Community-based approaches for wildlife conservation and livelihood options: a case study from Dampa Tiger Reserve, Mizoram, India COMMENT

The traditional practice of shifting cultivation in Mizoram, India is linked to the ecological, socio-economic and cultural lives of the over 86% of its population. Negative impacts are devastating and degrade the environment and ecology, a major concern in conservation biology such as large-scale deforestation, soil erosion, invasion by weeds and exotic species. Studies provide information on the nature and extent due to anthropogenic pressures on species diversity. Active participation of locals is pivotal. Workshops and awareness programmes were conducted with alternative livelihoods to reduce forest dependency. Efforts are on by educating people on preserving tropical forests at the Dampa Tiger Reserve, Mizoram.