MMES: Community Conservation Around Manas

The short answer

Manas Maozigendri Ecotourism Society: what visitors should know first

Worth knowing about even if you only meet its guides. Check what visitor programmes are running before you plan, and treat it as a way to understand how Manas recovered rather than as a fixed attraction.

History and context

The story behind Manas Maozigendri Ecotourism Society

MMES was formed in December 2003 after the All Bodo Students' Union ceased to be a suitable platform for conservation work, and a Conservation Volunteer Force was created that included former poachers.

It has run awareness campaigns in schools and villages and has supported weaving and livelihood training, according to published accounts.

Useful facts

Manas Maozigendri Ecotourism Society facts at a glance

Location: Villages on the Bansbari and Kokilabari side of Manas
Founded: December 2003
Experience type: Community conservation and ecotourism
Known for: Employing former poachers as conservation volunteers
Visitor note: Programmes vary; check before you go

Why it matters

Why Manas Maozigendri Ecotourism Society is worth your time

Manas shows how conservation can work when local people are part of it. MMES grew out of the Bodo movement and shifted its energy to protecting the park, bringing former poachers into patrol and guiding roles.

The approach has been recognised in UNESCO reports, according to local reporting, and it offers alternative income through ecotourism and crafts. It is not without risk: one account describes an attack on a society camp in 2012. Visitors who support community-run services, rather than treating them as a show, help sustain this work.

Highlights

What not to miss

01
Ex-poachers as guides
The society's staff include former poachers who now protect the park.
02
Weaving and crafts
Women's groups run weaving and livelihood programmes.
03
Eco camp
A society-run camp at Kokilabari has been listed for visitors.

Plan your visit

How to experience it

The society, usually shortened to MMES, was formed in December 2003 by local youth, with former poachers recruited as field staff and volunteers. Its work includes anti-poaching patrols, awareness programmes and livelihood projects, including weaving training for women. One travel guide listed eco camp cottages run by the society at Kokilabari, though visitor arrangements may have changed.

If you want to meet the people behind the story, ask your lodge whether MMES guides or programmes are available and how to support them. A short conversation with a guide who used to be a hunter can say more about Manas than a day of sightings.

Be respectful in the villages. Ask before photographing people, buy crafts directly from weavers where possible, and do not expect a polished tourist programme. The point is to understand the community side of conservation.

Plan with confidence

Small decisions that make the visit easier.

Ask your lodge about current programmes
Buy crafts directly from makers
Ask before photographing people
Do not expect fixed timings

Know before you go

Timing, access and comfort

Area: Villages around the Bansbari and Kokilabari side of Manas
Time needed: 1-2 hours
Best time: November to February
Walking level: Easy
Senior comfort: Mostly seated or easy walking in villages, though facilities vary. Check where each programme is held and how far it is from vehicle access.
Tickets and access: Visiting arrangements are not fixed. Programmes and camps have changed over time, so check directly with the society or your lodge before you plan around them.

Best for

Conservation-minded travellersCulture seekersSlow travellersFamilies

Plan it with

Bansbari Range and GateThe main entry point to Manas National Park, near Barpeta Road, and the base for most jeep safaris. Entry fees are paid at the range office, where a ranger joins your vehicle.Places to visit · Half a day to a full day Bansbari LodgeA lodge just outside the Bansbari gate, listed in travel guides as the main accommodation near the park entrance, with simple double rooms and meals.Hotels and stays · Overnight stay Jeep Safari in ManasThe standard way to see Manas: a ranger-escorted open-jeep drive through grassland and forest, with morning and evening slots in the Bansbari and Bhuyanpara ranges.Places to visit · 3-4 hours per drive

Plan the practical part

Hotels near Manas Maozigendri Ecotourism Society

Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.

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Travelling with parents?

Mostly seated or easy walking in villages, though facilities vary. Check where each programme is held and how far it is from vehicle access.

Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.

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Map

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FAQs

What is MMES?

A community conservation society formed in December 2003 by local youth in the Manas area, which employs former poachers as volunteers.

Can visitors stay with them?

Eco camp cottages run by the society have been listed at Kokilabari, but check current availability.

Why does it matter?

It shows how community involvement helped Manas recover after years of poaching and unrest.

Sources and further reading

Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.