Guwahati, July 7:  One of India’s foremost biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak (www.aaranyak.org) today handed over raincoats, Garmin GPS and solar-powered ranger torch lights for the frontline forest staff of Dima Hasao District of Assam to encourage and facilitate well-being of the frontline forest staff whose relentless contributions have been key for biodiversity conservation.

The Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Dima Hasao Autonomous Council Debolal Gorlosa formally handed over the equipment to  Muanthang Thungung, Chief Conservator of Forests, Dima Hasao in presence of Dr Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, Secretary General cum CEO of Aaranyak in a function held at the conference hall of the CEM’s office in Haflong today.

Aaranyak has provided 250 raincoats, 10 Ranger’s torch lights, and 2 Global Positioning Systems to the forest department  of the council to support their conservation and protection activities.

Several EMs and MACs along with government officials were also present in the event where the CEM Gorlosa discussed about issues of forest and wildlife conservation in the district.

He encouraged Aaranyak to take up various studies and capacity building activities in the district to ensure long-term conservation of natural resources of the district. He also described various efforts of the council to secure the forests and wildlife.

Tuhin Langthasa, DFO East and  Tunu Langthasa, DFO West was also present in the meeting which was attended by Dr. Jayanta Kumar Sarma, Dr. Firoz Ahmed and Dr. Dipankar Lahkar from Aaranyak.

On the occasion, the research-driven conservation non-profit Aaranyak also handed over several photographs of the key wild animals to Gorlosa, which were photo-captured in various parts of Dima Hasao district recently.

It is worth mentioning that Aaranyak has been working in Dima Hasao district along with Karbi Anglong and Jaintia Hills over a large forested landscape to understand the natural resources use and status of forest conservation along with key wildlife with support from the US fish and Wildlife Service.

The study will help to understand forest conservation status and scenario about how local communities are dependent on the natural resources. This will further assist in future conservation planning of the natural resources of the district as well as to understand livelihood opportunities of the indigenous communities.

Aaranyak has been working closely with three Autonomous Councils of Assam, namely, Bodoland, Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao Autonomous Councils to support their efforts of forest and biodiversity conservation while ensuring sustainable livelihoods for local communities dependent on forest resources.