Aaranyak

𓅐🦅 Engaging college girls in safeguarding vultures in Assam We have engaged 12 students from Handique Girls’ College, a prominent educational institution in Guwahati, in our vulture conservation intervention in Assam, for five months as part of their academic curriculum. We believe that engaging the student community in conservation will render sustainability to the conservation efforts and create of a pool of future conservationists. #vulture #vultureculture #vultureconservation #students #StudentsForChange #assam #conservation Handique Girl's College

Aaranyak’s senior environmental scientist Dr Partha Jyoti Das attended the ‘Workshop on Training & Research Needs Assessment’ organised jointly by the North Eastern Regional Institute of Water and Land Management #NERIWALM & National Institute of Hydrology, North Eastern Regional Centre (NIH-NERC) at National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj-North East Regional Centre (NIRD&PR-NERC), Khanapara, Guwahati. Dr Das shared his views about the need of data, technical knowledge, capacity building and skill enhancement from the experience of leading Water, Climate, and Hazards (WATCH) Division in Aaranyak. This workshop brought together more than 50 water researchers, practitioners and managers from various government agencies, academic institutions and NGOs of the NE region to discuss about their training and research needs (TAN) and to deliberate on how to provide them with the required support. The workshop was especially useful because it emphasised on solution centric discussions. Water researchers and managers expressed what kind of knowledge and resources they require to improve their quality of research and management in the water sector. Guidance for addressing the issues flagged by them were provided, wherever possible, by the expert agencies present there.

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⚡️ Workshop highlights gravity of sustainable development 🐅 Book on Tiger-community relationship launches The #KarbiCulturalSociety (KCS) and #Aaranyak jointly organised a discussion and awareness programme for the first time on a crucial topic deeply rooted to #Karbi culture and tradition in Diphu, #KarbiAnglong. The event themed “Natural Resources and Green Livelihoods – A Conversation for Sustainable Development in Karbi Anglong.” was organised during the 51st #KarbiYouthFestival. The event was held at Rangsina Sarpo Achatai, Karbi Peoples Hall, Taralangso, #Diphu, with 38 participants from different parts of the district. The objective was to understand public perspectives on #NaturalResources and current management practices, incorporating #TraditionalKnowledge and cultural practices. A #book release session followed, featuring the launch of 'Teke Lapen Monit', translated from Assamese into Karbi with facts about #tigers and their relationship with us. The event was made possible through the efforts of Aaranyak team members and local volunteers from Diphu. Know more: https://lnkd.in/dvDtvZ8b . . . IUCN KfW U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) UNSDG WORLD

⛑️🐘 The first day of our First Aid Training Workshop is undergoing in Borogobol of #WestGaroHills District in #Meghalaya in collaboration with the Civil Defence and #SDRF, Meghalaya. With this workshop we aim to build capacity of the local communities to improve safety and save lives of human-elephant conflict affected community people. Around 35 women, and 30 men from the indigenous #Rabha community are participating in the workshop. This is a joint effort of #Aaranyak- British Asian Trust, with support from #DarwinInitiative to promote human-elephant #coexistence by empowering the community. British Asian Trust Biodiversity Challenge Funds Elephant Family Alolika Sinha

🌳🌿🦅 Nature walk explores Garbhanga's biodiversity Twenty-seven enthusiastic youths participated in a vibrant #NatureWalk held at the Garbhanga Reserve Forest in Kamrup Metropolitan District of #Assam recently. We have organised this nature walk under our #WeForNature programme in association with Kamrup East Division of Assam Forest Department and the Eco Club of #GirijanandaChowdhuryUniversity. The event was supported by #ZeissIndia. Garbhanga Reserve Forest is a vital component of the #UrbanBiodiversity of #KamrupMetro District. It is reported to harbour over 300 #plant species, 36 #mammals, 219 #birds, 53 #amphibians and #reptiles, 168 #butterflies, and 15 #spiders. The #conservation and #SustainableManagement of Garbhanga Reserve Forest are crucial for maintaining ecological balance and supporting urban wildlife. Engaging youth in activities that highlight the importance of such #forests is crucial in present day context. Through the WeForNature programme, we are dedicated to foster a sense of belonging and connection among young people, particularly. During the event, participants were introduced to various #ecosystems, #atmospheres, #habitats, and #wildlife inside the forest and received guidance on basic nature observation and documentation. The event organised on February 22 was led by wildlife biologist and birder Dr Nilotpal Mahanta, plant ecology expert and Aaranyak member Mitali Baruah, wildlife photographer and cinematographer Chinmoy Swargiary from Aaranyak, wildlife biologist Pitom Jyoti Gore from Aaranyak, and Ph.D. scholar Manas Pratim Rajbongshi. The event, coordinated by Pranab Goswami from Aaranyak and Faruk Ahmed from Girijananda Chowdhury University, was attended by a few officials from Kamrup East Division. ZEISS India

Aaranyak through a collaborative approach conducted a comprehensive perception study with interns of Tata Institute of Social Sciences #TISS, Guwahati to examine the complex relationship between local communities and #PobitoraWildlifeSanctuary. Funded by IUCN (CAG), the research focused on villages categorised based on their proximity to the sanctuary and the extent of human-wildlife interactions on those bordering the sanctuary, those residing at a distance, and those experiencing moderate interactions. This nuanced approach provided valuable insights into how wildlife impacts #livelihoods, #agricultural practices, and the overall well-being of villagers. The study also explored the role of communities in fostering #coexistence, their attitudes toward conservation efforts, potential human-wildlife conflicts, and local knowledge of the sanctuary’s #ecosystem. By capturing diverse perspectives, the study carried out by interns -- Achyut Narayan, Mazida Ahmed, Tahnin Tanisha Rahman from TISS, Guwahati and Arjun Mishra provided crucial data for shaping conservation strategies that balance ecological priorities with the needs of local populations. The findings, will contribute to the development of community relationship framework toward conservation of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary. This study was conducted under supervision of Senior Manager in Rhino Research and Conservation Division (RRCD) Dr. Deba Dutta, and Researchers in RRCD Ujjal Bayan and Kakali Baishya. IUCN IUCN Asia #iucnsos

Drawing coexistence 🎨 Students aged 10+ got creative, bringing human-elephant coexistence to life through their art. 🐘Aaranyak What does coexistence look like to you? Let us know in the comments! 👇

Aaranyak with support from the SBI Foundation conducted a training for cultivation of #AlternativeCrops in Nepaligaon, #Udalguri, to help #farmers offset the losses they incur due to crop foraging by #elephants. Most villagers in Nepaligaon depend on #farming for their #livelihood, but losses a significant portion of #crops to elephants that affects their livelihood as well as #food and #nutrition security. To address this issue, we conducted training sessions for farmers aimed at encouraging the cultivation of alternative crops that are generally not favoured by elephants, such as #ginger, #turmeric, #AssamLemon and rapeseed. Aaranyak's Dipankar Haloi, an agriculturist with specialisation in plant pathology, offered the farmers insights into efficient cultivation techniques and simple approaches to protect their crops. He focused on "Package of Practices" for each crop, emphasising Integrated Nutrient Management and Integrated Pest & Disease Management to ensure sustainable and profitable farming. The farmers actively engaged, asking insightful questions about crop care and productivity enhancement. . A significant part of the discussion focused on the preparation and use of natural farming inputs like #Panchagavya, #Neemastra, and #Beejamrut—traditional organic formulations that enhance soil fertility and crop health. Additionally, Mr. Haloi also introduced them to various government schemes that offer financial and technical support, ensuring they can maximise their benefits. A total of 53 villagers attended the session, showing keen interest in these solutions. By switching to alternative crops, farmers can protect their fields, reduce human-elephant conflict, and ensure a stable income. This initiative not only promotes peaceful coexistence between humans and elephants but also strengthens the livelihoods of local communities. Aaranyak’s team, including Mondeep Basumatary, Abhilasha Boruah, and Bikash Tossa facilitated the event.

Aaranyak's senior conservationist, Dr Purnima Barman is named on TIME's 2025 Women of the Year list for her contribution in #conservation. Congratulations to Dr. Barman. Read : https://lnkd.in/dzNV9thi