A two-hectare space has been chosen on this reserve forest within the Bodoland Territorial Area (BTR) for the mission centered on managing dense stands of three IAP species. File
| Picture Credit score: Ritu Raj Konvar
GUWAHATI
A mission in Assam to enhance the standard of an elephant habitat might flip a botanical legal responsibility right into a carbon-rich asset.
For many years, Assam Forest Division officers have struggled to cope with at the least half a dozen invasive alien vegetation (IAPs) which have been constricting native vegetation and decreasing the meals choices for herbivores.
They’re upbeat concerning the focused IAP administration in Khalingduar Reserve Forest below the Dhansiri Forest Division of Udalguri district, bordering Bhutan. A two-hectare space has been chosen on this reserve forest within the Bodoland Territorial Area (BTR) for the mission centered on managing dense stands of three IAP species.
These species are Lantana camara, Chromolaena odorata, and Mikania micrantha. Though these species have been recognized to contribute as nectar sources or structural cowl, their proliferation into dense stands is altering native plant communities and constraining regeneration.
Assam-based biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak has undertaken a mission to transform invasive alien plant species into biochar to enhance an elephant habitat in Assam’s Udalguri district.
| Picture Credit score:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Aaranyak, a Guwahati-based biodiversity conservation organisation, is endeavor the Worldwide Elephant Basis-supported mission. The programme targets native vegetation restoration via focused IAP administration, seed-ball-assisted regeneration, and conversion of cleared biomass into biochar.
Biochar is a fine-grained, porous, charcoal-like substance made by heating natural waste in a managed atmosphere with little to no oxygen. As an alternative of burning to ash, this thermal course of transforms the biomass right into a steady, strong type of carbon that resists decay and may stay within the floor for hundreds of years.
Biochar properties range significantly with feedstock and manufacturing situations. Its porous construction can affect soil water retention, nutrient retention, aggregation, and microbial habitat.
Hope for herbivores
In accordance with Aaranyak’s Rabiya Daimari, Bistirna Burhagohain, Bikash Tossa, Manav Nayak, and Pradip Barman, a quintet conducting the sector operations for the mission, the three species chosen compete with native vegetation for mild, area, moisture, and vitamins.
These IAPs steadily stifle the expansion and restoration of native grasses, herbs, shrubs, and naturally regenerating timber. “Elephants and different herbivores want a different forage base comprising native grasses and vegetation,” a workforce member mentioned.
The quintet mentioned the present vegetation within the mission space was catalogued to determine patches with substantial IAP dominance. Primarily based on the survey findings, the IAPs had been manually uprooted within the goal space to minimise regrowth and scale back aggressive strain on regenerating vegetation.
“The Khalingduar mission could be a game-changer for the administration of IAPs,” Sonali Ghosh, the Further Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and BTR’s Council Head of Division, advised The Hindu on Saturday (August 22, 2026).
The Aaranyak workforce mentioned the mission space can be monitored periodically for IAP re-emergence and regeneration, with subsequent elimination undertaken the place vital to forestall renewed dominance and maintain the area created for native vegetation restoration.
Revealed – August 22, 2026 12:12 pm IST
