On the occasion of World Wildlife Day, premier biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak (www.aaranyak.org) conducted a bird-watching event, a cleanliness drive and a movie-screening event at Kohora River Basin in Karbi Anglong district of Assam on March 3.

These activities were aimed at raising awareness among the village youth about the importance of bird conservation and igniting their interest in observing different bird species.

The birdwatching event was followed by a ‘clean the village’ drive led by participants, reinforcing the significance of maintaining a clean environment for birds and other wildlife.

The event was attended by six youths from the Nature Camp, where they were introduced to the deep cultural connections between the ethnic Karbi community and the birds of the region.

They also learned about community-led conservation efforts, basic handling of birdwatching equipment and techniques for identifying birds in the wild. Over the course of an hour, the participants successfully identified 25 different bird species, gaining hands-on experience in wildlife observation.

As part of the celebration, two films—Manas and People (মানাহ আৰু মানুহ) and Delhi Safari—were screened at Phumen Engti village for 72 participants from nearby villages.

While “Manas and People” explored the relationship between communities and forests, “Delhi Safari” delivered a conservation message through an engaging animated story. The screenings helped raise awareness about wildlife protection in an accessible and impactful way.

The event successfully combined education, hands-on experience, and entertainment to foster a deeper appreciation for wildlife conservation among the local youth and community members.

Aaranyak is committed towards the conservation of biodiversity, ecosystems and supporting the indigenous communities residing in Kaziranga- Karbi Anglong Landscape and Manas Landscape through promotion of alternative and sustainable livelihood activities, education and awareness. The initiative is supported by IUCN-Kfw and US Fish and Wildlife Service.