From Our Correspondent
TURA: The Panda Forest Task Force, the Nengsra Community Conservation Reserve (CCR) management committee along with Lakhira Sangma and Nobin Sangma of Baghmara were awarded the Garo Hills Conservation Award 2012 on Thursday for their commitment and contribution towards wildlife and habitat protection, curbing hunting and combating the menace of wildlife pet keeping in South Garo Hills.
The Garo Hills Conservation Award was institutionalised in 2010 by the Samrakshan Trust during its tenth foundation day celebration.
All awardees were honoured at a function held at Deputy Commissioner’s conference hall at Baghmara. The DC South Garo Hills DD Sangma, graced the function as chief guest. The Panda Forest Task Force comprises of seven individuals who collectively apprehended illegal Bangladeshi loggers from inside the Baghmara Reserve Forest while felling trees.
Nengsra CCR Management Committee supervised planting of over 1500 saplings at Nengsra village thus contributing to the environmental cause.
Speaking on the occasion DC DD Sangma emphasised the need for a more collective community approach in developmental processes in the district. “Participatory community based land use planning in the region will ensure better protection of biodiversity of Garo Hills and sustainable livelihood,” he said. Meanwhile, Samrakshan also extended its appreciation to all the conservationists in Garo Hills during the function.