Balipara Foundation: Building an Interconnected Future of Forests & People

On our recent trip to the Balipara Foundation in Assam, Sonali and I witnessed an incredible display of the harmonious coexistence of people and forests. It wasn't just about preserving nature but about building communities that take charge of restoring and managing their habitats.

Established in 2007, the Balipara Foundation has been a catalyst for environmental conservation and habitat restoration initiatives in the Eastern Himalayan region. They have been working towards restoring forests across Assam’s Udalguri district to Sonitpur along the Arunachal Pradesh-Assam-Bhutan border, also known as the ‘Elephant Country’.?

The heart of their initiative lies in a simple but profound question - why not forests AND people? And thus, they created a framework for ecological preservation that is also a driving force for community upliftment.?

At Udalguri man-made forest, we observed how the community actively engaged in tree plantation alongside JFMC and the Forest Department of Assam. While at Phuloguri, we explored the intricacies of restoration in hill landscapes, emphasising the role of conserving indigenous plants and avoiding introducing exotic or non-native species. Our day continued with a beautifully organised lunch at a community homestay showcasing the potential of ecotourism. We also visited Sikom, where they addressed some of the most pressing issues in the state, like human-elephant conflict and soil erosion. We also learned about the community nursery model at Baligaon, where community ownership not only ensured project success but also fostered development in neighbouring communities.?

Recently, the foundation launched the ambitious Great People's Forest - Vision 2030 initiative. In collaboration with regional partners, the initiative sets a bold goal: to plant 1 billion trees across the Eastern Himalayas by 2030. This endeavour is not just about reforestation; it's a significant step toward placing the conservation of this unique ecosystem on the global conservation agenda.

We saw their various projects in action, from community nurseries to agroforestry initiatives and learned about the science of restoration, careful selection of plant species, and biodiversity assessments in the region.?

Their commitment to creating a future where communities at the edge of forests are self-reliant and primary stewards of habitat restoration and management was highly impressive. Furthermore, their dedication to fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem focused on community and youth engagement was inspiring.

Sonali and I were grateful for the chance to support a vision that seeks to create an interconnected future for people and forests.