Bhairon Dev Lok Van Abhayaranya

After 10 years of successful forest protection effort by local communities of Bhaonta-Koylala, the forest was regenerated and wildlife revived it was declared a Bhairon Dev Lok Van Abhayaranya (people’s sanctuary) in October 1998. This is a unique example of a local community’s successful effort at conservation of biodiversity.

With the regeneration of forest, villagers report that a couple of leopards have started frequenting the forest. They have been lifting goats from the forest. As yet however, there did not seem to be any ill feeling among villagers. The shepherds keep a sharp vigil while grazing their sheep.

The villagers claim that the disappearance of tigers and other predators from the forest was the reason behind the depletion of forests. They mention that the presence of predators will inhibit people from going into the forest unless absolutely necessary and aid the conservation process.