The first-ever Satajan Bird Festival was organised at Pahumora on the bank of river Ranganadi near North Lakhimpur town in Lakhimpur district on Sunday.
The festival was organized by the Lakhimpur district administration in association with Lakhimpur Forest Division and various NGOs in a bid to protect the Satajan wetland from encroachment and other man-made disturbances.
The NGOs associated with the festival are Green Heritage, Xeujia Lakhimpur Amar Xopun, Assam Wildlife Rescue and Research Organisation (AWRRO).
The objective of the festival was to raise awareness among the local people, students and youths about the need for conservation of birds and their habitats.
Also read: Assam: North Lakhimpur to host Satajan Bird Festival on January 10
The festival was kicked off with a cycle rally from the venue site off Ranganadi river in Pahumora.
This was followed by a bird watching programme, led by eminent bird-watching guide Firoz Hussain from Jorhat.
Black Face Bunting was spotted for the first time in Satatjan wetland during the bird watching programme on Sunday.
An art competition for school children and a photography exhibition was also organized at the venue of the bird festival near the Satajan wetland.
Later, a popular talk on bird and wetland, and an interactive session with students were held at the auditorium of the District Library, Lakhimpur.
Eminent conservationist and Padma Shri awardee Jadav Payeng, noted environmentalist and ex-deputy commissioner of Lakhimpur Dr. Anwaruddin Chawdhury, bird watching guide Firoz Hussain and Debojit Phukan of Megamix Nature Club Dhakuwakhona attended the session.
Lakhimpur development commissioner Manoj Kumar Bora and agriculture scientist Dr. Prabal Saikia also attended the function.
The entire festival was coordinated by Geetashree Doley, forest range officer, North Lakhimpur with active support from Bikul Goswami of Green Heritage and volunteers of Xeujia Lakhimpur Amar Xopun, Assam Wildlife Rescue and Research Organisation (AWRRO).