Guwahati: A new long-term conservation project aimed at fostering sustainable livelihoods and promoting wild cat conservation has been launched in the Dampa landscape of West Phaileng, Mizoram.
The initiative, spearheaded by Aaranyak, in collaboration with the Office of the Field Director at Dampa Tiger Reserve (DTR), the Government of Mizoram’s Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department, and the Department of Zoology at Mizoram University, aims to address conservation challenges while ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources.
Dampa Tiger Reserve, renowned for its rich biodiversity, particularly wild cat species such as tigers, leopards, and clouded leopards, is crucial for the local communities, providing essential ecosystem services.
The ethnic communities in the region—Mizo, Bru, and Chakma—heavily rely on forest resources for their daily sustenance.
However, the area faces mounting pressures from population growth, unsustainable resource extraction, and climate change, which threaten both the reserve and the livelihoods of the surrounding communities.
In response to these challenges, a day-long grassroots consultation workshop was held in West Phaileng, attended by 98 participants from various local organisations, including the Village Council, Young Mizo Association (YMA), Mizo Upa Pawl (MUP), Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP), and Self-Help Group (SHG) leaders from the project’s focus villages.
The consultation aimed to review the findings from a socio-economic assessment conducted in the project villages—Lallen, Saithah, Teirei Forest Village, Damparengpui, Tuipuibari, and Rajiv Nagar—and to discuss potential interventions for ensuring the project’s long-term impact and sustainability.
Additionally, the discussion explored opportunities for future collaborations and community-driven solutions.
Pu Agni Mitra, IFS, Field Director of DTR, officially inaugurated the workshop.
In his address, he expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration between Aaranyak and local communities, emphasising the importance of sustainable livelihoods for the conservation of key species in Dampa TR.
He further assured the gathering that DTR authorities are working towards the promotion of ecotourism, with plans to launch EcoFest 2025 to boost Dampa as a tourist destination.
Pu H.T. Lalremsanga, Professor and Head of the Department of Zoology at Mizoram University, highlighted the project’s objectives and activities, urging participants to engage actively in the initiative for the betterment of rural livelihoods.
Pu M. Firoz Ahmed, Coordinator of Aaranyak’s Natural Resource Management Programme, underscored the importance of a participatory approach to build an effective community-led conservation model.
Pi Carolyn L.B. Khiangte, ADC of Mamit, lauded the efforts of DTR and Aaranyak in launching the project and encouraged the community to embrace the initiative for long-term, sustainable development.
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She called for collective efforts to ensure the success of the programme and its positive impact on the rural economy.
The event also featured a presentation by Pu Jayanta Kumar Sarma, Senior Programme Associate at Aaranyak, who shared the results of the socio-economic study conducted in the villages, shedding light on local economic and social trends.
This was followed by a group discussion, where village representatives offered suggestions on potential activities to improve rural livelihoods and overall community development.
The workshop was made successful with the support of the YMA, West Phaileng, and Aaranyak’s team, led by Pu Partha Sarathi Ghose and members like Pu Decemson, Pi Siami, Pu Rodingliana, Pu Vobhika, and Pu Angel.
