India Conservation Work

The state of Assam in northeast India is home to a variety of incredible species, some of which are found nowhere else on Earth.

The Terai grasslands at the southern foothills of the Himalayas contain some of the tallest grass species in the world. This important habitat provides a home for some of the region's most threatened species, including the elusive pygmy hog. Durrell has been working in Assam since the 1970s to revive the grasslands and protect its animal inhabitants.

key protected areas

170+

pygmy hogs released

70+

frontline conservation staff trained

What we're doing to help in Assam

Researching grassland management methods

For grasslands to thrive they need to be carefully managed. In the past, widespread burning of the grasses was used to promote regrowth, but if it is done in the wrong way it can destroy large areas of grassland.

What we're doing to help

Our team is researching and testing burning methods to find the most effective way to allow the grasslands to thrive.
Protecting the Sub Himalayan grasslands

Invasive plants and spreading tree populations can affect grassland health. If trees begin to grow into the grasslands, the grasses are unable to grow as tall, and weeds and non-native plants can lead to the grass dying.

What we're doing to help

We regularly monitor the land and cut back invasive plants to control the growth of all problematic species.
Reducing human pressures on grasslands

Increasing human populations and the subsequent need for agricultural land, grazing for cattle and use of grassland materials pushes the grasslands to their limits.

What we're doing to help

We work with local communities to understand how they use the grasslands and work with them to identify alternatives that reduce their reliance on the grasslands, providing stable sources of income that allow the grasslands to thrive.
Signs of healthy grasslands

The pygmy hog and Bengal florican are indicator species, animals that indicate the health of an ecosystem. They are sensitive to environmental changes, so when the grasslands start to disappear, their numbers decrease before the other larger, less sensitive species like elephants, rhinos and tigers.

What we're doing to help

We are protecting these valuable species through population monitoring and management, captive breeding and release, and habitat management to ensure the survival of all grassland species.
Boosting pygmy hog populations

Once thought to be extinct, the world’s smallest pig is also one of the most threatened mammals. There were once populations across many of Assam’s grasslands, but habitat loss led to only one wild population remaining in Manas National Park.

What we're doing to help

We began working with pygmy hogs in the 1970s, and in 1995 formed the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme. We have two pygmy hog captive breeding centres in Assam, from which we have now released over 140 captive bred hogs into four protected grasslands of Assam.

Our partners

Aaranyak | Assam Forest Department | IUCN Wild Pig Specialist Group | Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Species we're helping

Pygmy hog

Hog deer

Bengal florican

Asiatic water buffalo

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India

The state of Assam in northeast India is home to a variety of incredible species, some of which are found nowhere else on Earth.

What we're doing to help in Assam

Researching grassland management methods

For grasslands to thrive they need to be carefully managed. In the past, widespread burning of the grasses was used to promote regrowth, but if it is done in the wrong way it can destroy large areas of grassland.

What we're doing to help

Our team is researching and testing burning methods to find the most effective way to allow the grasslands to thrive.

Protecting the Sub Himalayan grasslands

Invasive plants and spreading tree populations can affect grassland health. If trees begin to grow into the grasslands, the grasses are unable to grow as tall, and weeds and non-native plants can lead to the grass dying.

What we're doing to help

We regularly monitor the land and cut back invasive plants to control the growth of all problematic species.

Reducing human pressures on grasslands

Increasing human populations and the subsequent need for agricultural land, grazing for cattle and use of grassland materials pushes the grasslands to their limits.

What we're doing to help

We work with local communities to understand how they use the grasslands and work with them to identify alternatives that reduce their reliance on the grasslands, providing stable sources of income that allow the grasslands to thrive.

Signs of healthy grasslands

What we're doing to help

We are protecting these valuable species through population monitoring and management, captive breeding and release, and habitat management to ensure the survival of all grassland species.

Boosting pygmy hog populations

Once thought to be extinct, the world’s smallest pig is also one of the most threatened mammals. There were once populations across many of Assam’s grasslands, but habitat loss led to only one wild population remaining in Manas National Park.

What we're doing to help

We began working with pygmy hogs in the 1970s, and in 1995 formed the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme. We have two pygmy hog captive breeding centres in Assam, from which we have now released over 140 captive bred hogs into four protected grasslands of Assam.

Our partners

Species we're helping

Where we work

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