Guwahati, September 25, 2023: The Department of Zoology, University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) in collaboration with Assam State Zoo cum
Botanical Garden, Guwahati celebrated World Rhino Day in the state zoo premises to spread awareness and educate people about these vulnerable ungulates and the danger they are facing.
On 22nd September, students of various colleges and USTM participated in a social
awareness rally with slogans on placards featuring the importance and issues of rhino and
wildlife conservation.
Dr. Ashwini Kumar, Divisional Forest Officer, Assam State Zoo addressed the audience on
various conservative issues for rhinos in the wild and in zoos in and around the country.
The inaugural address was delivered by Dr. Anwaruddin Choudhury, retired Commissioner and Secretary to Government of Assam. Based on his rich knowledge on the fauna of North- East India, Dr Choudhury spoke on the present status and future of rhinos in Assam.
A talk was also delivered by Dr. Narayan Sharma, Assistant Professor, Department of
Environmental Biology and Wildlife Sciences, Cotton University who highlighted the various
issues faced by wildlife in general and ways of tackling the same.
Address was also made by Deepjyoti Keot, a renowned TV actor, who strongly emphasized the social accountability of people towards wildlife in general.
The expert opinions were followed by the address of Dr. B. K. Das, Pro Vice-Chancellor,
USTM who spoke about the social responsibility of USTM towards conserving the habits and
habitats of fauna in and around the region. He also spoke on the outcome of the programme and how it would benefit society.
A social awareness rally with all the invited students of various colleges and students of
USTM was held where slogans on placards showcased the importance and issues of rhinos
and wildlife in general.
Various competitions were also organized by the department in the
zoo premises for drawing, photography, and quiz among the invited students and general
public for which certificates and prizes were distributed on the spot.