Guwahati, January 20 : Biodiversity Conservation and Research Organisation, Aaranyak (www.aaranyak.org) today provided four motorcycles meant for use in four ranges of newly-notified Raimona National Park in Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) of Assam with the objective to complement the on-going efforts of the Forest Department to improve infrastructure and wildlife protection in the Park.
The motorcycles were handed over to the authority of the National Park in a function held under the aegis of Kachugaon Forest Division in Gossaingaon Sub-division of Kokrajhar district of the state.
Addressing the function, a senior conservation scientist from Aaranyak, Dr. Bibhuti P Lahkar who coordinated the Aaranyak’s initiative, underlined numerous management measures required to be undertaken to upgrade the infrastructure and other facilities in the newly-notified Raimona National Park to make it a successful conservation story in years to come.
Appreciating Aaranyak’s gesture of providing motorcycles, Bhanu Singha, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Kachugaon Forest Division said that infrastructure development in the park was crucial for ensuring long-term conservation of wildlife resources.
These motorcycles, he added, would facilitate movement of forest personnel in the park and be of great help in conducting conservation-related activities.
D.D. Boro, OSD, BTR, Forest & Tourism, said a collaborative approach involving multiple stakeholders was critical to achieve success in conservation of Raimona National Park. He pointed out that Aaranyak’s contribution to the development of the Manas National Park had been very significant, and expected proportionate contribution of Aaranyak towards development and conservation of Raimona National Park as well.
The Council Head of the Department (Forest), Anurag Singh, IFS pointed out that the contribution of NGOs is always very important as coordination and cooperation among the forest department, NGOs, and local people hold key to successful conservation of a National Park.
He further said habitat restoration and strengthening protection measures were essential for Raimona National Park for which a proper management plan was required for the park.
He underlined the need for capacity building and skill-based trainings for the frontline staff at Raimona National Park.
Three of the motorbikes have sponsored by Kirloskar Ebara Pumps Limited (KEPL) while the fourth one has been by Aaranyak from its own resources.
Aaranyak has been supporting national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Assam with the necessary equipment to complement on-going conservation efforts.
The motorcycle handing over event was attended by Dr Dilip Chetry, Vice President and senior scientist with Aaranyak and Dr. Dipankar Lahkar, a conservation biologist of Aaranyak. Other official of Aaranyak present during the meeting were Pranab Goswami, Prosenjit Sheel, Gayatri Dutta, Ivy Farheen Hussain, Amit Dewry, Ajay Basumatary and Pranit Basumatary.