GUWAHATI: In a pioneering initiative, members of the Village Defence Party (VDP) in Majuli, Assam, are gearing up to play a vital role in biodiversity conservation on the famed river island.
Superintendent of Police (SP) of Majuli, Vivekananda Das, underscored the importance of the grassroots community in safeguarding the region’s rich biodiversity during an “Interaction and Field Gears Distribution” programme held recently.
Organised by the biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak, in collaboration with Majuli District Police and Majuli Forest Division, with support from Zoo Berlin, the programme aimed to engage VDP members in both their mandated responsibilities and wildlife protection.
During the event, SP Das commended Aaranyak for facilitating such an initiative, expressing hope for more collaborative efforts in the future.
Dr Bibhuti Prasad Lahkar, a senior scientist at Aaranyak, provided insights on coexistence with wildlife, conflict mitigation techniques, and understanding wild animal behaviours.
Bitul Chetia, Additional SP of Majuli, Dr Deba Kumar Dutta, a senior manager at Aaranyak, and other representatives engaged in discussions with the VDP members, addressing local issues and challenges they face.
The participants found the dialogue fruitful, believing it would positively impact their future efforts.
To equip VDP members for their dual roles, field gear, including chargeable spotlights and raincoats, were distributed to 30 members, supported by Zoo Berlin.
The programme also saw the participation of Deputy Forest Range Officer of Majuli, Bandan Duori, along with forest personnel and the Circle Organiser (CO), VDO of the island.
As Majuli continues to thrive with its cultural and natural diversity, this collaborative effort is anticipated to be a proactive step toward ensuring the harmonious coexistence of the local community with the unique wildlife inhabiting this river island.
