Guwahati, June 3: “Wild animals from protected areas which survive flood are often healthy individuals that
are capable of contributing significantly towards sustaining and strengthening wild populations. So, it is
very important to put up best possible efforts for rescuing wildlife during flood,” said Ritupawan Borah,
DFO of Biswanath Wildlife Division, Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.
The senior Forest official while addressing a group of 30 community volunteers at Central range, Biswanath
Ghat during “Field Gear Distribution and Interaction on Flood Preparedness” programme on June 2 stressed
that these flood-hit animals are valuable components of the ecosystem and deserve protection and care.
The programme was organised in collaborative mode by Aaranyak (www.aaranyak.org), Biswanath
Wildlife Division (BWLD), Kaziranga Tiger Reserve, with support from the David Shepherd Wildlife
Foundation (DSWF).
The 30 community volunteers participating in the programme play vital roles in wildlife conservation, flood
preparedness, and rescue efforts during emergency situations.
As part of the programme, 30 volunteers were provided with rechargeable torchlights and raincoats to
bolster their capacity to respond effectively during the flood-time emergencies when wildlife is under stress.
Besides the DFO Ritupawan Borah, the programme was attended Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF)
Nayan Jyoti Gogoi, Range Officer Niharika Gogoi, Aaranyak officials Dr. Deba Kr. Dutta, Arif Hussain,
Ujjwal Bayan, and Abhinab Bordoloi, and consultants Dr. Khanin Changmai and Sabrina Begum.
Welcoming the participants, Arif Hussain highlighted the importance of community participation in
conservation, sought continued cooperation of local villagers and gave an outline of the awareness and
outreach activities planned for fringe villages.
Conservation scientist Dr Deba Kr. Dutta, Deputy Director of Rhino Research and Conservation Division
(RRCD) of Aaranyak and Dr. Khanin Changmai underscored the critical role of community volunteers
during floods, noting that wild animals seek refuge and safety during such events.
They urged villagers to promptly inform the Forest Department whenever a distressed wildlife is
encountered and cautioned against certain actions that could endanger either people or animals in such an
emergency. They flagged the need for collaborative efforts between local communities and conservation
agencies to ensure the well-being of both people and wildlife.
The DFO Borah thanked Aaranyak for its sustained support to the Assam Forest Department and expressed hope
for continued collaboration with the organisation and grassroots-level volunteers in future conservation
initiatives.
Nayan Jyoti Gogoi, ACF and Niharika Gogoi, RO, also interacted with the participants and encouraged
active community involvement in conservation, wildlife rescue, and flood preparedness.
The programme concluded with an interaction during which volunteers shared their experiences, concerns,
and suggestions related to flood preparedness, wildlife rescue, and human–wildlife coexistence.
Participants expressed their views and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting conservation initiatives
and safeguarding wildlife during emergencies.
By Bijay Sankar Bora
