A team of nine WCS-India staff and four community representatives from Nagaland recently visited Arunachal Pradesh to learn from the inspiring, community-led conservation efforts of Garung Thuk and the Bugun community of Singchung village.
Garung Thuk, a grassroots NGO based in Shergaon, works to strengthen local pride in biodiversity through awareness sessions, capacity-building workshops, and youth engagement. In Singchung, the Bugun community has led the way by setting aside land as the Singchung Bugun Village Community Reserve (SBVCR), taking responsibility for the protection of local habitats.
At SBVCR, a 12-member patrol team—formed and trained from within the local youth—demonstrates the power of grassroots stewardship. From identifying bird calls to documenting wildlife sightings, their knowledge reflects a meaningful transition from hunting to conservation leadership.
The declaration of the Briduah Community Reserve, alongside SBVCR, has resulted in nearly one-third of Bugun community land being dedicated to wildlife protection. These efforts, deeply rooted in culture and tradition, stand as a strong model for sustained, community-driven biodiversity conservation.
