Based on our engagement with the local community through the Hornbill Nest Adoption Program, we felt the need to strengthen their support for conservation while also exploring sustainable livelihoods options and ensuring skill development for the people through the following initiatives.

We supported and arranged for the training of 14 local youth as nature guides of Pakke. This training was given by Naturalists Payal Mehta and Harsha J. The trained guides were also given an opportunity to guide tourists in the forests during the festival. We plan to further help bringing in more visitors in the area and help promote responsible eco-tourism.

We have also helped two families in setting up homestays in Darlong Village outside Pakke Tiger Reserve. One of the two homestays is up and ready.

Rasham and Devi's Homestay – A beautiful Nyishi stilt house surrounded by the reserved forest with two lovely hosts Rasham Brah and Devi Brah. This place is ideal for those wanting to experience Nyishi culture. One can also see Wreathed hornbills flying overhead in large numbers and roosting in the village from the homestay in the evenings. For bookings contact: Rasham Brah +91-7002141742

We have also created a theatre performance with women from Darlong village to revive and promote a rare folk song called ‘Nyolo Tuki’. This performance was also presented during the Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival – 2019 as one of the evening highlights. Following this, we plan to release a music video on Nyolo-Tuki soon that the Nyishi people can keep this cultural treasure alive amongst the future generations. This initiative was conceptualised by Sangeeta Isvaran, Honorary Associate with NCF.

You can also view the theatre performance here.

A pocket guide on the ‘Birds of Pakke’ was developed to be sold/distributed during the festival. This handy guide has 138 species of birds from Pakke. You can also buy the guide here. The proceeds from the sale of this guide will be used for our conservation work.

A uniqueset of Hornbill pendant, earrings and brooch was also developed to be sold during the festival. You can also buy the jewellery here. The proceeds from the sale of this guide will be used for our conservation work

In 2014, we conducted a detailed socio-economic survey in fourteen villages around Pakke Tiger Reserve and found out that dependence of the local people on forest resources such as bamboo, cane, fuelwood, Tokko (Livistona jenkinsiana) and timber is substantial. In 2018, we conducted another follow-up survey in four villages to explore options for raising plantation/nurseries to meet their needs for the above resources and to also explore alternate energy options to reduce their dependence on fuelwood. Interestingly, the survey results showed that even though the number of households using LPG connections in 2018 have increased by 70%, there is no reduction in their fuelwood consumption. Local people continue to use fuewlood because of the traditional importance of burning fuelwood in the kitchen hearth.