Greater Kaziranga Programme
The Greater Kaziranga Programme (GKP) is a conservation and sustainable development initiative centred around the Kaziranga National Park and its surrounding landscapes in Assam, India. The programme seeks to ensure the long-term ecological security of the region by combining biodiversity conservation with community development, sustainable land use, and climate resilience.
Background and Context
Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is globally renowned for its population of the one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) and is a biodiversity hotspot that supports elephants, tigers, swamp deer, wild water buffalo, and a wide variety of bird species. However, the park exists within a larger socio-ecological system that includes human settlements, agricultural lands, tea gardens, and riverine ecosystems.
The Greater Kaziranga landscape is ecologically significant but faces multiple challenges, including:
- Habitat fragmentation due to agriculture, infrastructure development, and settlements.
- Floods and erosion caused by the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries.
- Human–wildlife conflict, particularly crop raiding by elephants and livestock predation.
- Poaching and illegal trade of wildlife.
- Climate change impacts, such as intensified flooding and habitat degradation.
Recognising the need for an integrated approach that addresses both conservation and human development, the Greater Kaziranga Programme was launched with multi-stakeholder collaboration.
Objectives
The key objectives of the Greater Kaziranga Programme include:
- Conservation of biodiversity and strengthening protection of key species such as rhinoceroses, elephants, and tigers.
- Habitat connectivity through the restoration of wildlife corridors linking Kaziranga to adjoining protected areas and forests.
- Community participation in conservation by promoting alternative livelihoods and reducing dependence on forest resources.
- Disaster resilience by addressing flood management and erosion control in the Brahmaputra valley.
- Sustainable development through eco-friendly agriculture, eco-tourism, and renewable energy adoption in local communities.
Core Components
Landscape-Level Conservation
The programme promotes a landscape approach, focusing not only on the core Kaziranga National Park but also on its eco-sensitive zones and neighbouring districts. Wildlife corridors, wetlands, and grazing areas are integral parts of this system, and their protection is essential for the survival of migratory and wide-ranging species.
Community Engagement
Local communities are central to the programme. Initiatives include:
- Promoting sustainable agriculture to reduce habitat encroachment.
- Providing training for eco-tourism and handicrafts to diversify livelihoods.
- Enhancing human–wildlife conflict mitigation, such as building barriers, early warning systems, and insurance schemes.
Disaster Risk Reduction
Given Kaziranga’s vulnerability to annual flooding, the programme incorporates floodplain management strategies, erosion control measures, and community preparedness planning to safeguard both wildlife and human settlements.
Policy and Governance Support
The GKP works with government agencies, conservation NGOs, and research institutions to strengthen environmental governance in the region. This includes capacity building of forest staff, improved law enforcement against poaching, and collaborative management with local authorities.
Significance
The Greater Kaziranga Programme represents a model of integrated conservation and development. Its significance lies in:
- Protecting one of the world’s most iconic wildlife habitats while ensuring local community well-being.
- Maintaining ecological connectivity between the Kaziranga–Karbi Anglong and Kaziranga–Orang landscapes, crucial for large mammals like elephants and tigers.
- Strengthening climate resilience in a flood-prone and ecologically sensitive region.
- Demonstrating how multi-stakeholder collaboration can balance conservation with human needs.
Challenges
Despite its strengths, the programme faces challenges such as:
- Encroachment pressures from expanding human settlements and agriculture.
- Infrastructure projects like highways and railways that cut across wildlife corridors.
- Resource limitations for enforcement, monitoring, and community programmes.
- The unpredictability of climate change, which exacerbates flooding and erosion risks.
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