Guwahati, May 15: It is a tough task to ensure protection of wildlife in a sanctuary that is located close to a bustling mega city given that such a wildlife habitat is obviously under constant anthropogenic pressure.
Surrounded by densely populated urban and peri-urban settlements, Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) is often referred to as the “lungs of Guwahati” for the critical ecological services it provides to the rapidly expanding city.
Spread across nearly 78.64 sq km along the Assam–Meghalaya border, the sanctuary harbours elephants, gaur, deer, small wild cats, rich birdlife and several other important species.
However, increasing human pressure and habitat fragmentation have intensified human-elephant conflict in the region, posing challenges for both wildlife and local communities. The Assam Forest Department personnel deployed in this sanctuary faces a daunting task of protecting the resources of the WLS.
Premier, biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak (www.aaranyak.org), with CSR support from Kirloskar Brothers Limited (KBL), on Thursday distributed essential field equipment to the Amchang Forest Division of the Assam Forest Department and local communities to strengthen wildlife protection and promote human-wildlife coexistence.
The support package included 20 ranger torch lights, 55 windcheaters, five SD cards and 18 pairs of field shoes for frontline forest staff engaged in night patrolling and emergency wildlife response operations in the elephant-rich sanctuary located on the outskirts of Greater Guwahati city.
Speaking at the programme, Forest Ranger Dhrubajyoti Das thanked Aaranyak and Kirloskar Brothers Limited (KBL) for the timely support, stating that the equipment would greatly improve the operational efficiency, morale and safety of forest guards engaged in demanding night-duty operations and wildlife monitoring activities.
Dr. Deba Kumar Dutta, Deputy Director of Aaranyak’s Rhino Research & Conservation Division, formally handed over the equipment and stressed the importance of strengthening grassroots conservation efforts.
“Equipping our frontline warriors with the right tools is as important as any conservation policy. Communities are the true custodians of our forests,” Dr. Dutta said.
He further emphasised that sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife can only be achieved through collective participation, community empowerment and scientific conservation interventions.
The programme was participated by about 50 persons including members of local community, members of the Gajah Mitra, Panchayat representatives, forest personnel and other stakeholders. Gajah Mitras Rajesh Rai, Lambu Paul and Chandra Sekhar Rai, forest guard Nayan Saikia, Aaranyak researcher Ujjal Bayan and official Seemanta Baishya were also present.
