In the not-so-distant past, tribals would venture into the forest of the Saraipung Forest village nestled within Assam’s Digboi area, armed with bows and arrows in search of wildlife.

Hunting was deeply embedded in the community’s way of life – a critical means of sustenance. Species such as monkeys, squirrels, and numerous birds were regular targets.

Yet, as the world evolved and conservation emerged as a global imperative, the winds of change found their way to Saraipung village. Today, the same people who once hunted to survive have become the very protectors of the thriving ecosystem they call home.

At the heart of this transformation is a zoology professor, Rajib Tariang, whose passion for conservation sparked a broader movement. For nearly two decades, this dedicated educator has worked alongside the tribal community, steering them toward a sustainable future.

Becoming custodians of the forest

Prior to his project in Saraipung village, Rajb was already engaged in a conservation awareness programme on wildlife, especially on mitigation in the human-elephant conflicts, other wild mammals and snakes.

Later in 2010, his conservation focus shifted towards Saraipung village. “I chose Saraipung village, as it’s inside the forest area, designated as a forest village, where I saw around 10-15 people entering the forest with bows and arrows in my initial visits to these jungles which was use to hunt wild animals, at that time, only three-four forest staffs were deputed to guard this huge jungle. I stepped in to do the conservation works involving the local youths for nature camps with other participants from the rest of Assam.”

Recognising the potential for change, he initiated conversations around environmental stewardship, emphasising the long-term benefits of conserving wildlife.

Rajib understood one crucial fact – the journey from hunting to conservation required more than harsh interdictions; it required empathy and understanding.

The professor didn’t storm in with dicta from on high; rather, he made himself part of the community. He moved to the village for two months and became a fixture of their daily life.

“I installed an inverter on my personal jeep to project videos and visuals on wildlife conservation onto makeshift screens. Slowly, through these interactions, I helped envisage a future with a different legacy: these people could be protectors, not predators, of wildlife,” says Rajib.

© The Better India