Context
In April 2022, the Assam State Forest Department in India and ONF International signed a Parks and Biodiversity partnership with financial support from the French Development Agency (AFD).
This forms part of the Assam Project on Forest and Biodiversity Conservation (APFBC), funded by a loan from the AFD.
ONF International provides technical support to establish partnerships with experts and national parks involved in wildlife protection and nature conservation.
This project is co-financed by the AFD and ONF International.
Activities carried out
The main objectives of this project are the exchange of expertise and the sharing of experiences regarding the management of nature reserves.
The various aspects involved are:
- Biodiversity conservation, through the sharing of tools and techniques for the diagnosis and inventory of endangered species, strategies for forest conservation and restoration, and efforts to combat poaching.
- Development of sustainable tourism and strengthening of local economic activities, through the development of a sustainable tourism strategy, the establishment of a basic visitor management strategy, and communication and awareness-raising activities.
- Strengthening of governance inspired by French nature park governance models and the organisation of study tours to relevant parks.
Contribution from ONF International:
- Developing partnerships with the parks and mobilising French experts specialising in biodiversity and protected area management.
- Organising study tours to promote the sharing of experiences, practices and tools with managers and specialists in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Design and facilitate workshops to disseminate best practices within Assam’s protected areas.
- Coordinate a multilateral “country and stakeholder” approach, drawing on ONF International’s experience to catalyse cooperation and strengthen the collective implementation of actions.
The project in figures
3
Study visits conducted in the Indo-Pacific region: South Africa, France, Zimbabwe
2
Exchange and capitalisation events organised
20
Structures established to share expertise and strengthen the management of natural areas
59
Speakers, including 29 national experts (South Africa, Zimbabwe) and 30 French experts
Project details FEXTE Assam
Study visit to Zimbabwe
In February 2025, the FEXTE Assam programme led an Indian delegation to Zimbabwe to explore innovative models of protected area management. This mission, organised in collaboration with ZimParks, CIRAD and local stakeholders, provided an opportunity to learn about cross-border conservation within the Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) framework, as well as a variety of approaches: national parks, private ranches and community conservancies. Participants discussed anti-poaching efforts, habitat management, and practical solutions for human-wildlife coexistence, such as ‘chilli bricks’ to deter elephants. They also observed initiatives combining biodiversity protection, ecotourism and local development, offering inspiring ideas for Assam.
Immersion in Kruger National Park, South Africa
In September 2023, the first study visit of the FEXTE Assam programme took place at Kruger National Park, one of the largest in Africa. This immersion enabled the Indian delegation to understand SANParks’ practices regarding ecological monitoring, capture and veterinary care, anti-poaching efforts and ecotourism models. Discussions highlighted the importance of scientific research and technologies (GIS, remote sensing) for sustainable park management, as well as strategies to diversify tourism offerings and strengthen community involvement. This experience has opened up prospects for cooperation and the adaptation of these best practices to the Indian context.
Participants in the FEXTE Assam programme in front of the statue of Paul Kruger in Kruger National Park, South Africa, during a study visit focused on park management and anti-poaching efforts.
Delegation and park staff gathered at Main Camp, 5 February 2025.
Presentation of the SWM programme at the FAO office in Harare on 3 February 2025, as part of the FEXTE Assam study visit to share sustainable management solutions for protected areas.
Elephants visiting the park - Fexte Assam - South Africa
Presentation of the private conservation model in Bulawayo, 4 February 2025.
Simulation of human-wildlife conflicts, applied to Kaziranga National Park, 7 February 2025.
Planting trees in the park, 6 February 2025.
Meeting with the representative of the Mucheni Community Conservancy, 7 February 2025.
Expected results
- Institutional strengthening: consolidation of public policies for parks and biodiversity.
- Enhanced local capacity: training and skills development for foresters and managers.
- Sustainable partnerships: cooperation between Assam, France and other countries on the management of protected areas.
- Monitoring tools: establishment of knowledge systems and biodiversity monitoring.
- Social inclusion: greater consideration of local communities and indigenous peoples.
- Ecological connectivity: improvement of corridors and continuity of protected habitats.
- Technological innovation: use of digital solutions for management and monitoring.
- International outreach: sharing of best practices and French influence in ecological diplomacy.
- Budget
- 400 000€
- Partners
- Cirad, Natur X Pairs
- Beneficiaries
- Assam Forest Department
- Donor
- French Development Agency
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