At the Highland Institute, we believe in science from the ground up. Our Citizen Science and Biodiversity Work initiatives empower communities—particularly in biodiversity-rich but ecologically vulnerable areas of Northeast India—to take an active role in monitoring, documenting, and conserving their local environments.
These initiatives are rooted in the recognition that indigenous and rural communities have long been stewards of biodiversity, possessing sophisticated ecological knowledge passed down through generations. Our work aims to bring this knowledge into dialogue with contemporary scientific tools and methods, creating more inclusive, locally grounded forms of environmental science.
Core Activities
Community Biodiversity Mapping:
- Residents collaborate with researchers to identify, map, and record plant and animal species in their local habitats. These maps form vital baselines for long-term ecological monitoring and education.
Participatory Conservation Initiatives:
- We support community-driven forest protection plans, seed banks, and local conservation bylaws developed in response to threats such as deforestation, mining, or water scarcity.
Training & Capacity Building:
- Through workshops and on-site trainings, participants are introduced to basic data collection techniques, GPS use, wildlife tracking, and climate observation — skills that enhance both community resilience and scientific collaboration.
Integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK):
- Projects foreground the importance of traditional ecological knowledge in understanding seasonal rhythms, species behaviour, and environmental change — insights often missing from top-down conservation approaches.
Recent and Ongoing Projects
- Earthkeepers (with IDRC Canada) — Focused on environmental education, climate resilience, and storytelling with children and elders in rural highland communities.
- MyCClimate (with Danish Institute of International Studies) — A participatory research initiative documenting community-level climate observations and responses in the Eastern Himalayas.
- Ekologos — Bringing together citizen scientists, researchers, artists, and educators to share tools and stories of ecological stewardship across highland Asia and beyond.
Why Citizen Science?
In a time of accelerated environmental change, we believe that local knowledge systems must be recognised not only as cultural heritage, but as essential resources for biodiversity protection and climate adaptation. By co-producing knowledge with communities, we can strengthen both science and sovereignty.
Want to get involved or start a project in your area?
We welcome collaborations with schools, community organisations, research institutions, and local governments.
info@highlandinstitute.org
The Highland Institute, Meluri Road, Kohima, Nagaland, India
The Highland Institute, Meluri Road, Kohima, Nagaland, India