In last 25 years one horned rhinoceros was almost eliminated through organized poaching from Manas National Park, Laokhowa and Burachapori areas of Assam. Kaziranga which contains 93% of the rhino population faced stochaistic risk, carrying capacity of rhino exceeds in Pabitora wildlife sanctuary while poaching continued in Kaziranga, Pabitora and Orang National Park. So long term strategies like rhino translocation in former rhino habitats and improvement of security in all rhino areas have been initiated under a mega programme- Indian Rhino Vision 2020.

Manas is a first choice for rhino translocation due to recent improvement of political unrest, signs of 2-3 rhinos and strong involvement of a local tribal community to change a poaching centre into conservation station. But still threats exist in Manas and other rhino habitats of Assam. So there is a need for greater participation of local community in rhino conservation as well as rehabilitation of ex poachers of Manas and other areas. So the project aims to prepare a conservation material in local language for capacity building of local NGOs, teachers, students of fringe areas of rhino habitats of Manas and Orang National Parks as well as other rhino habitats of Assam. Secondly to carry out extensive rhino conservation campaign in Manas and Orang National Parks. Thirdly developing a model for alternative livelihood generation programme to rehabilitate ex poachers cum conservation workers of Manas and supporting and encouraging children of ex-poachers in school education. These activities will help in strengthening rhino protection in Assam particularly success of Indian Rhino Vision-2020.

The material will be used during training period of conservation workers and awareness campaigns in fringe villages of rhino habitats particularly around Manas and Orang National Parks. Self help groups will be formed involving one remember of each family of ex poachers cum conservation workers near Manas. Each group will be provided training and in kind support for alternative livelihood generation focusing local design. One children of each family will be provided with a school kit (school bags, books pencil etc) to encourage in their education. We will involve local NGOs including Maouzegendri, Bodo tribal leaders, school students, teachers, conservation workers, village heads, researchers and lecturers of local colleges and university in the programme. We have already started the programme in Manas and Rufford grant will be instrumental in its strong extension to more villages and other rhino habitats like Orang National Park.