Reported by Roopak Goswami
Guwahati: Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve on Sunday launched Assam’s first dedicated grass nursery and released 15 captive-bred pygmy hogs into the wild, marking a major conservation push as the UNESCO World Heritage Site grapples with the loss of more than 60 per cent of its historical grassland cover.
The twin initiatives, along with the induction of five newly trained camp elephants into conservation service, underscored the reserve’s efforts to restore critical habitats and strengthen wildlife protection across one of India’s most important biodiversity landscapes.
The state’s first grass nursery was inaugurated at the Bansbari Range by Vinay Gupta, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Assam. Developed over one hectare with support from State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), the facility houses 16 species of native grasses collected from different habitats within the national park.
Forest officials said the nursery will serve as a long-term source of seeds and planting material for large-scale grassland restoration efforts in Manas and other protected areas of Assam.
The initiative comes at a crucial time. According to recent assessments, grasslands in Manas have shrunk from about 384 sq km, or 45 per cent of the landscape in 1990 to just 155 sq km, or 18 per cent today. The decline has been attributed to invasive species, woodland encroachment, altered river dynamics and disruptions in habitat management over previous decades.
Officials estimate that nearly six square kilometres of grassland continue to be lost annually.
“Restoration of grasslands is among the highest conservation priorities for Manas National Park,” Gupta said, adding that the nursery would ensure a sustainable supply of native grass species required for habitat recovery and invasive species management.
The grasslands are considered the ecological backbone of Manas and support a range of globally threatened wildlife, including the pygmy hog, Bengal florican, hispid hare, greater one-horned rhinoceros, wild water buffalo, swamp deer, Asian elephant and tiger.
In a related conservation milestone, 15 captive-bred pygmy hogs were released into the Kuribeel grasslands under the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme. The release is aimed at rebuilding viable wild populations of the critically endangered species, the world’s smallest and rarest wild pig, whose survival depends heavily on healthy tall grassland ecosystems.
The reserve also honoured two veteran camp elephants, Purnima and Promila, upon their retirement from active service. The elephants received a ceremonial guard of honour, traditional gamochas and special feeding as forest staff paid tribute to their years of contribution to anti-poaching patrols, wildlife monitoring and habitat management.
At the same ceremony, five newly trained elephants — Manalisa, Raja, Bubul, Bijoy and Birshing, were formally inducted into service after completing a three-month training programme under experienced mahouts.
Officials said the new recruits will support anti-poaching operations, wildlife monitoring and conservation management across the reserve’s vast grassland and forest landscapes.
Together, the three events highlighted Manas Tiger Reserve’s integrated conservation strategy, combining habitat restoration, endangered species recovery and strengthened field protection to secure the future of one of Asia’s most significant riverine grassland ecosystems.