HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Aug 1: Aaranyak in association with CRMH School organised a field equipment handing over ceremony in collaboration with Dolamara Range of forest department, adjacent to Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve on Sunday.
Aaranyak provided torch lights and field shoes to about 31 frontline forest staff of the Forest department working adjacent to Kaziranga NP and Tiger Reserve.
The field equipment was sponsored by Kirloskar Ebara Pump Limited (KEPL). Dr. M. Firoz Ahmed, head of Tiger Research and Conservation Division of Aaranyak, welcoming the invited dignitaries mentioned about the purpose of the brief event.
Addressing the meeting, ACF of Dolamara range Peopled Kro stressed that though fewer in numbers, the staff of Karbi Anglong Forest department will be further encouraged to secure the animals and their habitats, particularly those marooned by the monsoon flood. He thanked Aaranyak for supporting the staff with the basic patrol items.
Aaranyak chief executive officer (CEO) Dr. Bibhab Kumar Talukdar mentioned that Aaranyak will continue its efforts to work closely with forest officials of Kaziranga NP and Karbi Anglong Forest department to complement the efforts of the forest official to secure this key conservation landscape.
Kaziranga Tiger Reserve field director P Sivakumar expressed his gratitude towards Aaranyak for the support provided to the staff of Karbi Anglong forests and mentioned the various aids Kaziranga Tiger Reserve Authorities provided to the Dolamara range for protection of animals.
He highlighted the importance of the staff of the area to ensure protection of not only wild animals but also the check felling of valuable trees that may lead to loss of habitats.
The meeting was also attended by Ramesh Gogoi, divisional forest officer (DFO) of Eastern Assam Wildlife Division and Bibhuti Ranjan Gogoi, Range officer of Kohora range, Swapan Kumar Nath, senior journalist.
Arif Hussain, Sarlongjon Teron, Sourav Gupta, Ajay Angu and Rowel Engti of Aaranyak coordinated the programme with the support of the forest staff.