Formation | 1989 |
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Founder | Bibhab Kumar Talukdar |
Type | Charitable trust |
Focus | Environmentalism, Conservation, Ecology |
Headquarters | Guwahati |
Location | |
Area served | Assam |
Method | Education, lobbying, research, consultancy |
CEO | Bibhab Kumar Talukdar |
Key people | Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, Dilip Chetry, Jimut Prasad Sarma, Bibhuti Prasad Lahkar, M.Firoz Ahmed, Abdul Wakid, Partha Jyoti Das, Udayan Borthakur, Jayanta Kumar Pathak, Jyoti Prasad Das |
Website | www.aaranyak.org |
Aaranyak is a leading wildlife NGO [1] based in Guwahati. [2] It was founded by Bibhab Kumar Talukdar. It is a Scientific, Industrial Research and frontline environmental organization of India. [3] [4] It works all over the eastern Himalayan region on nature conservation, natural resources management, climate change, disaster management and livelihood enhancement of marginalized communities through research, education and advocacy. [5]
The group says its mission is to foster conservation of biodiversity in Northeast India through research, environmental education, capacity building and advocacy for legal and policy reform to usher a new era of ecological security. [6] Recently, UN framework convention on climate change announced Aaranyak in partnership with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) as winner of its UN Lighthouse Activity Award 2014 for the successful implementation of the community-based flood early warning system in the Lakhimpur and Dhemaji Districts of Assam. [7]
In September 2022, Aaranyak, a leading wildlife NGO in Northeast India, completed 33 years of its existence. [8] Aaranyak which made a beginning as nature's club in a small way has transformed into a premiere scientific research and conservation organization of the country. [8] The work of organisation spans across various fields like wildlife & biodiversity conservation, on mitigation of disaster and climate risk, water governance, conservation education, legal and advocacy. [8] The organisation has contributed a lot on livelihood interventions for the marginalized communities, natural resources management, through research, education and advocacy in the last 30 years. [8] Its staff includes conservationists, ecologists and professionals from diverse disciplines totaling approximately 120 members who had been working together to foster the conservation of biodiversity. [8] Aaranyak has to its credit many research articles, reports, books, brochures and other educational materials written and published by a network of hundreds of members and volunteers. [8] Additionally the Organisation has also introduced some of the new initiatives which are worth mentioning like series of webinars and live discussion programmes titled, “Eco Talk”, “Science, Environment & Mankind: Fundamentals” and “Conservation Matters” etc. [8] In year February 2020, a major event was organized by Aaranyak in collaboration with several other organizations and institutions titled “7th Asian Primate Symposium & First International Conference on Human-Primate Interface, 2020”. [8]
The organisation had responded efficiently to the crisis unleashed by the outbreak of the COVID-19 through proactive voluntarism and raised awareness and assisted the efforts of the Central and the State Government to prevent and deal with the pandemic and also proactively regulated its organisational activities in accordance with the instructions and guidelines of GOI and GOA. [8] It had provided aid and encouraged the local communities to develop cloth facemasks and distributed the same to the staff and related members and donated a sum of Rs 1,00,000 to Assam Government to help strengthen the government initiatives to check spread of pandemic. [8]
The event to mark the 31st formation day commenced with Aaranyak flag hoisting, followed by a keynote speech by the President and the Secretary General of Aaranyak and members of the foundation observed the day with a brief programme, which was streamed live on Aaranyak's official Facebook page, due to the present COVID-19 pandemic. [8]
A joint study carried out by Aaranyak and the Assam Forest Department, has shown that Kaziranga National Park has the highest density of wild tigers in the world. [9] The report is the result of a study carried out during January–March 2009. Recently, the premier biodiversity conservation organisation had installed 18 km of solar-powered fence to facilitate human-elephant coexistence at Nagrijuli in Baksa district. [10] The initiative will ensure food security and commendable reduction in incidents relating to humans and elephants and will also benefit approx 12 villages with 35 hamlets and 15000 villagers. [10] The solar powered fence was installed after conducting extensive support from local communities and forest department and funded by Elephant Family Foundation India and covers 18 kilometers with two strands installed in two phases covering several villages around the Nagrijuli-Udalguri National Highway. [10]
Division | About the Division |
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Environment Education and Capacity Building Division | This is one of the society's long-term division continuing since its inception. Well trained educators, environmentalist of the society have been involved in conservation education for different target groups like students, youth, teachers, journalists, policy makers, community and others regarding preservation and restoration of ecological balance. In order to create awareness among the populace it has organized. |
Conservation projects (NETSCOPE) | North East Threatened Species Conservation Programme (NETSCOPE): The North East Threatened Species Conservation Programme (NETSCOPE) of Aaranyak introduces a new strategic opportunity for conservation of the threatened species unique to the North East India with diverse cultural affinity. |
Community Based Conservation Programme | Aaranyak, with a view to secure community support in the conservation of biodiversity have evolved pilot initiatives to support diversified livelihood options to strengthen the local economy. Diversified livelihood generation assistance to the community has played some encouraging role to reduce the dependency of local community upon biodiversity resources and indirectly contributing towards their conservation. The strength of Aaranyak lies in integrating research and community-based activities into a coherent programme that generates knowledge and fosters innovation at local and regional level to achieve the true meaning of sustainable development in terms of biodiversity conservation. |
Legal and Advocacy Division (LAD) | The success of any anti-poaching efforts will ultimately depend on the rate of conviction. Due to lack of orientation and poor interpretation skills of the forest staffs, the existing wildlife, forest and environment laws are either not enforced or used properly to increase the rate of conviction to the poachers and smugglers involved in the illegal trade on wildlife contraband. Aaranyak has for the first time in North East India, started the legal orientation programme for the forest officials working in the Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks in Assam in 1996. Since then, covering almost all the protected areas of Assam, Aaranyak has organised more than 12 legal orientation programmes. Advocate Gautom Uzir of Gauhati High Court is the Chief Legal Advisor of Aaranyak, he is in-charge of conducting the legal orientation camps for the benefit of forest staffs in Assam. Ajoy Kumar Das who joined Aaranyak in 2006 is the Associate Lawyer of the Legal programme |
Water Climate and Hazard (WATCH) Division | The Northeast India, consisting of the eight states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura, presents a distinctive geophysical unit set in the pristine Eastern Himalayan Region with a unique physiographic framework, a vigorous monsoon dominated climatic regime and a dynamic hydro-geomorphic regime. Endowed with a sub (extra) tropical type of monsoonal climate, the region shows remarkable variability of weather and climate on a regional scale and forms a distinct climatic zone within the Indian landmass. Consisting mainly of the basins of three of the large river systems of the world viz. the Brahmaputra, the Barak (Meghna) and the Irrawaddy, the NER possesses the richest treasure-trove of water resources in India. It possesses about 30% of the total water resources potential and about 41% of the total hydropower potential of India. The per capita and per hectare availability of water in this region is the highest in the country. The NE India is one of the wettest as well as most acutely flood prone zones of the world. |
Geo-spatial Technology Application Division | Considering all the importance of Remote Sensing and GIS in the field of biodiversity conservation and planning, the Geo-spatial Technology Application Programme (GTAP) was introduced at Aaranyak in the year, 2004. Since then the programme has been continuously managing and integrating spatial and non-spatial data that are related with mainly biodiversity characteristics of North East India. Till now the unit has prepared different thematic maps of Assam in particular and other North Eastern States as a whole. Under this initiative effort is on towards creating a complete GIS database of the protected areas of Assam and North East India. In this regard, the unit has already developed GIS database for several reserved forests, wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks of Assam. |
Wildlife Genetics Division | Aaranyak has felt the need of expanding its conservation efforts to a new horizon by using high-throughput DNA technologies in the field of wildlife research in North East India. There has always been a paucity of exploration and research on wildlife in North East India, which encompasses an important part of the Indo-Myanmar biodiversity hotspot, one of the 25 global biodiversity hotspots recognized by the international community. Molecular genetic tools provide ample opportunities for studying different aspects of population biology for species which are hard to observe directly through visual observation in the impregnable forests of North East India. |
Wildlife Health and Research Programme (WHRP) | The Wildlife Health and Research Initiative is a newly designed dedicated initiative of Aaranyak equipped with veterinary expertise to address the various health aspects of the indigenous wild fauna of North east India through veterinary intervention and research approaches. The programme is an interdisciplinary effort between health professionals, wildlife managers, ecologists and conservation professionals. It is an important component of educational and applied wildlife research and successfully integrates the disciplines of veterinary medicine and wildlife management. |
Environment Education Orientation Programme | To create a pool of Green Teachers in Assam State to give a thrust to conservation efforts, Aaranyak organised many environment education orientation programme for school teachers from fringe areas of Manas Tiger Reserve [11] |
Aaranyak sponsors vehicles to Manas National Park. [12]
Aaranyak had been awarded with many regional, national and international awards and accolades from many countries for its outstanding work and contribution to the society from many years. [8]
Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Award from MoEFCC, Govt. of India in year 2012
“Best Scientific Institution in Assam” under the category of “State Awards for Scientific Excellence, 2017” by the Science & Technology Department, Government of Assam in year 2017. [13]
organizational member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Recognised as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (SIRO) by Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology
Name of book | Language |
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Amphibians and Reptiles of Northeast India- A Photographic Guide [14] | Assamese, English |
Indian Rhinos in Protected Areas of Assam | English |
Role of Policy and Institutions in Local Adaptation to Climate Change | English |
Kaziranga National Park is a national park in the Golaghat, Sonitpur, Biswanath and Nagaon districts of the state of Assam, India. KNP has 5 ranges. The park, which hosts two-thirds of the world's Indian rhinoceroses, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to a March 2018 census conducted jointly by the Forest Department of the Government of Assam and some recognized wildlife NGOs, the rhino population in Kaziranga National Park is 2,613. It comprises 1,641 adult rhinos and 385 calves.
Orang National Park is a national park in India located on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River in the Darrang and Sonitpur districts of Assam. It covers an area of 79.28 km2 (30.61 sq mi). It was established as a sanctuary in 1985 and declared a national park on 13 April 1999. It is rich in flora and fauna, including great Indian rhinoceros, pygmy hog, Asian elephant, wild water buffalo and the Bengal tiger. It is the only stronghold of the rhinoceros on the north bank of the Brahmaputra.
The Wildlife Trust of India is an Indian nature conservation organisation under Ministry of Forest Department, Government of India.
Manas National Park is a national park, Project Tiger reserve, and an elephant reserve in Assam, India. Located in the Himalayan foothills, it borders the Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan. The park is known for its rare and endangered endemic wildlife such as the Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur and pygmy hog. It also hosts the only known population of pygmy hogs in the world. Manas is also famous for its population of the wild water buffalo. Because of its exceptional biodiversity, scenery, and variety of habitats, Manas National Park is a biosphere reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dipor Bil, also spelled Deepor Beel , is located to the south-west of Guwahati city, in Kamrup Metropolitan district of Assam, India. It is a permanent freshwater lake, in a former channel of the Brahmaputra River, to the south of the main river. In 1989, 4.1 km² of the area was declared a wildlife sanctuary by the Government of Assam. It is listed as a wetland under the Ramsar Convention which designated the lake as a Ramsar Site in November 2002 for undertaking conservation measures on the basis of its biological and environmental importance.
The biodiversity of Assam, a state in North-East India, makes it a biological hotspot with many rare and endemic plant and animal species. The greatest success in recent years has been the conservation of the Indian rhinoceros at the Kaziranga National Park, but a rapid increase in human population in Assam threatens many plants and animals and their habitats.
Kaziranga National Park in India has a good conservation history, especially due to its efficient management policies. In spite of the efficient conservation policies there are some loopholes in the conservation policies.
Assam is the main and oldest state in the North-East Region of India and as the gateway to the rest of the Seven Sister States. The land of red river and blue hills, Assam comprises three main geographical areas: the Brahmaputra Valley which stretching along the length of the Brahmaputra river, the Barak Valley extending like a tail, and the intervening Karbi Plateau and North Cachar Hills. Assam shares its border with Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram and West Bengal; and there are National Highways leading to their capital cities. It also shares international borders with Bhutan and Bangladesh and is very close to Myanmar. In ancient times Assam was known as Pragjyotisha or Pragjyotishpura, and Kamarupa.
Anwaruddin Choudhury is an Indian ornithologist and mammalogist noted for his work in wildlife conservation across North-East India. He is also known for his expertise on the fauna of North-East India. He has served in various governmental roles, including as Deputy Commissioner in Assam and as Secretary in the state government, ultimately retiring as the Divisional Commissioner of Barak Valley in August 2019. Choudhury is also the Honorary Chief Executive and a trustee of the Rhino Foundation for Nature in North-East India Born into a family with a strong educational background, Choudhury was raised in Shillong & finished his matriculation in 1974. He initially pursued science but later earned a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Geography, followed by a Master's degree from Gauhati University, where he also received a gold medal for his academic performance. He completed his PhD from Assam in 1989 on primate studies.
Dehing Patkai National Park is a national park in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam covering an area of 231.65 km2 (89.44 sq mi) of rainforest. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary on 13 June 2004. On 13 December 2020, the Government of Assam upgraded it into a national park. On 9 June 2021, the Forest Department of Assam officially notified it as a national park. It is located in the Dehing Patkai Landscape which is a dipterocarp-dominated lowland rainforest. The rainforest stretches for more than 575 km2 (222 sq mi) in the districts of Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and Charaideo. The forest further spreads over in the Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Dehing Patkai National Park harbours the largest stretch of lowland rainforests in India. Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary was declared as Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve under Project Elephant. Dehing-Patkai as a potential wildlife sanctuary was identified in late 1980s during a primate survey as "Upper Dehing Wildlife Sanctuary". Subsequently during a study on white-winged wood duck in early 1990s, it was discovered as a globally important site for this duck and recommended to be upgraded to "Upper Dehing National Park".
The International Elephant Foundation (IEF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. Formed by individuals and institutions, IEF is dedicated to the conservation of African and Asian elephants worldwide.
Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area located in the state of Assam in India. This wildlife sanctuary covers 44.06 km2, on the south bank of the Brahmaputra River in Sonitpur district. The area was declared a Reserved forest in 1974, it became a sanctuary in 1995. It is located 40 km from Tezpur town and 181 km away from Guwahati.It forms an integral part of the Laokhowa-Burachapori eco-system and is a notified buffer of the Kaziranga Tiger reserve.
Nambor - Doigrung Wildlife Sanctuary is a Morangi located in Golaghat district of Assam in India. This wildlife sanctuary covers an area of 97.15 km2. It is located 25 km from Golaghat town and about 318 km from Guwahati LGBI Airport. The forest type is tropical semi-evergreen with pockets of pure evergreen, interspersed with small forest marshes. The area was declared as a Wildlife sanctuary in 2003. The sanctuary along with Garampani Wildlife Sanctuary and Nambor Wildlife Sanctuary (37 km2) are a part of the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Elephant Reserve, which was declared on 17 April 2003, with an estimated area of 3,270 km2.
Northeast India consists of eight states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. Tourism in this area is based around the unique Himalayan landscape and culture distinct from the rest of India.
Assam – 16th largest, 15th most populous and 26th most literate state of the 28 states of the democratic Republic of India. Assam is at 14th position in life expectancy and 8th in female-to-male sex ratio. Assam is the 21st most media exposed states in India. The Economy of Assam is largely agriculture based with 69% of the population engaged in it. Growth rate of Assam's income has not kept pace with that of India's during the Post-British Era; differences increased rapidly since the 1970s. While the Indian economy grew at 6 percent per annum over the period of 1981 to 2000, the same of Assam's grew only by 3.3 percent.
The Brahmaputra floods refers to a catastrophic flood event that occurred in 2012 along the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries, as well as in subsequent years.
The Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary located on the eastern fringe of Guwahati, Assam, India. The name Amchang is originated from the name of Arleng village named Amcheng located in the heart of the wildlife sanctuary. The sanctuary is known for hosting rare and endangered birds and animals. Amchang's habitat is dominated by tropical moist deciduous forest with semi-evergreen forest in depressions and river-valleys. It is known for its elephants which have become isolated with no movement with other elephant-populations. The first published information of these elephants was found in 1985 There were depredations in the fringe areas, which are part of Guwahati city, the capital of Assam. It was acute as the pachyderms were confined to an isolated forest not very large. Hence, a protected area was mooted. The wild elephants from Amchang often enter parts of Guwahati City but on a few occasions they travelled to the heart of the city. The sanctuary has other mammals such as Chinese pangolin, slow loris, Assamese macaque, rhesus monkey, hoolock gibbon, leopard, leopard cat, jungle cat, sambar, barking deer, red serow, Malayan giant squirrel, crestless Himalayan porcupine. However, it is the presence of an isolated population of gaur or Indian "bison" that has added significance to Amchang. This bovid is also confined to this sanctuary with no links to other areas. Amchang is an Important Bird & Biodiversity Area. The sanctuary has a diverse birdlife. Some noteworthy species found includes White-backed vulture, Slender-billed vulture, White-cheeked hill partridges, Grey peacock pheasant, Kaleej pheasant, Greater adjutant stork mostly in flight, Great pied hornbill, Oriental pied hornbill and Green imperial pigeon among many others. Prior to 2004, the area was made up of three individual reserved forests, the Amchang reserved forest, South Amchang reserved forest and Khanapara reserved forest. These three forests were combined in 2004 by the Assam government to form the sanctuary as it exists today. It is spread over in an area of 78.64 square kilometre
Purnima Devi Barman is a wildlife biologist from Assam, India. She is known for her conservation work with the greater adjutant stork, known locally as the Hargila. She is the founder of the Hargila Army, an all-female conservation initiative. In 2017, Barman was the recipient of both the Whitley Award for her conservation efforts and the Nari Shakti Puraskar, the highest women-exclusive civilian award, presented by the President of India.
Raimona National Park is located in extreme western part of Assam, India. It is spread across Gossaigaon and Kokrajhar subdivisions of Kokrajhar district of Bodoland Territorial Region.
Bibhab Kumar Talukdar is an Indian conservation biologist. He is the founder of Aaranyak, a leading wildlife non-governmental organization based in Guwahati, India. It is a Scientific, Industrial Research and frontline environmental organization in India.