Campaign for Manas enters Phase-II

Ron Duarah

DIBRUGARH, Jan 13 – ‘Save Manas’ is the buzzword for the Bodoland Infrastructure Development Company (BIDC), a joint venture of Bodoland Territorial Council , and IL&FS, a financial and industrial consultancy firm. A World heritage site, Manas covers an area of 519.77 sq km of unique faunal features and the rarest species. Large scale destruction of the Park during the insurgency period has taken a heavy toll on its fabric. UNESCO has declared it as World Heritage Site in danger, which is a matter of deep concern to the entire State of Assam all well as rest of India.

The campaign initiated by BIDC is aimed to restore the Park and bring back its past glory and charm. As a part of this campaign, an inaugural session was held on January 8 at Guwahati, where the speakers included Assam chief minister, Tarun Gogoi.

The initiative aims at creating awareness for conservation and development of infrastructure to promote conservation and of course creation of tourism opportunities. A comprehensive infrastructure development programme is being taken up, which includes replantation, translocation of animals, creation of anti-poaching infrastructure, tourism infrastructure development in Manas peripheries like Panbari, Bansbari, Kokilabari. The programme also entails involving the local NGOs for conservation and sustenance. The objective is to conserve the Park, involve local communities and to create tourism opportunity in the area in line with overall fabric of Wildlife of Assam.

Adding a bit of glamour to the campaign is the association of Angaraag Mahanta and Zubin Garg, both successful singers. Both have agreed to be the "brand ambassadors" for the Save Manas Campaign.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi highlighted the importance of Tourism for the State and that Manas in particular has to be treated as an invaluable asset to Assam, and stressed on the need to conserve the park and its contents. Minister for tourism & forests, Rockybul Hussain talked about the initiatives taken by the State Government for tourism development in the State.

Shyamkanu Mahanta, chief executive officer of BIDC and also the organiser of the event spoke about the comprehensive infrastructure development programme that is taken up with creation of anti-poaching infrastructure, tourism infrastructure development in Manas' peripheries like Panbari, Bansbari, Kokilabari. He said locals and NGOs have to join the bandwagon for conservation and sustenance of the State’s natural resources.

The deputy chief of BTC, Kampa Borgoyari spoke about the conservation measures taken up in Manas. He informed that Rs.35 crore has been sanctioned by DoNER for development of Manas. He appealed to the decision makers, citizens, media and all stakeholders to come together to save the national heritage. He stated that more can be done in Manas if Forest Department is handed over to the Council.

Aniruddha Mokerjee, senior director, Wildlife Trust of India, spoke about the organization's efforts in translocation of rhinos to Manas and other initiatives for Manas National Park. The audio-video presentation on the work of Maozigendri Eco Tourism Society's successful efforts to convert past poachers to protectors kept the audience enthralled.