!A bird in grass with brown black and white feathers.
The transformation of local communities around Manas National Park highlights how empowering stakeholders directly impacted by conservation decisions can lead to enduring success. Economic incentives such as tourism revenue served as an effective motivator for behavioral change among former poachers who once relied on hunting for survival. The collaborative efforts between local ecotourism societies like MMES, nonprofits such as Aaranyak, district officials, and ornithologists emphasize the importance of multi-stakeholder approaches.
Though modest improvements have been noted for critically endangered Bengal floricans,their recovery remains fragile given their small population size globally. This underscores India’s responsibility not only at a national level but also as part of its commitment under international frameworks like IUCN conservation principles and UNESCO World Heritage protections.
With nearly two decades passing since active efforts began here post-Bodo conflict resolution, key lessons emerge: addressing root causes such as poverty while fostering cultural pride around biodiversity conservation can produce sustainable outcomes that benefit both people and nature alike.
Read More: National Geographic Article