Central India Landscape: Sloth Bear & Striped Hyena Conservation
Location: Korba, Bilaspur, Ambikapur & Surajpur districts, Chhattisgarh
A landscape-scale conservation initiative combining wildlife research, community engagement, and policy-facing evidence to safeguard sloth bears, striped hyenas, and forest ecosystems across 5,000 sq km of Central India.
​Project at a glance
5,000 sq km
landscape assessed across four districts
6 sq km
intensive wildlife habitat study area
1 Recon Report
submitted to the DFO
10-year GIS analysis
of forest encroachment completed
​About the project
The Central India Landscape program was initiated to address rising ecological pressures on forest ecosystems that support sloth bears, striped hyenas, and other wildlife in northern Chhattisgarh. Spread across approximately 5,000 square kilometres, this landscape is characterized by fragmented forests, expanding agriculture, and increasing human activity close to wildlife habitats.
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The project began with a clear gap: while wildlife presence was known anecdotally, systematic, evidence-based documentation of species distribution, habitat threats, and land-use change was missing. Without such evidence, effective conservation planning and policy engagement remained limited.
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To address this, The Nature People Network undertook field surveys, community consultations, GIS-based land-use analysis, and wildlife sign surveys. Findings were consolidated into a landscape reconnaissance report, which was formally submitted to the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Katghora, to support informed decision-making and future conservation interventions.
​How the Project Started
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Initial consultations with women’s Self Help Groups highlighted water scarcity, declining fish stocks, and livelihood stress.
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Repeated village meetings built consensus around conservation needs and local authority.
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NPN facilitated discussions on legal pathways, helping communities understand how Gram Sabhas could pass binding resolutions.
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A draft river constitution was shared, debated, locally modified, and adopted
​Our approach
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Facilitated Gram Sabha–led sanctuary declarations grounded in constitutional authority
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Drafted and translated river constitutions with community inputs
Supported rules on:
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No plastic dumping or river pollution
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Ban on sand mining and illegal construction
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Protection of native fish and turtle species
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Regulated grazing and sustainable fishing
Enabled convergence with government schemes for employment and restoration
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Prioritised women’s leadership and SHG participation at every stage
​Outcomes and Impact
​Ecological
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Reduction in riverbank dumping and invasive plant spread
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Protection of fish, amphibians, and turtle habitats
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Initiation of floodplain restoration and native planting
Social & Livelihood
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A free health camp supported over 150 families, providing medical services worth ₹80,000
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MNREGA-linked river cleanups created employment for ~20% of village households
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Establishment of a horticulture plot employing 20 villagers on permanent salaries
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Women SHG members formed river patrol groups to monitor illegal activities
Institutional
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Strengthened Gram Panchayat authority over ecological governance
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Created a replicable constitutional template for other villages
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Enabled district administration engagement post-declaration
​Partners and Community
This project was led by village councils of Belgahana, Bhakurra Nawapara, and Bardwar, with strong leadership from women’s Self Help Groups. Support came from local doctors, district authorities, MNREGA officials, and research collaborators.
The sanctuary exists not because of external enforcement, but because the community chose stewardship.
​Challenges and Learnings
Building trust required time, repeated dialogue, and visible action
Translating legal language into locally meaningful rules was essential
Conservation gains strengthened only when paired with health, livelihoods, and dignity
Women emerged as the most consistent and effective conservation allies
​What's Next
Expansion of sanctuary declarations to upstream and downstream villages
Long-term ecological monitoring of fish, turtles, and water flows
Strengthening river-linked livelihoods such as sustainable fisheries and eco-tourism
Policy engagement to scale Panchayat-led river sanctuaries across India