In a significant initiative to preserve indigenous wisdom, Kaziranga Park authorities, partnered with the Assam State Biodiversity Board (ASBB) and the Assam Project on Forest & Biodiversity Conservation (APFBC) Phase II, have documented over 150 tradeable natural resources crucial to the Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) of communities surrounding Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. This comprehensive effort highlights the importance of high-biodiversity areas in cultivating habitats for these resources, vital for the livelihoods of local communities. The documented semi-wild resources, which include seasonal fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants, and fibers, thrive in Kaziranga’s ecosystems. They not only have practical uses but also hold deep sacred and cultural significance for the communities linked to their ancestral lands.
The project involved over 178 households and 361 individuals from various communities, who shared their traditional ecological insights into food, medicine, crafts, and wildlife coexistence, which are integrated into the coffee table book “KAZIRANGA MOSAIC: Where Communities and Wilderness Thrive Together” and a short video, launched by Shri Anurag Singh during a State Level Stakeholders’ Awareness Workshop on the Biological Diversity Act and Access and Benefit Sharing mechanism on February 10, 2026.
Dr. Oinam Sunanda Devi, from ASBB, emphasized that documenting TEK is a crucial step toward recognizing its value. Dr. Sonali Ghosh highlighted plans for the next phase, which will focus on securing Geographical Indication (GI) tagging for select community-based products, such as Maduri mats and Birina crafts, enhancing their market value and promoting biodiversity conservation. The initiative aims to not only document these bioresources but also to view local residents as co-authors of Kaziranga’s future, advocating for broad applications in training and community-based conservation efforts across Assam.