between indigenous people of NE India and its forest is deeply rooted to its culture and religion. The primary stakeholders involves the people living in rural areas as they have lived in the biodiversity-rich areas for centuries. Over time, their traditional knowledge and their usage of biodiversity have enlarged from generation to generation.
In North East India, community-based conservation has a long tradition, and the local population participates in natural resource preservation as a whole. The tremendous biological variety in NE India is a result of the region’s rugged topography and abundant rainfall. Traditional rules that govern the management of village land and water resources have developed over time, and these traditional laws serve as the region’s main framework for the conservation of natural resources. Community based conservation in NE India is exemplified by the sacred forests or groves based on religious beliefs, and in the form of village forest reserves.
NGOs, government groups, and community-based organisations have all started community-based conservation programmes in North East India. Local people are actively involved in these efforts’ conservation and maintenance of the environment. One prominent example is how they were very involved in conserving hornbills across the region. The communities are urged to take control of the resources, and they are given the support and training they need to become competent managers.
Prominent Examples of Community Based Conservation
In 2018 India Biodiversity Awards, northeast Indian community-led conservation initiatives received special attention. For their efforts in the conservation of wild animals, the community reserves operated by the Lemsachenlok Organization in Nagaland and the Singchung Bugun Village Community Reserve Management Committee in Arunachal Pradesh have received recognition.
Assam
The Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam is another effective example of community-based conservation in North East India. Elephants, leopards, and a variety of bird species are among the animals that call the sanctuary home. The sanctuary was under a great deal of strain from different forms of development, like as encroachment, logging, and poaching. With the help of the local people and the forest department, a community-based conservation effort was started there in 2016.
The management and conservation of the sanctuary were handled by the local people as part of this effort. They received instruction and assistance in order to hone their talents in observing wildlife, restoring habitats, and ecotourism. Also, the villages were tasked with keeping watch over the sanctuary to deter poaching and other illicit activity. The programme has been a huge success, with the participation of neighbourhood groups contributing to a major improvement in the sanctuary’s management and conservation. The quantity of unlawful operations has decreased, and the wildlife’s habitat has been rebuilt. The programme has also sparked the growth of ecotourism in the region, giving the local populations alternatives to traditional sources of income.
Nagaland
Khonoma Natural Conservancy and Tragopan Sanctuary in Nagaland is another great example of community-based conservation in North East India. The severely endangered bird species Blyth’s tragopan calls the sanctuary home. The tragopan population was declining due to threats to the sanctuary posed by habitat degradation and hunting. As a result, the Khonoma community in the area started a conservation initiative. The locals made the decision to outlaw logging and hunting in the region and establish a tragopan sanctuary under their management. The campaign was successful, and there has been a large rise in the tragopan population in recent years.
Initiatives for community-based conservation in North East India have demonstrated that local community support is necessary for conservation efforts to succeed. For the area to develop sustainably, local communities must be involved in the protection and management of natural resources. These programmes offer local communities alternate sources of income in addition to aiding in the preservation of natural resources. Hence, community-based conservation is a strategy that benefits both development and conservation.
Conclusion
In North East India, community-based conservation programmes have put equal emphasis on preserving local communities’ access to natural resources as they have on protecting species and their ecosystems. For instance, to lessen the strain on natural resources while still maintaining local populations’ food security, community-based conservation projects have encouraged sustainable agriculture practises including organic farming and agroforestry.
In conclusion, community-based conservation projects have shown to be an effective strategy for safeguarding and conserving North East India’s natural resources. With these programmes, local communities have actively participated in the management and conservation of natural resources, which has significantly improved the preservation of species and their habitats. The strategy has assisted in both the preservation of the area’s cultural legacy and the provision of local populations with alternate means of subsistence. For the sustainable development of North East India, it is imperative to keep supporting and promoting community-based conservation projects.
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Submitted by: Khumukcham Shynyan