Awareness campaigns on endangered birds

  • 07/05/2008

  • Assam Tribune (Guwahati)

The Department of Zoology, Margherita College, Margherita undertook series of awareness campaign programmes recently among the different target groups in the region regarding conservation of endangered flora and fauna with special reference to birds. This programme was initiated by the department to fulfill the project criteria, which was funded by Ministry of Environment & Forest, New Delhi in collaboration with Assam Science Society, Guwahati. The targeted groups were the students, teachers, local youths, tea garden dependants and general masses from various places such as Ketetong, Jagun, Dirok, Lekhapani, Dehing, Pionermill, Ledo, Borogolai, Namdang tea estate colony, Margherita tea estate colony and Margherita town, a release informed. The project team discussed various issues of birds' conservation like its status in environment, illegal hunting, capturing, smuggling, habitat loss, restoring the present habitat of birds and bird watching techniques among the target groups and discussed about their conservational strategies. A daylong field trip was carried out among the bird lovers of Margherita College at Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary led by Ranjan Kr. Das, senior lecturer, Department of Geography, Tinsukia College along with lecturers of the Department of Zoology, Marghrita College. The students were given field orientation on bird observation and its behaviour. To fulfill another important criterion of the project, an audio-visual show and interactive session was organised for different target groups at Margherita tea estate, Margherita College and Ketetong where educational materials were also distributed to the participants. At Ketetong Janajati High School, Ketetong, Sailendra Das, assistant teacher of Vivekanendra Kendriya Vidyalaya, Laipuli, Tinsukia conducted a slide show on the topic "endangered birds of Tinsukia district. He also discussed the ill effect of banned Diclofenac Sodium Injection (used in veterinary purposes) related with decline of vulture population. Manash Protim Gogoi, BA 1st year student of Margherita College also delivered a lecture on endangered birds of the region. Sunil Kumar Borah, lecturer, Department of Zoology, Margherita College explained purpose of the campaign and rendered the vote of thanks while Sarat Hazarika, headmaster of the school delivered the presidential address. In another similar awareness programme at Margherita tea estate, Ranjan Kumar Das spoke on birds fauna of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to the members of the tea garden working community. He also discussed on issues of illegal hunting of birds and measures. Ranjan also led the interaction session after his presentation and answered all the queries raised by the participants. Sailendra Das delivered a lecture on bird superstition and discussed on vulture conservation. Manas Protim Gogoi spoke on endangered birds fauna and Rajib Rudra Tariang, lecturer, Digboi College lectured on conservation of birds and other wild fauna of this region.