Bongaigaon, Assam, 16 August 2026: A seven-day workshop titled “Craft for Conservation: Empowering Communities through Handicrafts for Golden Langur Conservation” concluded on 16 August at Bhawariyapara Village, Bamungaon, Bongaigaon. The initiative was organised by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), with support from the Royal Enfield Social Mission and the Assam Forest Department, in collaboration with Zankla Studio.

The week-long workshop brought together 20 women from across five villages, including Amtola, Bhawariyapara, Solmari, Simlaguri and Parea Para, providing them with practical handicraft skills while connecting livelihood opportunities with wildlife conservation.

The villages were selected for their proximity to and ecological connection with golden langur habitats. Golden langurs from the surrounding forest areas move through and use the landscape around these villages, making local communities an important part of conservation efforts. Recognising this connection, WTI is engaging communities living in these landscapes to encourage their active participation in golden langur conservation. By linking livelihood opportunities such as handicrafts with conservation awareness, the initiative seeks to build a stronger sense of local stewardship and create community-level support for the long-term protection of the species and its habitat.

Mr. Kirat Brahma, Director of Zankla Studio guiding the participants in embroidery techniques | Photo © Dhanjit Baruah /WTI

The training was facilitated by Mr. Kirat Brahma, Director of Zankla Studio and Foundation, and his team, who provided hands-on training, guidance and monitoring throughout the workshop. Participants were primarily trained in embroidery and crochet, with a special focus on developing handicraft products inspired by the iconic golden langur.

As part of the workshop, participants created golden langur inspired embroidery designs on tote bags and crocheted key rings and other souvenirs. Along with practical handicraft skills, participants were introduced to basic aspects of product design, packaging and marketing, particularly in relation to wildlife, local attractions and tourism.

The initiative seeks to create opportunities for women artisans to connect their creative skills with conservation storytelling. While the area is not heavily dependent on forest resources for livelihoods, the initiative aims to create alternative livelihood opportunities and develop a local network of artisan conservation ambassadors. By creating products inspired by the Golden Langur and sharing its story, local women can play a unique role in amplifying awareness about the species and its conservation.

Work in progress: a crochet golden langur key chain | Photo © Dhanjit Baruah /WTI

Speaking about the initiative, WTI Field Officer Dhanjit Baruah said the seven-day workshop at Bamungaon Bhawariyapara brought together 20 women from villages across the surrounding landscape. He added that sustainable livelihoods can help build stronger local partnerships for the long-term protection of the species and its habitat.

Mr. Kirat Brahma, Director of Zankla Studio, highlighted the potential of the initiative to link handicrafts with conservation and tourism. He noted that the workshop provided local women with an opportunity to develop skills that could eventually be used to create products inspired by the Kakoijana golden langur landscape. Such locally made products could offer visitors a meaningful connection to the region while supporting livelihoods and contributing to long-term golden langur conservation.

One of the participants from Kakaijana, showcasing her handmade embroidery tote bag | Photo © Dhanjit Baruah /WTI

The workshop also provided participants with an opportunity to understand the relationship between craft and conservation, while building their confidence and introducing them to marketing opportunities linked to wildlife and local tourism attractions. Participants learned how local wildlife and cultural identity can be incorporated into products that can potentially serve as souvenirs and conservation communication tools.

WTI plans to provide opportunities for the participants to display and exhibit their products in the future. Zankla Studio has also expressed interest in the refinement and development of the Golden Langur tote bag samples, opening the possibility of further product development.

One of the participants, Smt. Ranju Ray, a resident of Kakoijana village in Bongaigaon district, appreciated the initiative as an opportunity to learn new skills while contributing to conservation. She expressed hope that these skills would help women become more self-reliant while supporting golden langur conservation.

At the conclusion of the workshop, each participant was provided with basic toolkits and raw materials to support them in continuing their handicraft work beyond the training. WTI will continue to monitor and support the participants as they develop their skills and work towards producing conservation-themed handicrafts. The “Craft for Conservation” initiative represents an effort to bring together women’s empowerment, sustainable livelihood opportunities, local craftsmanship, tourism and wildlife conservation, creating new avenues for communities to become active partners in protecting the Golden Langur and its landscape.