Guwahati, May 19: “The magnificent national parks (NPs) and the number of wildlife
sanctuaries (WLS) in Assam are not only treasure troves but also flag bearers of the
rich biodiversity on the region. The Forest Department in Assam leaves no stone
unturned in its sustained efforts to conserve these resourceful protected areas,” said
the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife), Government of Assam, Dr Vinay
Gupta while setting on the roll the 4th Orang Nature Camp, 2025 organised by premier
biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak in Orang National Park and Tiger
Reserve (ONP & TR) on Saturday.
Addressing the young students who have come to participate in the four-day
residential Nature Camp, Dr Gupta said such nature camp organised in a national park
and tiger reserve would provide them with a golden opportunity to learn lessons about
biodiversity by observing the nature staying in the lap of the nature.
The inauguration of the four-day Nature Camp which is being attended by 32 students
from six neighbouring high schools, was also attended by Field Director of Orang Tiger
Reserve Pradipta Baruah, Secretary General of Aaranyak Dr Bibhab Kumar Talukdar.
Field Director of the Tiger Reserve, Pradipta Baruah told the participating students and
the accompanying teachers how exciting and enlightening the were the previous three
such residential Nature Camps organised by Aaranyak in collaboration with the
authority on ONP&TR. He called upon the students to focus on what they were being
taught and shown during the nature camp as it will help them become a much better
and resourceful human being as the mother nature in a sea of knowledge and a greater
teacher.
Secretary General of Aaranyak, Dr Bibhab Kumar Talukdar expressed gratitude to
Assam Forest Department and the authority in ONP &TR for allowing Aaranyak to the
series of Nature Camp in the tiger reserve for the students from the neighbouring areas.
He also called upon the students to utilise their time in the residential camp with a
focus to learn what they are being taught by a number of experts on nature and
biodiversity as they are expected to carry that wisdom with them to be shared later
with their peers and family members so that the nature camp through them reach out
to a larger spectrum of people in the society.
The Nature Camp is being organised during May 17 to 20, by Aaranyak with support
from DSWF, UK to sensitise the participating students on the significance and
importance of biodiversity and nature, according to Arif Hussain, Manager in Rhino
Research and Conservation Division (RRCD) of Aaranyak and prime mover behind
organising a series of such nature camps over the years for students for promotion of
conservation of rhinos and tigers.
He informed that students have been pooled from neighbouring Sealmari High School,
Vallabhai Higher Secondary School, Bechimari ME Madrasa, Sankardev Jatiya Bidyalaya,
Keramot Ali ME School, Bosola High school and Fatasimolu ME School.
Besides the authority and forest officials and staff of the Orang Tiger Reserve, the camp
is being organised with support from acclaimed wildlife photographer Nejib Ahmed of
Wild Wings, senior journalist Swapan Nath, local wildlife enthusiast including Baharul
Islam.
A number of senior forest officials and environment experts are taking classes for the
participating students. There will be both indoor and outdoor sessions during the camp
besides a safari in the national park and tiger reserve for the students.