The Resilient Heart of Manas National Park: Healing from the Shadows of Conflict

For two long decades, the Bodoland region of Assam faced turmoil that turned the beautiful Manas National Park, once recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, into a battleground. This conflict brought untold challenges to both people and wildlife. Forest guards, who played a crucial role in protecting the park, fled for their safety. As the forest guardians disappeared, poachers seized this opportunity, leading to a staggering loss of over 40% of the park’s primary forests due to agriculture and settlement expansions. The rich wildlife of Manas, including tigers, rhinos, elephants, and deer, faced a drastic decline, with many species on the verge of extinction.

The roots of this conflict can be traced back to the late 1980s, spilling into the early 2000s, when civil unrest erupted between Bodo insurgent groups and the state government. This violence had severe consequences for Manas National Park. With rebels targeting forest department personnel and infringing on park management, poaching thrived, habitats deteriorated, and wildlife populations collapsed.

However, nearly 20 years after a semblance of peace returned to the region, there is a glimmer of hope. Researchers from the Wildlife Institute of India conducted a recent study revealing a remarkable story of resilience and recovery among the wildlife of Manas. They found encouraging signs of rejuvenation in key predator-prey relationships, with high numbers of elephants, wild buffalo, and tigers.

A Journey of Recovery

Manas National Park is not just a sanctuary for wildlife; it is also a vital ecological and biodiversity hotspot that spans northeastern India and southern Bhutan. The years of conflict led to a significant decline of many species. The greater one-horned rhinoceros, for instance, was locally extinct, and male elephants faced near extinction due to organized poaching. The eastern swamp deer population was almost wiped out, and tigers, heavily targeted, faced unimaginable threats.

After the conflict subsided in 2003, park authorities began intensive conservation efforts to revive Manas’ ecological balance. These included habitat restoration, anti-poaching strategies, and community engagement programs. The introduction of rhinos in 2008 and swamp deer in 2014 marked defining moments in restoring Manas’ biodiversity.

By 2022 and 2023, conservationists employed innovative methods, like elephant-back surveys and camera traps, to study wildlife recovery post-conflict. They noted that populations of elephants, wild buffalo, and tigers had rebounded significantly. The tiger population alone boasted at least 57 adults, establishing Manas as a vital source for the region’s larger conservation landscape.

The Challenges Ahead

Despite these positive developments, the study raised concerns about certain herbivore species. The hog deer, a critical prey for tigers, has seen a worrying 82.32% decline in its population since 2015. Similarly, wild pig numbers dropped by 67.36%. These declines can be attributed to extensive bushmeat hunting during the conflict years, where hog deer and wild pigs were frequently targeted.

The slow reproductive rates of hog deer make recovery challenging, especially given their vulnerability to predation. “This creates an imbalance,” explained Vaibhav Chandra Mathur, the lead author of the study. “With fewer prey available, tigers may venture closer to human settlements in search of food, increasing human-wildlife conflict.”

Moreover, ongoing illegal hunting continues to threaten these herbivores. While the tiger population is thriving, the decline of essential prey species could eventually affect the delicate balance of this ecosystem.

The Role of Communities in Conservation

One of the most heartening outcomes of the peace process is the active involvement of local communities. Many individuals, who once played a part in the unrest, have transitioned to become partners in conservation. Many former poachers surrendered their weapons and joined forces with forest guards and nonprofit organizations to help nurture Manas.

These local communities have not only taken on roles as forest guards and eco-tourism guides but have also helped promote sustainable livelihoods. “This renewed commitment has significantly reduced forest exploitation and has led to the long-term protection of these vital habitats,” explains C. Ramesh, the Chief Conservator of Forests.

The participation of locals has been instrumental in the park’s recovery. Their collaboration with government bodies like the Bodoland Territorial Administration has facilitated institutional changes for wildlife protection. Together, they have laid the groundwork for ecological restoration and community well-being.

Conclusion

The journey of Manas National Park from a space of conflict to a symbol of resilience showcases the power of collaboration and shared responsibility. While challenges remain, the ongoing recovery intertwined with community engagement reveals that hope is indeed alive in Bodoland. The success of Manas is not just a story of wildlife rebound but also a testament to the strength of human commitment to conservation.

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Original Text – https://scroll.in/article/1086283/two-decades-later-wildlife-has-returned-to-national-park-caught-in-bodoland-conflict?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=public