North East India’s premier research-based biodiversity conservation organisation, Aaranyak (www.aaranyak.org) organised various programme including an outreach programme at Salbari College in Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) in Assam on the occasion of World Wildlife Day on March 3 to raise awareness level on the need for sustained conservation of wildlife.

The programme was organised in collaboration with WWF India, MEWS and Salbari College where Asom Gourav Dharanidhar Boro took part in the plantation drive organised in the college premises.

Purpose and objective of the World Wildlife Day was explained by Kartik Sarkar of MEWS while Deba Kumar Dutta of WWF India spoke on ‘Recovering heritage of Manas and Rhino conservation’ in the programme.

Asom Gourav Dharanidhar Boro delivered a lecture on ‘Culture and Conservation- How traditional practices contribute in conservation of nature’ and Gayatri Dutta of Tiger Research & Conservation Division, Aaranyak spoke on ‘Role and contributions of women in conservation of nature’. Lakhshyajyoti Das, ACS, Addl. Deputy Commissioner cum I/C of Salbari Sub-division addressed and interacted with the participants on consciousness of youths in conservation of nature. Nearly 150 students, teachers, and non-teaching staff members of Salbari College attended the event.

Another programme for the occasion was organised by Aaranyak on the theme ‘Recovering key species for ecosystem restoration’ in collaboration with the village school, Hemai Lekthe, Kohora in Karbi Angling in the school campus.

An art competition was organised for the school students which were divided into two groups – Group 1 (Class K.G -3) and Group 2(Class 4-7). A total of 35 students participated in the competition from different villages like Phumen Engti, Chandrasing Rongpi and Hemai Lekthe. The students were enlightened on wildlife and its importance. Sumon Toppo, the principal of the school graced the event and encouraged the students to acquire penchant for conservation of
nature and wildlife.

Simultaneously, about 10-12 members of Langkiri Self Help Group in collaboration with Aaranyak organised a boundary plantation as a part of the Agroforestry initiative by planting saplings in their village, to mark the celebration of World Wildlife Day.

Celebrating the day, Aaranyak in collaboration with Prajanma organised an awareness programme at Kamargaon Regional Journalist Association office. Dipsikha Kalita, Assistant Professor at Kamargaon College, inaugurated the meeting. Officer In-Charge of Kamargaon Police station spoke on wildlife protection as a whole.

Aaranyak’s Coordinator of Central Assam Zone, Arif Hussain presented visuals of various wildlife species of Kaziranga National Park. Through a visual presentation, Dr. Samsul Ali, Veterinary Officer of Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation, Borjuri, Kaziranga, discussed several aspects of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.

One of Aaranyak’s teams, led by acclaimed conservationist Dr Purnima Devi Barman, held various events on the occasion for promoting common women as wildlife conservationists and girl child in Hajo and Singimari in Kamrup district of Assam.