Arunachal Pradesh, home to five of India’s nine hornbill species, three of which are globally threatened and all of which enjoy the highest legal protection under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, has taken a significant step towards wildlife conservation by initiating a Hornbill Conservation Action Plan, with the vision of becoming a ‘Land for Hornbills’ by 2047.

Hornbills are known as the ‘farmers of the forest’ because of their vital role in seed dispersal and natural forest regeneration, making them indispensable to healthy ecosystems.

In Arunachal, beyond their ecological role, hornbills hold deep cultural and traditional importance for many indigenous communities.

However, despite conservation efforts by communities, hornbill populations continue to face serious threats from habitat degradation, forest fragmentation and hunting. Therefore, efforts like the one being mooted are a step in the right direction.

The draft conservation plan is expected this year, with the final action plan scheduled for completion early next year, providing a long-term roadmap for coordinated hornbill conservation across the state.

Communities, conservationists and the government must come together to develop a workable and effective action plan that is also practical.