“Conservation Needs Communities At Its Heart As Nature And People Are One”

Earlier, only a few people understood the fragile relationship between people and nature. However, those few have now become many, but it is still beyond comprehension to understand the Eastern Himalayas as deeply as Ranjit Barthakur, Founder, Balipara Foundation. His decades of living and travelling across the region brought him face- to- face with the harsh realities of ecological loss — the fading calls of hornbills, strands eroded beyond recognition, and communities forced to abandon ancestral lands. Out of this particular reckoning was born the Balipara Foundation, predicated in the belief that conservation cannot succeed without communities at its centre.

Through its guiding gospel of Naturenomics, the Foundation has grown from grassroots sweats into a wider movement across the Eastern Himalayas — restoring timbers, securing indigenous knowledge, and erecting regenerative livelihoods. In this discussion, Barthakur reflects on the trip, the defining moments that shaped the Foundation, and the enduring vision of creating ecological wealth where people and nature thrive together. In an interview with ResponsibleUs, the Founder Barthakur, spoke about its vision, balance ecological regeneration, local communities and more

How has the foundation's vision evolved since its commencement?
Since its commencement in 2007, Balipara Foundation began with a primary focus on guarding the Asian giant. still, through our work and on- ground gests, we snappily realised that securing a single species could only be effective if the broader Ecology and terrain were also secured.. This converted our vision from Species-specific conservation to a holistic charge of guarding and regenerating the entire Eastern Himalayan ecosystem.

Over the times, our focus has expanded to securing timbers and biodiversity, restoring Degraded lands and waterscapes, and strengthening climate adaptability across the region. Guided by our Naturenomics ™ frame, we integrate biodiversity restoration, Indigenous knowledge, and sustainable livelihoods to produce regenerative socio- profitable Models. moment, our work not only ensures the survival of iconic species like the Asian Elephant, but also enables communities to thrive as servants of their ecosystems- erecting a flexible, prosperous future for both people and nature in the Eastern Himalaya.

Your conception of' Nature Capital' is relatively unique. Can you explain how it guides your work on ecological restoration?
At Balipara Foundation, Nature Capital refers to the immense wealth we decide from nature's coffers like timbers, gutters, soil, biodiversity, and the ecosystem services They give, similar as clean air, water, climate regulation, and food security. We see These not as horizonless or free goods, but as means with palpable value that must be defended, regenerated, and managed for long- term substance.

This conception attendants our ecological restoration work by placing nature at the centre of Economic and social development. Through the Naturenomics ™ frame, we quantify And integrate Nature Capital into planning and decision- timber, icing that restoration Is n't just about planting trees, but about rebuilding entire ecosystems and the services They give. Whether restoring demoralized lands, securing climaxes, or reviving Biodiversity in the Eastern Himalaya, we link these sweats directly to community well- being, Creating sustainable livelihoods, strengthening adaptability to climate change, and icing That natural wealth continues to support generations to come.

In substance, Nature Capital is our compass it shapes how we restore ecosystems while Empowering people to see conservation as an investment in their future.

How do you balance ecological rejuvenescence with the requirements and bournes of Original communities?
Our approach begins with harkening to communities, understanding their Livelihoods, artistic values, and bournes and alsoco-creating restoration systems that Align with both ecological precedences and socio- profitable requirements. Through our Naturenomics ™ frame, we integrate sustainable livelihood openings similar as agroforestry,non-timber timber products, seed banks, and eco Tourism into restoration enterprise. This way, communities gain direct, palpable benefits From guarding and regenerating their geographies. We also invest in capacity structure and Knowledge exchange, blending indigenous wisdom with ultramodern ecological practices, so That original people are empowered as long- term servants of the land.

By linking rejuvenescence to income, food security, and adaptability, we produce a collective stake In conservation, where restoring degraded lands, securing timbers, and guarding Biodiversity also mean securing better futures for the people.

What are some measurable issues you've seen from your rewilding and Agroforestry enterprise?
Through Balipara Foundation's flagship programme of ecological restoration of Habitats derived from naturenomicstm, the foundation has achieved significant Measurable outcomes in reducing deforestation, instilling leadership, generating Livelihoods and impacting the forests fringe and riverine communities positively. To date, The Foundation has restored 6,415 hectares of land and managed 6,942 hectares, planting 7.80 million saplings and creating 757 million natural assets. These efforts have positively Impacted over 32,000 people by generating sustainable livelihoods and enhancing Ecological resilience. The agroforestry and restoration initiatives have collectively Contributed to generating ?303 million in community income, ensuring both environmental Regeneration and socio-economic stability for partner communities. 

How do you ensure indigenous knowledge and community leadership are Integrated into your programs? 
We begin by listening - engaging directly with local communities to understand their Traditional practices, cultural values, and ecological insights that have sustained these Landscapes for generations. Alongside this, we study neighbouring forests to learn which Native species thrive locally, ensuring our habitat restoration mirrors the region's natural Resilience. These insights guide our project design, making solutions ecologically sound And culturally relevant. We build leadership by training and empowering local 
Youth, women, and community members to manage nurseries, lead restoration, and Develop nature-based enterprises. This participatory approach transforms communities From beneficiaries into custodians, ensuring conservation outcomes are sustainable and Rooted in lived experiences.  

What has been the response of the youth in these regions to your Nature-based Livelihoods programs? 
The response from the youth has been overwhelmingly positive. Through our Indigenous Hub initiatives - piggery, fishery, and beekeeping, we've seen young people Stepping into leadership roles, actively driving change in their communities. These initiatives Not only provide income but also instill a sense of ownership and pride in their work. 

Many youths are also deeply involved in habitat restoration, which offers them daily wages While simultaneously reconnecting them with their land and forests. Our agroforestry efforts Have ensured greater food security for their families and created new opportunities to sell local Produce in nearby markets, boosting community incomes. 

Beyond the economic benefits, these programs are shifting mindsets. Young people are Beginning to see nature not just as a backdrop to their lives but as a partner in their future-Something to protect, nurture, and benefit from in sustainable ways. 

Could you share a story that reflects how community involvement transformed a Degraded area? 
One powerful example is Kartik Chapori, a small island in the Majuli distict of Assam, once degraded sandbar island that had lost much of its vegetation due to years of Unsustainable flooding and unsustainable practices. Through community-led restoration under Our programs, local youth and families planted native trees, developed agroforestry plots, and Set up sustainable livelihood practices that reduced pressure on the land. Over time, the Vegetation regenerated, creating a green cover. As the habitat recovered, wildlife began to Return - from Asian elephants, one horned rhinoceros and Indian hares to even the majestic Royal Bengal tiger being spotted in the area. This transformation not only revived the Ecosystem but also built a deep sense of pride among the community, showing them that their Stewardship could bring life back to the land. 

How do you incorporate data and technology into conservation-especially in Biodiversity tracking or carbon monitoring? 
We believe that data and technology are indispensable in Making conservation more targeted, measurable, and impactful. By integrating tools such as Remote sensing, GIS, AI, drones, and edna analysis into our work, we're able to uncover Insights that were once invisible to the human eye. 

For biodiversity tracking, technologies like GPS biologging and AI-assisted camera trap Analytics help us monitor species movement, habitat use, and behavioral patterns with Remarkable precision. Remote sensing and GIS allow us to map habitats, detect deforestation, And assess vegetation cover, forming the backbone of our conservation planning. Edna has Added another dimension, enabling us to identify species presence without direct Observation-critical for elusive or endangered species. 

In carbon monitoring, satellite imagery and GIS-based modelling help us estimate Carbon sequestration, monitor changes over time, and understand the impact of land-use Shifts. This science-backed approach allows us to design restoration projects that are not only Ecologically sound but also measurable in terms of climate benefit. 

By combining indigenous knowledge with slice- edge technology, we aim to ground the gap Between traditional wisdom and ultramodern wisdom, icing that conservation in the Eastern Himalayas is both deeply embedded and forward- looking.

How has collaboration- with governments, corporates, or academic institutions- Helped advance your charge?
Our charge has been strengthened by a network of collaborations that bring together The stylish of policy, academia, and commercial invention. With academic institutions like IIT Guwahati, Gauhati University, Royal Global University, Cotton University, and Assam Skill University, we've developed strong knowledge hookups, participating exploration, co-developing restoration models, and engaging scholars in hands- on conservation.
On the commercial front, the fiscal support we admit through the CSR enterprise of HDFC Bank, Axis Bank Limited, Red Bull, Tata Steel, and Hindustan Unilever Limited has been vital. These hookups go beyond backing, experts from their brigades laboriously engage with Us, offering suggestions, feedback, knowledge sharing, and specialized moxie. This Exchange of chops and perspectives not only sharpens our approach but also helps us make Scalable, replicable models of conservation and community development.

By working alongside government departments, these academic and commercial alliances produce amulti-dimensional support system icing that our enterprise are scientifically sound, financially sustainable, and socially poignant.

What are your long- term pretensions for the Eastern Himalayan Botanic Ark or the Naturenomics program?
Our long- term vision for the Eastern Himalayan Botanic Ark and the Naturenomics Program is to produce a flexible, tone- sustaining living laboratory that integrates biodiversity Conservation, livelihood security, and climate adaptability for communities across the Eastern Himalaya. We aim to gauge niche restoration across critical corridors, restore demoralized Ecosystems to a state where wildlife thrives naturally, and make original stewardship through Knowledge transfer, skill development, and nature- grounded enterprise. The Ark will continue to Serve as a mecca for exploration, education, and invention- working with communities, Governments, corporates, and academic mates to colonist scalable models that can be Replicated across the Third Pole. Eventually, our thing is to ensure that ecological wealth Becomes the foundation for profitable substance in the region, enabling people and nature to Coexist in harmony for generations to come.

What shifts in policy, social, or environmental would you like to see in the coming 5 10 times to support your work?
We'd like to see a decisive policy shift towards recognising natural capital as An essential part of public profitable planning, integrating ecosystem restoration into Development programs, and creating stronger impulses for regenerative land use. Socially, We fantasize a future where communities living closest to nature are no longer trapped in Cycles of poverty, but rather thrive through staid, conservation- linked livelihoods. We Hope to see rural youth and indigenous groups leading landscape stewardship as equal Partners in national development. Environmentally, we foresee stronger legal protections for biodiversity corridors, and mainstreaming nature-based solutions into Climate strategies. Over the next 5-10 years, these shifts can create resilient ecosystems, Prosperous communities, and an ecologically secure Eastern Himalaya. 

What has this journey taught you personally about nature, people, and resilience? 
This journey has taught me that nature and people share a deep, symbiotic Resilience - both have an extraordinary ability to heal and adapt when given the right care And respect. I have learned that communities living closest to nature hold a wealth of Traditional wisdom, and when this is blended with ultramodern conservation wisdom, it creates important, lasting change. Most importantly, i have realised that guarding nature is n't just About saving wildlife or timbers, it's about restoring quality, occasion, and stopgap for People, icing that conservation and mortal well- being grow hand in hand.

If you could give one message to young changemakers in the sustainability space, what would it be?
Ans- Stay confirmed in empathy and curiosity. The sustainability trip is long and frequently Challenging, but flash back, real change is erected on continuity, modesty, and the courage to hear as important as you act. Do not be hysterical to start small, because indeed the smallest seed, when nurtured, can grow into a timber of impact. Most importantly, measure your success Not just in figures, but in the lives you touch and the stopgap you inspire.