Exploring Biodiversity in the Foothills of the Eastern Himalayas

A National Workshop and Educational Tour in Buxa Tiger Reserve, West Bengal

3rd – 27th October 2025 | Alipurduar, West Bengal

Nature’s Beckon recently hosted a National Workshop on Biodiversity Conservation in Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks of Assam and North Bengal, offering a unique field-based learning experience to students from the PG & Research Department of Botany, B. Borooah College (Autonomous), Guwahati. The program took place across the lush landscapes of Buxa Tiger Reserve in Alipurduar, West Bengal.

The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Sarit Kumar Chaudhuri, Vice Chancellor of Alipurduar University, whose address inspired participants to engage deeply with the conservation ethos of the region. Sri Soumyadeep Datta, Director of Nature’s Beckon, extended gratitude to the distinguished guests and emphasized the organization’s mission to nurture young environmental leaders through immersive learning in nature.

Throughout the workshop, students interacted with eminent resource persons including Dr. Rupan Sarkar, Dr. Utpal Chowdhury, Dr. Hemen Chandra Majumdar, and Dr. Jurimoni Shyam, who highlighted the ecological, cultural, and historical significance of the Duars region. Discussions revolved around biodiversity conservation, communication skills, mental empowerment, and the philosophy of nature-centered living.

Hands-on learning formed the heart of the program. Students trekked through dense forests and serene villages on a 30 km expedition from Buxa Road 28 Basti to Lepchakha, a picturesque Drukpa village near the Indo-Bhutan border. En route, they visited the historic Buxa Fort, once a colonial prison that held freedom fighters including Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The trek, led by Sri Kripalochan Das and supported by Sri Ramkumar Lama and nature guides, allowed participants to study the region’s diverse flora, fauna, and cultural ecology firsthand.

A visit to the Jayanti River and a jeep safari through the Buxa Tiger Reserve further enriched the field experience. Students witnessed elephants, gaurs, barking deer, and numerous bird species while learning about forest structure, riparian ecosystems, and the fragile interdependence of life in the Himalayan foothills.

The workshop concluded with student presentations summarizing their observations and learnings, guided by Smt. Novanita Sharma, Guwahati Coordinator of Nature’s Beckon. She emphasized the importance of youth participation in environmental stewardship and the enduring legacy of Nature’s Beckon’s conservation movement in Assam.

The program, attended by 52 students and three faculty members, received generous support from the Buxa Tiger Project, local communities, and Nature’s Beckon volunteers.

As the students departed from Buxa, they carried not only field notes and photographs—but also a renewed conviction to protect and preserve the living heritage of India’s forests.