Assam elephant habitat recovery hope rides on biochar from invasive plants
A two-hectare area in Udalguri district’s Khalingduar Reserve Forest has been selected for the project supported by the International Elephant Foundation
In Assam, a project aims to restore the quality of elephant habitats by transforming invasive alien plants (IAPs) into a valuable carbon-rich resource. IAPs, including Lantana camara, Chromolaena odorata, and Mikania micrantha, have been constricting local vegetation and limiting food sources for herbivores like elephants. The Khalingduar Reserve Forest in the Dhansiri Forest Division of Udalguri district, bordering Bhutan, is the site for the two-hectare project.
Conducted by Aaranyak, a Guwahati-based biodiversity conservation organization, the initiative focuses on managing IAP stands, promoting native vegetation recovery, and converting biomass into biochar. Biochar, a stable carbon-rich substance, can improve soil properties and provide a long-term habitat for microbes. The project involves cataloging existing vegetation, manually removing IAPs, and monitoring for regrowth to ensure sustained native vegetation recovery and support for the elephant population.
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