Pankaj Nath, Assam: The community initiative of Assam’s Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve (MNPTR), the “Nature Orientation” sessions under the Manas Mitra program and the “Jungle Journey for Juniors (J3)” program have raised awareness of conservation among students of schools in nearby villages. The initiative was launched on 14th November 2024 at the Bansbari Ranges on the occasion of ‘Children’s Day’, aiming to strengthen the connection between local communities and wildlife conservation. Similarly, the Nature Orientation activities since February 2026 reached a total of 1,537 students in 22 schools in the fringe villages of the reserve. In these sessions, the importance of biodiversity, ecology and wildlife conservation of Manas was given in a special student-friendly manner. Each child was provided with animal masks and customized pencils as souvenirs. A major part of the programme is the ‘Jungle Journey for Juniors (J3)’, under which the selected students were sent on a free educational safari to get a closer look at the biodiversity and ecological elements of the reserve. So far, 150 students and 25 teachers under J3 have experienced safaris inside the park. The Manas Mitra programme aims to involve the local communities, especially the youth and students, in conservation activities and to make them aware of the ecological importance of the Manas landscape. The initiative also incorporates engagement with eco-development committees, nature guides and training of jeep safari operators and outreach with tourism stakeholders to promote community engagement in conservation. The programme is a continuous endeavour to strengthen the long-term association of people with the natural and cultural heritage of Manas National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Tiger Reserve. Awareness and regional engagement at an early stage among children will play a decisive role in reducing future human-wildlife conflict and supporting conservation goals, officials said.
