Guwahati: Keeping the commitment of ‘Bringing Back Manas”, 300 frontline forest staff and NGO volunteers were supported with essential field gear at a ceremonial schedule organised jointly by Assam Forest Department (AFD), Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) with the support of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) on Saturday.
The basic field gears were supported by WTI-IFAW to all the frontline forest staff of Raimona Range (Western), Central Range (Kachugaon), Sanfan Range and Athiabari Range (Eastern) including the 105 service providers of Green Forest Conservation under the Kachugaon Division.
The basic gears included 300 winter jackets, 100 sleeping bags, 20 rechargeable torch lights, 500 copies of Handbook on the 6th Edition of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, in Assamese language along with inverter sets.
This is an initiative to boost the morale and enhance anti-poaching patrolling conducted by the frontline staff of Manas Tiger Reserve.
Ranjit Basumatary, Executive Member, Forest, Bodoland Territorial Council, being the chief guest of the event said, “Manas is a unique example that proved bringing the old heritage back by multi-stakeholder approach in wildlife conservation. It is my privilege to be a part of this unique opportunity to share responsibilities with our frontline forest staff under Kachugaon division.”
Highlighting the context of proposed Raimona National Park, he also said, “I appeal to the Govt. of Assam for immediate notification in the official gazette about proposed ‘Raimona National Park, which will bring glory as a new feather in the crown on Manas wildlife landscape.”
It is to be mentioned here that the proposal to the Government of Assam for notification of ‘Raimona National Park’ covering 422 sq km area, a major chunk of Ripu Reserve Forest is already been submitted by the BTC Forest department.
The area has a century old history of management of forest having scope for conservation both at landscape and transboundary level with neighbouring Bhutan.
The event organised by Forest Department jointly with Wildlife Trust of India and International Fund for Animal Welfare (WTI-IFAW) was held at Jamduar IB under Kachugaon division of Manas Tiger Reserve.
