Assam Project on Forest and Biodiversity Conservation

Artificial highlands where animals can escape during floods; 200+ anti-poaching camps; alternate livelihood training for local communities — these measures at the Kaziranga National Park in Assam will form the cornerstone of an Indo-French initiative.

About the project –

• The Kaziranga project is a part of a larger Assam Project on Forest and Biodiversity Conservation (APFBC) for which the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) has committed funding of €80.2 million for a 10-year period, between 2014-2024.
• The project conceptualised the reforestation of 33,500 hectares of land and the training of 10,000 community members in alternate livelihoods by 2024.
• APFBC Society was created by State Government of Assam as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• The Society has the mandate for planning, implementation, monitoring, coordination and management of all the activities proposed under the project.
• With French and Indian technical and financial support, the Indo-Pacific Parks Partnership will facilitate partnership activities for interested natural parks of the Indo-Pacific region. These activities include biodiversity conservation, wildlife management and engagement with local communities.

About ‘Kaziranga National Park’ –

• Located in the State of Assam it is the single largest undisturbed and representative area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain.
• It is inhabited by the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, as well as many mammals, including tigers, elephants, panthers and bears, and thousands of birds.
• Protection status —
  • • It was declared a national park in 1974.
    • UNESCO declared it a world heritage site in 1985.
    • It became a Tiger Reserve in 2006.
    • It is also recognised as an ‘Important Bird Area’ by BirdLife International for the conservation of avifaunal species