School children engaged in wildlife week at Raimona National Park

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 10, 2024

The premier biodiversity conservation organization Aaranyak and Raimona National Park in Assam came together to celebrate Wildlife Week 2024 on October 5 at the Central Range, Kachugaon, in collaboration with the Kachugaon Division.

The event was attended by key figures such as Bhanu Sinha, Divisional Forest Officer of Kachugaon Division; Biswajit Basumatary, Deputy Range Officer of Sanfan Range; Dibash Sarkar, chairman of the Kachugaon Village Council Development Committee; and teachers Pulukesh Roy and Nijwm Kr Brahma from Kachugaon Public School.

During the programme, Bhanu Sinha delivered a talk highlighting the significance of Wildlife Week, underscoring the crucial role that forests play in the conservation of wildlife. He emphasized the importance of protecting these biodiverse ecosystems for the sustenance of various wildlife species, which are integral to maintaining ecological balance. The event aimed to raise awareness about the need to conserve biodiversity, particularly in and around Raimona National Park, one of the key biodiversity hotspots in the region.

A total of 37 students from Kachugaon Public School (classes 8-10) participated in the event, along with Gaon Burhas (village elders) and community members from neighbouring villages of the Central Range.

The event aimed to raise awareness about biodiversity conservation and the importance of cooperation between humans and wildlife, particularly around the biodiverse Raimona National Park.

As part of the celebrations, the students engaged in a wildlife-themed poster workshop. Seven groups were formed, each assigned a specific animal to depict under the guidance of a teacher. After creating their posters, the groups presented their work and interacted with the audience. The best three groups were selected for their creativity and message.

The event was moderated by Momita Narzary of Aaranyak, with support from Binod Deuri, Stephen Basumatry, and Birdutta Baro. Dr. Dipankar Lahkar, Senior Manager and Conservation Biologist at Aaranyak coordinated the program and moderated the poster presentations. The event concluded with a certificate and prize distribution ceremony to honour the participants and winners.

India celebrates Wildlife Week annually from October 2 to October 8, to raise awareness about wildlife protection, biodiversity conservation, and preserving natural habitats for future generations.