The Centre for Environment Education (CEE), a Centre of Excellence of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, recently conducted a Nature Orientation Camp at Jornagara, Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary in Kokrajhar.
The camp was held with the support of Forest and Tourism Department, Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) with participation of 140 students and 16 teachers from 12 schools of Kokrajhar.
As a follow-up event, the CEE organised the International Day for Biological Diversity 2018 celebrating 25 years of action for biodiversity with support from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).
Involving community members from Jornagara, Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary, in the event held in Tapovan, was graced by Prof Dhananjoy Narzary from the Botany Department of Kokrajhar Government College, Bimal Narzary, in-charge, Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary, Dr Daoharu Boro of WTI, MVS, Mahesh Barman, secretary, Dawka Raja NGO, Someshwar Rabha, village headman, Jornaragra, Rajarshi Das, programme coordinator of EdEn, Tinsukia.
Pradeep Boro, programme officer, CEE, calling upon wider participation from community members, highlighted the unique biodiversity of Chakrashila WLS. Home to the critically endangered Golden Langur, Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary is mainly a hilly tract running north-south having two wetlands (Dheer Beel and Diplai Beel) on either side, which are integral to the eco-system of the sanctuary.
The interaction on topics ranged from integrated community participation, awareness campaigns, protection groups, rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife, identification of unknown species and outreach programmes for a sustainable approach towards conservation and development.
With effects of climate change and anthropogenic interference already making its presence felt in critical habitats, the need of aid and action for conservation of biological diversity is not just a need of the hour but a wake-up call to secure the future of our upcoming generations.
The nature camp with students and teachers and action plan with community members is a small step towards a larger objective of protecting Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary in Kokrajhar.