Nurturing the next generation of conservationists
GUWAHATI: In the shadow of the rich forests and grasslands of Orang Tiger Reserve, 90 school students spent two days discovering that conservation begins not in protected areas alone, but in the minds and actions of people.
The Summer Nature Camp 2026, organised by biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak in collaboration with the Orang National Park Authority and supported by the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF), brought together students at Vallabh Bhai Patel Higher Secondary School in Koupati, Orang, on July 11 and 12 for an intensive programme designed to nurture environmental awareness and inspire future custodians of nature.
Rather than relying on conventional classroom lectures, the camp adopted an interactive, activity-based approach that encouraged students to learn through discussions, demonstrations, quizzes, group exercises and practical sessions on biodiversity, wildlife conservation and sustainable living.
The opening day introduced participants to the concept of biodiversity and its vital role in sustaining healthy ecosystems. With Orang Tiger Reserve serving as a living classroom, students explored why conserving the landscape's rich wildlife and habitats is essential not only for animals but also for human well-being.
One of the highlights was a session on mapping technologies, where students learned how modern spatial tools are increasingly being used by conservationists to monitor habitats, track wildlife movements and support scientific management of protected areas. Interactive environmental games and an Orang Tiger Reserve quiz reinforced the day's lessons while making learning engaging and enjoyable.
The second day shifted focus to some of the lesser-understood inhabitants of the natural world. Through an informative session on snakes, students learned to distinguish venomous species from non-venomous ones while dispelling common myths and fears that often lead to unnecessary killing of snakes. They were also introduced to safe practices during snake encounters, promoting coexistence between people and wildlife.
The camp also highlighted one of India's rarest mammals—the endangered pygmy hog. Students learned about the tiny grassland specialist's ecological significance, its precarious conservation status and the importance of protecting the fragile grassland habitats associated with Orang Tiger Reserve.
Bird diversity formed another key component of the programme, with participants learning how birds serve as indicators of ecosystem health and why their conservation is closely linked with the protection of forests, wetlands and grasslands.
Recognising that environmental conservation extends beyond wildlife protection, the camp included an interactive session on pollution, examining different forms of environmental degradation, their impacts on ecosystems and human health, and the simple choices individuals can make to reduce their ecological footprint.
Learning was further strengthened through wildlife quizzes and a participatory exercise in which students classified everyday activities as environmentally responsible or environmentally harmful. The activity encouraged critical thinking while helping participants understand how daily decisions collectively influence environmental sustainability.
The camp was attended by Pradipta Baruah, Field Director of Orang Tiger Reserve, who encouraged students to become active partners in conservation efforts.
Expert sessions were conducted by Dr. Pranjit Sarmah, Assistant Professor of Mangaldoi College; senior journalist Swapan Nath; Arif Hussain, Senior Manager, Rhino Research and Conservation Division (RRCD), Aaranyak; Mousumi Das, Forester-I, Orang Tiger Reserve; and conservation educators Hirokjyoti Das and Sabrina Begum of Aaranyak.
The programme also received valuable support from Akash Morang of Aaranyak, local conservationists Khairul Basher and Baharul Islam, and teachers Utpal Deka and Abdul Rashid of Vallabh Bhai Patel Higher Secondary School.
Beyond imparting knowledge, the camp sought to cultivate curiosity, empathy and a sense of responsibility among young people living close to one of Assam's most important wildlife landscapes. As conservationists increasingly recognise that the future of protected areas depends on informed and engaged local communities, such initiatives are helping sow the seeds of stewardship among the generation that will inherit the responsibility of safeguarding Orang's extraordinary natural heritage.