Reported by Roopak Goswami
Guwahati: Conservation-linked products made by communities around Assam’s Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve are set to reach customers across India and beyond, with park authorities launching their Eco-Shop on Amazon and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
The initiative marks a major step in linking conservation with sustainable livelihoods, enabling handcrafted products made by fringe communities around Kaziranga to access national and global markets through digital platforms.
Driven by the Kaziranga Staff Welfare Society, the Eco-Shop initiative has already emerged as a major success story in community-based enterprise.
Within just two years of its inception, the eco-shops recorded impressive sales, generating direct livelihood support for local artisans and producer groups.
According to official figures, overall sales from Kaziranga Eco Shops rose from Rs 1.24 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 1.87 crore in 2025-26, reflecting growing demand for locally crafted, eco-friendly products associated with the globally renowned wildlife landscape.
The Eco-Shop showcases a diverse range of products created by local communities, including handloom textiles, woodcraft, pickles, honey, decorative items, and innovative products made from water hyacinth.
Many of these products carry a distinct Kaziranga identity through the use of traditional animal motifs and natural dyes derived from locally available wild resources.
Officials said the initiative not only promotes sustainable products but also helps preserve traditional ecological knowledge and indigenous craftsmanship.
A major boost to the initiative came through the Ministry of Textiles’ SAMARTH scheme, under which more than 300 women received skill development training.
The programme helped artisans refine existing handloom traditions and convert biodiversity-inspired designs into market-ready products with strong commercial appeal.
By integrating these community products with online marketplaces such as Amazon and GeM, Kaziranga authorities aim to provide artisans with greater visibility, stable demand, and wider customer outreach while strengthening conservation-linked livelihoods in fringe villages.
Officials of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve said the initiative reflects the park’s continued commitment to community-based conservation through its Eco-Development Committee (EDC) framework, which focuses on supporting local enterprise while encouraging environmentally responsible economic opportunities.
The move is also expected to position Kaziranga’s community products as unique ambassadors of Assam’s biodiversity, culture, and sustainable craftsmanship in global markets.