GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal asked Deputy Commissioner Kamrup, Kamal Kumar Baishya to use his administrative machinery along with Forest Department to undertake tree census and identify tress with specific numbers in Dadara, Pachariya and Singimari areas to help conservation of Assam’s Greater Adjutant Stork commonly known as Hargilla.
Sonowal while releasing a documentary on Assam’s Greater Adjutant Stork produced by a team of Cornwell University, USA in the conference room of his office chamber in Janata Bhawan on Tuesday, said that tall trees serve as suitable habitat for Hargilla. Keeping large number of tall trees will help in Hargilla conservation efforts and increase the population of this dying species. Sonowal also emphasised on an action plan for hargilla conservation so that ecological equilibrium can be maintained in the state.
It may be noted that because of the community efforts of Hargilla Army, the nests for the Greater Adjutant Stork has increased from 30 in 2008 to 171 in 2014. At present, the average nest number is 200, transforming Dadariya and Pachariya areas into the largest breeding colony of the Adjutant Stork. The conservation efforts have also resulted in substantial increase in the number of Hargilla population in Kamrup district.
The documentary depicts the pioneering work of how Hargilla Army became the first ever women led conservation movement of North East India. Chief Minister Sonowal assured all help to Hargilla Army in its noble endeavour. He also asked the members to generate large scale awareness among the people so that the conservation efforts transform into a mass movement and Assam becomes a springboard for Hargilla conservation.