1. SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT T he populations of humanity most affected by the profligate use of natural resources and the global rapacity for them are the citizens of the “third world”, and the 1ndigenous peoples everywhere. Among the most effective solutions to this inequity is the development of sustainable, alternative economies. Generally speaking, these are economic systems that operate with ecological congruity, i.e., sustainably, and provide goods and services that are renewable, low in embodied energy, and have an intrinsic value that is not as affected by fluctuation within the standard market. A few examples of these include low-impact, village-stay ecotourism; native fiber clothing manufacturing; micro banking and finance, and construction of furniture and art from discarded materials. We are working with grassroots and international social and environmental organizations, as well as universities, throughout southeast Asia (particularly within Bhutan, Nepal and India), to identify, develop, implement, and maintain sustainable, alternative economies. Feature Project: Manas Maozigendri Ecotourism Society (MMES) CIFAE Partner: AARANYAK, Inc., Assam, India History and Status M anas National Park (500 sq. km.) is located in foothills of the Bhutan Himalayas at 26°35'-26°50'N, 90°45'-91°15'E and is contiguous with Royal Manas National Park (1000 sq. km.), Bhutan. The Manas National Park is located at the junction of Indo-Gangatic, Indo- Malayan and Indo-Bhutan realms and is a key conservation area in the Jigme Dorji-Manas-Bumdaling conservation landscape in the eastern Himalayan eco-region (Wikramanayake et al. 2001). The National Park area is also the core area of Manas Tiger Reserve with a total area of 2837 sq. km., and is itself home to more than 500 elephants. I n February 1989 the park was occupied by numbers of insurgent groups, which were campaigning for autonomy of the Bodo people. Acts of arson, sabotage and murder of more than a dozen wildlife guards by insurgents resulted into the forced evacuation of sanctuary staff, leaving the park open to opportunistic professional poachers, timber smugglers and fringe villagers. As a result, a number of animals including rhinos, elephants and herbivores such as swamp deer and hog deer were hunted. However recent initiatives taken by the Forest department, local communities and NGOs have brought a ray of hope to recreate its past glory. T he Manas Maozigendri Ecotourism Society (MMES) is one such initiative that was formed in year 2003 to primarily focus on conservation and promotion of ecotourism in Manas. MMES with a local unit of All Bodo Students Union (ABSU), motivated more than 80 poachers to surrender. Currently a group of 27 ex-poachers have been engaged in monitoring and protection of threatened animals and its habitat in eastern range of Manas and adjoining reserve forest. As most of the camps and other infrastructure were damaged during the agitation, these groups are highly beneficial in minimizing the illegal activities in and around Manas. CIFAE, Inc. provided funding for camp reconstruction, and education and training for new conservation staff. In 2003, under Project Elephant, in efforts to increase support for elephant conservation, Manas was declared a portion of Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve and expanded to encompass an area of 2600 Sq. Km. “ T he MMES project is already providing many benefits to the people and wildlife in the area. The morale of MMES Conservation Staff has rebounded. Many young men from the surrounding villages who had once turned to poaching are now taking pride in their roles as wildlife “life guards”, and work diligently to protect the wildlife in Manas N.P., and Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve. MMES Staff are have also begun to improve their agricultural practices to diversify their economy, and to produce more food locally for themselves and the working elephants. Through awareness campaigns and meetings with village leaders, the awareness of people in the area has increased to the point that in some villages people immediately report any suspicious activities regarding wildlife and habitat to Forest Department and MMES officials. Finally, Staff and volunteers of MMES received extensive training in a reputable institute sustainable on ecotourism develop, with which they can use to establish sustainable local economies, thereby reducing the dependency of the local people on the elephant and its habitats.” Bibhuti P. Lahkar, PhD Funding for the Future Maintenance of MMES, Bhutan $5,000/year Male Madeshwara Hills Reserve Forest, Tamil Nadu/Karnataka, India (see poster)$5,000/year MMES new dinning hall for guests, students and visiting researchers. B. P. Lahkar Conservation Initiative for the Asian Elephant, Inc. Visit us at www.SaveElephantsNow.org or Write us at Contact@SaveElephantsNow.orgwww. 501(c)(3) public charity EID 22-3875149 CONSERVATION INITIATIVE FOR THE ASIAN ELEPHANT Established 2000 VISION A just, equitable and peaceful society in which elephant and human have the resources necessary to thrive. MISSION Conservation Initiative for the Asian Elephant’s mission is to identify and address issues of critical importance to the sustainability of the Asian elephant and the peoples sharing its habitat