Assam Forest department on Tuesday organised Shramdaan, Wetland Mitra registration, Birding and interactive talks as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav at Deepor Beel in Guwahati.
Deepor Beel is the only Ramsar site of Assam.
To elicit a response from volunteers for conservation of wetlands, the Central government has initiated the concept of Wetland Mitra.
The programme started off with the pledge taking of ‘Wetland Mitras’ in Assamese and Shramdaan in presence of Environment & Forest minister Parimal Suklabaidya.
Dr Alka Bhargav PCCF & HoFF Assam; Dr. Amit Sahai, PCCF Wildlife Assam; Dr. Uma Dutta, Dean I/c Life Sciences, Cotton University and other senior Forest officials at Deepor Beel at Tower Camp, Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary under Guwahati Wildlife Division were also present at the event.
The main attraction for the students was a Birding activity organized with assistance from NGO Help Earth to familiarise students with the resident avifauna and migratory birds.
Interactive talk on the two iconic species- Elephant and Greater Adjutant Stork (designated as Wetland Ambassadors for Deepor Beel) was given by Padmashri Dr. Kushal Konwar Sarma and Hargila Baidu, Dr. Purnima Devi Barman respectively.
The interactive education and awareness programme to celebrate “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” received active participation of UG, PG students from Cotton University, High school students of nearby schools, NGOs-Rongmon, Help Earth and Wetland Mitras.