To complement the efforts of the personnel of Sonitpur East Forest Division to guard forest resources against plunderers, Aaranyak on Saturday gifted some field equipment for the division’s field staff.

The biodiversity conservation and research organization, Aaranyak, with support from David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF), handed over the equipment, including field shoes, torchlights and raincoats for the field staff of Sonitpur (East) Forest Division.

The organisation said during the COVID19 pandemic, the responsibility has increased manifold for the state forest department personnel in protecting wildlife and other forest resources as the police force is tied up busy maintaining law and order and enforcing COVID protocols.

The materials were handed over to the divisional forest officer (DFO), Suhas Kadam at the DFO office in Sonitpur by Arif Hussain, manager, Rhino Research and Conservation Division (RRCD) of Aaranyak.

The gift presentation ceremony was attended by assistant conservator of forest, Biswajeet Das, Babuli Hazarika, honorary wildlife warden of Bishwanath Wildlife Division and Saidur Rahman, the president of Upatyaka.

Over the years, Aaranyak has been complementing the efforts of the forest department across Assam by providing field gears for the frontline staff, which aids in carrying out their duty, the organization said in a statement.