Guwahati: A large group of high school students from fringe areas participated in the fifth consecutive annual Orang Nature Camp, held from January 30 to February 2, 2026 at the Orang National Park and Tiger Reserve (ONP&TR).
The camp was organised under the aegis of Aaranyak and Orang Tiger Reserve Authority in collaboration with local organisation Wild Wings and with support from the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF).
The four-day residential awareness programme conducted amid the natural surroundings of the national park acquainted the participating students with importance of nature and wildlife conservation.
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This platform also enabled students to interact with experts working in the field of nature and wildlife conservation who, through their presentations and talks strived to encourage students to make it a part of their life to work for the betterment of Orang Tiger Reserve in their vicinity and the nature as a whole.
The programme was inaugurated on January 30 by Pradipta Baruah, Director of Orang Tiger Reserve in presence of Dr. Debo Kumar Dutta, Senior scientist and Deputy Director of Rhino Research and Conservation Division (RRCD) of Aaranyak; Bijay Sankar Bora, Publicity Secretary of Aaranyak; Swapan Nath, conservationist from Kaziranga; Nejib Ahmed of Wild Wings and Arif Hussain, Senior Manager of RRCD, Aaranyak.
During his interaction with students, Pradipta Baruah highlighted the rich biodiversity of Orang and stressed the crucial role of the younger generation in conserving natural resources.
Dr. Debo Kumar Dutta and Bijay Sankar Bora spoke about the significant roles the students can play to compliment the conservation efforts, while Arif Hussain outlined the key objectives of the nature camp.
33 students and three teachers from seven schools namely, Sialmari High School, Bechimari ME School, Keramot Ali, ME School, Dokhin Borsola High School, Ballav Bhai Higher Secondary, Fatasimolu ME School and Royal Brilliant Academy, participated in this awareness programme.
The resource persons attending the programme included Pradipta Baruah, Dr. Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, Executive Director & Secretary General, Aaranyak’s senior scientists Abdul Wakid and Dr. Deba Kumar Dutta; Swapan Nath, Nejib Ahmed, Arif Hussain, senior Aaranyak officials Dr. Dipankar Lahkar and Arup Kumar Das; researchers of Aaranyak Rabiya Daimari, Gayatri Dutta, Kaushik Rajbongshi, Hirak Jyoti Das and Pranjit Deka.
A Forester Grade I officer delivered lectures on various awareness and conservation topics.
The camp featured interactive sessions such as PowerPoint presentations, environmental games, group presentation, nature trail and park safari and conservation drama.
All the student participants were provided kits, education materials and certificates on conclusion of the nature camp.
Several local conservationists and community members, including Baharul Islam, President of Fatasimolu EDC, Khairul Basher, and Aaranyak staff and volunteers, supported the event. The students were accompanied by teachers Bimal Chandra Das, Khojasing Teron and Basitan Nessa from participating schools.
