GUWAHATI: A distinguished primatologist Dr Dilip Chetry was bestowed with the prestigious “Parivesh Mitra Sanman 2023” award during the National Science Day celebrations organised by the Assam government.
The event, themed “Indigenous Technologies for Viksit Bharat”, was organised by the Science, Technology, and Climate Change Department in collaboration with the Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC), to recognise eminent personalities in the field of science and technology.
With over three decades of dedicated work in the field of primatology, Dr Chetry, the Vice-President at Aaranyak, a biodiversity conservation organisation, has been instrumental in spearheading conservation efforts, particularly focusing on the Hoolock Gibbon.
His contributions extend beyond research to encompass education and capacity-building initiatives for forest staff across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Tripura.
Dr Chetry, who also heads the Primates Research and Conservation Division since 2002, holds several prominent positions in national and international scientific bodies.
He serves as the Vice-Chair of the IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group of South Asia, an Executive member of the IUCN/SSC Small Ape Section, and a member of esteemed organisations such as the International Primatological Society and American Society of Primatology, among others.
Additionally, Dr. Chetry serves as the Director of the Gibbon Conservation Center at Aaranyak in Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary since 2004 and holds a position on the Board of Directors at the Scholars Institute of Technology and Management in Guwahati, Assam.
The award ceremony was graced by the presence of Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Keshab Mahanta, Minister of Science, Technology, and Climate Change Department of Assam Government, alongside other senior officials.
Dr Chetry’s remarkable contributions to wildlife conservation have been recognised by the Government of Assam, where he previously served as the Honorary Wildlife Warden and a member of the State Wildlife Board.
His scholarly endeavours are reflected in his extensive publication record, with over 45 research papers published in national and international journals.
