GUWAHATI: A select group of women conservation leaders from across the globe has converged in this city to share their experience and network among themselves to flag the women’s role in the ‘save earth effort’ of the 21st century that finds mother nature in a crucial phase.
Women in Nature Network’s (WiNN), India chapter has been chosen to host the 4th Annual Global Networking Event from January 29 to 31 here under the aegis of Aaranyak, a nature conservation and research organisation that has remained focused on its goal since 1989.
Leanne Alonso of WiNN has appealed to the Indian women to come together on one platform and work for natural resource management.
“The theme of the event is ‘Empowering women for nature conservation: Connecting and inspiring women globally,” said Aaranyak’s conservation leader and WiNN India Director, Purnima Devi Barman.
Inaugurating the landmark event in a city hotel here on January 29 night, Assam Governor, Prof Jagadish Mukhi said, “Earth’s resources are today facing an existential threat and women must take the decision-making role in the management and conservation of natural resources. Many woman conservationists will get a platform with WiNN to work with each other.”
President of Aaranyak, Ranjan Bhuyan felicitated the Governor with a citation at the event.
Welcoming the dignitaries and participants, the CEO of Aaranyak, Dr Bibhab Kumar Talukdar said “It is a landmark in the journey of Aaranyak which is enthused by the opportunity to host this important meeting of WiNN along with valued local collaborators – Kamrup District Administration, Kamrup District Police and Assam Forest Department.
“Women have been playing an important role in conservation right from the household level to the global level. It is always the mother or the grandmother who first teaches us to keep natural surroundings vibrant, love domesticated animals like our siblings and take care of plants.
Aaranyak has been encouraging women with penchant for nature to be part of its journey that started way back in 1989. Our experience with women conservation workers has been tremendous.”
The participants of the event are from different countries like Guyana and Argentina in South America, from Honduras and Mexico in Central America and from the USA. It is having significant representation from neighbouring Nepal and Bhutan, as well as Vietnam.
Superintendent of Police of Kamrup district, Partha Sarothi Mahanta, lauded Aaranyak and Purnima’s untiring efforts to protect and preserve the treasure trove of Greater Adjutant Stork species at Dadara, Pachariya and Singimi villages.
“It was a pleasant surprise for me when sometime in 2010, Purnima Devi Barman came to my office and straightway sought my help in conservation of GAS species at her project site. It was a unique request in my long career in policing. My visit to the site convinced me about Aaranyak’s sincerity and dedication. Now it has become a standard practice for Kamrup police to help Purnima and her team rescue GAS species/ falling nests and take those to State Zoo hospital for rehabilitation. Purnima commands tremendous support from community women at the site.”
Over 50 rural woman conservationists from Kamrup district’s Dadara Pachariya Singimari village were present at the inaugural ceremony. This brave group of over 200 women has attracted global attention as the ‘Hargila Army’.
A.M. Singh, PCCF and Head of Forests Forces of Assam appreciated that such an international events took place in Guwahati and mentioned that Assam Forest Department had been working to strengthen the role of women in conservation.
Mrs. Ranjana Gupta, Special PCCF (Wetland), Assam opined that in Indian system, proactive part of women has been put into different government initiatives enabling them to play a proactive role in different spheres of environment.
WiNN which was founded in 2013, is working to develop a global learning community of women in order to create and support a future generation of environmental leaders.