An animated interaction with media persons on biodiversity conservation and ways for human-wildlife coexistence at the conference hall of All Bodo Small Tea Growers’ Association at Dimakuchi in Udalguri district of Assam on June 19 was an extremely enlightening experience for a team of Aaranyak led by senior conservation scientist Dr Bibhuti Prasad Lahkar because of valuable feedback provided by media persons on local issues related to biodiversity conservation as well as on the issue of human-elephant conflict (HEC) in Udalguri district.
The interaction which was graced by the DFO of Dhansiri Forest Division, Dibakar Das as the chief guest, was initiated by a lucid presentation by Dr Lahkar on the status of HEC at the global and local levels, issues concerning HEC mitigation and facilitation of coexistence and the key role the media can play in this regard.
The DFO Das harped on the positive cooperation that is expected from the media as well as non-government organisations for facilitating a concerted effort for conservation of biodiversity and coexistence of human and wildlife.
A senior manager in Aaranyak, Jayanta Kumar Pathak made a substantive presentation while discussing with media persons on the wide spectrum of biodiversity issues and their wide ranging implications. He also highlighted how important every species of flora and fauna for conservation of the biodiversity the progeny in the light of ‘One Health’ principle.
An Executive Member and a documentation consultant in Aaranyak, Bijay Sankar Bora during his interaction with the media highlighted how the media persons based anywhere on this planet can now magnify any critical biodiversity conservation issue using the digital advantage and make them trending global issues taking advantage of the ‘one earth one health’ spirit. He a reasonable media with passion for conservation is what is globally needed at this critical juncture.
The programme started with opening remarks of Aaranyak senior official Anjan Baruah who explained the objective of the interaction that was being held under the aegis of Dhansiri Forest Division, Aaranyak, Dimakuchi e-Media forum, Tangla Press Club, Media Club Tangla and Udalguri Press Guild. It was supported by SBI Foundation and US Fish & Wildlife Service.
Senior journalist Pawan Nath appreciated organization of such an interaction on biodiversity conservation and human animal coexistence at Dimakuchi and said that media persons from the area have been proactively highlighting conservation and human animal coexistence issues.
Senior journalist Musadik Hussain participating in the discussion explained in detail the history of presence of wild elephants in Udalguri district and the causes that have precipitated the raging HEC as on date. He underlined the need for strong political will for restoration of traditional elephant habitats in the area to resolve the crisis.
Aaranyak staff members based in Dimakuchi – Rabiya Daimari, Dibakar Naik, Reshma Narzary, Abhijit Saikia along with intern Ajay Salve of Azim Premji University played a key role in organizing the media interaction successfully at a short notice.