Manas takes a leap towards conservation with grass nursery & release of pygmy hogs

Guwahati: Manas Tiger Reserve marked a historic day with three major conservation initiatives – the opening of Assam’s first grass nursery at Bansbari Range to support large-scale grassland restoration, the release of 15 captive-bred pygmy hogs into the Kuribeel grasslands, and the retirement of two veteran camp elephants alongside the induction of five newly trained elephants for conservation duties.

The state’s first dedicated grass nursery was inaugurated at Bansbari Range of Manas National Park by Vinay Gupta, principal chief conservator of forests (Wildlife) & chief wildlife warden of Assam.

Developed over approximately 1 hectare (7.5 bigha) with support from the state’s Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority, the nursery will provide a long-term seed source for grassland restoration across Manas and other protected areas in Assam.

Manas Tiger Reserve field director C Ramesh said 16 species of native grasses were collected from habitats across Manas beginning in Nov 2025 and raised in specially prepared nursery beds. Established in May 2026, the nursery is expected to support large-scale ecological restoration.

“Recent assessments indicate that the reserve has lost over 60% of its historical grassland cover during the last three and a half decades. Grasslands that once covered approximately 384 sq. km (45% of the landscape) in 1990 have declined to about 155 sq. km (18%) today, primarily due to invasive species, woodland encroachment, altered river dynamics and prolonged interruption of habitat management in earlier decades,” he added.

Ramesh said these alluvial grasslands support threatened wildlife, including the pygmy hog, Bengal florican, hispid hare, one-horned rhinoceros, wild water buffalo, swamp deer, Asian elephant and tiger. Nearly 6 sq km of grassland is lost annually, highlighting the need for urgent restoration.

He announced the release of 15 captive-bred pygmy hogs into the Kuribeel grasslands under the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme (PHCP).

“Thirty years ago, in 1996, six pygmy hogs were taken from this very site into captivity to establish an insurance population against extinction. Today, PHCP is bringing their descendants back to the same site where the conservation journey began,” he said.

Over the next five years, PHCP plans to release around 80 pygmy hogs to help rebuild a wild population of about 300 animals by 2040. The pygmy hog (Porcula salvania), the world’s smallest and rarest wild pig, remains critically endangered. This was the sixth release in Manas since 2020, taking the total to 78.

The reserve also honoured retiring camp elephants – Purnima and Promila – with a guard of honour, traditional gamosas and a ceremonial feeding programme.

“Both elephants have served the department for many years and have played an important role in wildlife protection and management activities across Manas’s landscape. They will continue to receive lifelong care and veterinary support under the forest department,” Ramesh added.

The event also marked the induction of new service elephants – Manalisa, Raja, Bubul, Bijoy, and Birshing – at Manas Tiger Reserve.