In 2017, they set aside 17 sq.km of their community forest as a legally protected reserve. Subsequently, they increased the area to 32 sq.km in 2021.
This forest patch consititutes the principal home of the critically endangered Bugun Liocichla, containing most of the known global population of the species.
Recognising the importance and generosity of this gesture, the jury of the India Biodiversity Awards - consisting of the Govt of India and the United Nations Development Programme - gave the 2018 award to the Buguns of Singchung village.
